Progress made on Maryland revenue package

The Washington Times ^ | May 2, 2012 | David Hill

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

ANNAPOLIS — The General Assembly likely will return May 14 for a two- or three-day special session on a revenue package including income-tax increases and a shift of state-paid teacher-pension costs onto counties, state officials said Wednesday.

Democratic leaders say the extra revenues are needed to bolster the state’s $35.4 billion spending plan and undo more than $500 million in cuts that went into effect when last-minute bickering caused the assembly to adjourn April 9 without passing two key revenue bills.

The House and Senate still have slightly differing proposals to raise taxes, but leaders said they are making progress and hope to have an agreement before the session begins.

“We’re still working on that,” Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. said. “It’s not a question of myself and [House Speaker Michael E. Busch]; it’s a question of the House conferees and the Senate conferees sitting down and working over the details.”

The state has not formally set a date for the special session, but Mr. Miller said it will start May 14 and representatives for Gov. Martin O'Malley said that will probably be the date.

Mr. Miller, Prince George’s Democrat, met Wednesday morning with Senate Democrats to address the special session, during which the chamber’s budget negotiators are expected to push for broader income tax hikes than those favored by the House.

The House has sought to raise taxes only on single residents making $100,000 or more and couples making $150,000 or more, while the Senate has pushed to set the thresholds at $75,000 and $125,000.

The issue has been the most significant disagreement between the two chambers.

Mr. Busch, Anne Arundel Democrat, said he plans to meet in coming days with House Democrats to discuss their approach.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[ConorMacNessa]

Watch your wallets and purses! The Legislature is going back into session!!



Thieves, Hypocrites and Liars!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Jacquerie]

shift of state-paid teacher-pension costs onto counties,

It is safe to assume counties will not have the option of changing the terms of the retirement packages of current retirees or current school system employees. As we descend into banana republicanism, local government will increasingly be perceived as guarantors of the oppressor class of the entitled.

In CA, IL, MD, . . . only chumps don't "work" for government.

[razorback-bert]

Hmmm, appears they want to do away with marriage.

[hal ogen]

Maryland... THE Freak state.

[cherry]

well good...it’ll hit the teachers bracket nicely....let them feel the heavy burden of taxation that they help create...

[Viking2002]

Yeah, that's the ticket, you tax-jacking, gun-grabbing asshats. Dump the burden of union pensions on the counties while you fleece anyone who had the temerity to actually aspire to something greater in life than as a shift manager at Burger King. Meanwhile, back in my hometown........

'Allegany County To Eliminate Department - Commissioners Not Yet Announcing Which'

What liberals call 'progress', the rest of us call 'sodomy'.........

"As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

--H.L. Mencken, The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920