“Shame on them for not doing the people’s work in the time frame that they had… They raise our taxes, we put less food on the table,” said a Carroll County protester. Senate President Mike Miller says, “It would have been nice if we could have got it done in the 90-day session.”
It’s here: The special session has arrived, bringing with it talks of tax hikes on the wealthiest Marylanders, pushback from conservatives and attempts to throw in other legislation, including a non-discrimination bill targeting pit bulls; restaurants can soon allow patrons to bring their own wine; Del. Jacobs outlines opposition to gay marriage law, while U.S. Rep. Hoyer says he’ll fight to keep law; President Obama to hold two fundraisers in Baltimore; Henson found guilty on one count; many “temporary” Montgomery laws become permanent; and Carroll commissioner sends out prayer service invites to county employees.
Proponents hope President Obama’s support of gay marriage will boost chances of upholding Maryland’s law while opponents say it won’t help; meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Hoyer also comes out for gay marriage; with the special session, tax increases and shift in teacher pension costs seen on the horizon; 2011 audit finds problems with number of agency’s take-home vehicles; and Henson jury continues deliberation.
While the governor has touted Maryland’s comparatively low tax burden on its high income populace, some groups are concerned that the income tax hikes proposed for next week’s special session will harm Maryland’s national rankings on taxes and business climate.
O’Malley officially calls special session with deal on income tax hikes; Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage could change dynamic of Maryland referendum; Frederick commissioner ignores ethics advice; O’Malley to set up gambling commission that will report back before August; school suspensions mount for kindergarteners; state child support worker caught taking bribe; hours reduced at post offices rather than closing them.
Maryland has some of the lowest taxes in the country, Gov. Martin O’Malley said Wednesday officially announcing plans to call a special session of the legislature to fix a budget impasse — partially by raising taxes.
With a referendum on Maryland’s same-sex marriage looming in November, President Obama may have shaken the dynamic in the state on Wednesday as he openly endorsed same-sex marriage. Supporters of gay marriage say it gave them a boost, but opponents trying to get the law on the ballot were undeterred.
Civil rights group files anti-redistricting suit claiming racial bias; what to expect when you’re expecting a special session: Lawmakers and the Big Three preview; Baltimore schools expect furloughs under doomsday scenario; emails reveal close relationship between Gov. O’Malley and Perdue lawyer; more discussion on the pit bull ruling; and Julius Henson wraps up robocall testimony.
Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich was in professor mode Tuesday afternoon as he made his annual visit to a political persuasion class at Towson University taught by his friend, Professor Rick Vatz. Ehrlich, Mitt Romney’s Maryland campaign chair, prodded students on how they would sell their candidate — faults and all — no matter which side they supported.
Although national polls show more are accepting gay marriage, whenever the issue is put to voters, gay activists always lose; the most interesting aspect of the November vote in Maryland just may be the social issues on the ballot; as special session nears, mixed feelings over possible outcomes; pit bull advocates seek bill overturning recent ruling for special session; chef urges widening school breakfast program; and O’Malley labor secretary takes Baltimore City job.
Recent Comments