Is a bill targeting online travel companies creating a new tax on services, as opponents claim, or an attempt to close a loophole and collect sales tax on hotel charges the companies are pocketing for themselves?
Those are the key issues the state Senate will be debating Friday as it takes up SB190 that passed out of its Budget and Taxation Committee Wednesday.
“Power to the criminal,” said the legislator standing on the House floor, shaking his fist in the air. “This is the year of the criminal, apparently.”
It is not unusual for Del. Patrick McDonough, the populist conservative from Middle River, to be the lone rabble rouser on legislation.
But Thursday morning’s display of confusion and upset stemmed from his belief that more and more bills this year are rewarding criminals with earlier releases or softer penalties.
The House of Delegates passed a $40 billion state budget in an overwhelming 129-10 vote, but 10 Republicans still found reason to reject a budget that was 99% the proposal of a Republican governor. But many Republicans voted for their first state budget in years.
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House of Delegates give initial OK to budget, restoring education funding, state worker raises; Hogan administration, General Assembly reach compromise on chicken manure legislation; bill would extend fertility benefits to lesbian couples; legislation would add human trafficking as a defense in prostitution charge; Van Hollen switches on Social Security; Del. Jay Walker considers congressional run; and Emily’s List backs Rep. Edwards in race for Sen. Mikulski’s seat.
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