But along with the usual talk of “tough choices” and “moving forward,” Gov. Martin O’Malley’s State of the State Address is likely to tout that he balanced his proposed fiscal 2015 budget with “no new taxes or fees.” Thank God, most Marylanders would agree, but not Vinny DeMarco, persistent advocate of higher taxes on cigarettes and booze for the sake of public health as president of Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative.
Day: January 22, 2014
Target to cancel health insurance for hundreds of Md. employees, directs them to exchanges
Hundreds — if not thousands — of Maryland Target employees will lose their health insurance benefits April 1 and are being directed instead to state exchanges created through President Obama’s health care reform law. The national retail giant announced a new company-wide policy this week to discontinue health insurance coverage for all store part-time employees.
State Roundup, January 22, 2014
The state Senate OKs an emergency plan to help those without insurance thanks to the glitches in the health exchange and bill is now sent to the House for a vote; U.S. Rep. Delaney, who has been beating the drum for a federal solution to the state’s health exchange problems, has finally gotten a response from the state health secretary on why his idea won’t work; mental health panel makes recommendations to ensure no breaks in care; estate tax relief on the agenda; increased education aid to local governments; move afoot to quash MDE plans to curb NOx emissions; marijuana legalization debate begins to take shape; state Sen. Brochin to face opponents backed by O’Malley, Ehrlich; snow delays include stormwater repeal hearing, school beg-a-thon and Larry Hogan’s campaign rally – although he formally announced run for governor; and a “draft Ben Carson for president” movement gets high public profile in Baltimore City.
Audit: Assessments & Taxation Dept. doesn’t inspect property to assess values as often as required; doesn’t audit personal property tax returns or credits
The state Assessments and Taxation Department hasn’t performed regular physical inspections of individual properties to support property assessments as required by state law for “many years,” legislative auditors found.
The department also did not audit or review business personal property tax returns or homeowner tax credits, according to an audit report released last month.
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