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2016 Session Update - Week Eleven Edition
Things are Heating Up
As the last day of session nears, things are heating up. Monday, March 21st was crossover day--the deadline for each chamber to pass legislation and send it to the other chamber to ensure passage this session.
A Chat with Constituents
The Carroll County Delegation had the privilege of meeting with a group from Leadership Carroll. Leadership Carroll is a joint initiative between the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Community College. The program provides businesses and community members with leadership training and an extensive education on the history of our community. Leadership Carroll enables its members to tackle current issues with an understanding of their historical context. Members include government employees, small business owners, and non-profit workers.
Triumph for Transparency
I am pleased to announce that my bill, House Bill 217 Open Meetings Act - Requirements for Agendas, passed the House. Under this bill, government organizations will be required to post their agendas at least 24 hours before meeting whenever possible. If an agenda is altered or an emergency meeting is called, the agenda must be posted as soon as it is available.
This legislation is a great victory in our quest for accountability and transparency in the government. Now, the bill will move to the Senate. Here's to hoping my colleagues in the Senate vote to keep our governments working openly for the people.
Governor Hogan's Budget Passes the House
This week we approved Gov. Larry Hogan's $42 billion operating budget, with a bipartisan plan that moved through the General Assembly with the greatest of ease.
For the second time in two years, the budget passed without any funding gimmicks and, most importantly, without new taxes and an additional $4 million dollars allocated to Carroll County Public Schools.
The budget funds all of Maryland's priorities while still maintaining a surplus of $415 million.
Governor Hogan praised the legislature's passage of the budget, but said he remains concerned about reductions in the state's rainy-day fund and about whether lawmakers would approve his bill to weaken spending mandates during economic hard times.
I share Governor Hogan's concerns about bills passed this session that would mandate new future spending.
Tax Cuts - A Tale of Two Chambers
The Maryland Senate has sent the House a tax relief package that would save Maryland families $100 million per year when fully implemented. Senate Bill 840 -Income Tax - Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Earned Income Tax Credit reduces income tax rates for high earners, expands the Earned Income Tax Credit for the working poor, and increases the income tax exemption for middle-income families.
However, t
here is concern that the House will not pass the Senate's comprehensive tax relief measures. So far, the only tax reduction that passed the House was House Bill 452, - Earned Income Tax Credit - Expansion which expands the Earned Income Tax Credit.
House Bill 1252 - Corporate Income Tax - Single Sales Factor Apportionment a measure that reduces taxes on some businesses (like casinos) but increases taxes for others (like agriculture), I opposed this bill.
There does not appear, at least at this juncture, to be an appetite for comprehensive tax relief among the Democratic Leadership in the House of Delegates. We are strongly encouraging our colleagues to let the tax package be voted on in the House.
Happy Easter
I would like to wish you all a very happy Easter. At this time of renewal, I hope you are enjoying sunshine, warmer days and the beauty of nature with family and friends. As I head into the final days of session, the renewed dedication to serve my constituents and support Governor Hogan as we all work together to change Maryland for the better.
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