Posted on 01/12/2012 8:21:03 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
ANNAPOLIS —Gov. Martin O'Malley surprised Maryland lawmakers Wednesday by suggesting an increase in the state sales tax, jump-starting the 2012 General Assembly on what was expected to be a largely ceremonial first day.
Mr. O'Malley suggested increasing the tax from 6 percent to 7 percent as an alternative to a 15-cent increase in the gas tax that has been widely discussed by legislators but poorly received by many residents.
Democratic leaders have said they are likely to raise taxes this session to help pay for roads, schools and other infrastructure projects. Lawmakers last raised the sales tax during the 2007 special session, when Mr. O'Malley led an effort to increase it from 5 percent to 6 percent.
“No one in our state lost a house, lost a job or lost a business because of the additional penny on the sales tax,” the governor said. “These bridges don’t build themselves. … If we want to build a better country for our kids, that’s how we have to do it.”
The Democrat-controlled General Assembly otherwise opened with smiles, laughs and handshakes, giving lawmakers a day of calm in a 90-day session expected to be filled with debates about tax increases and same-sex marriage, among other issues.
The House and Senate each convened for an hour with speeches to appoint party leaders and welcome federal, state and local elected officials who had come to watch the ceremonies. Among them were Republican Andy Harris and Democrat Chris Van Hollen, former state senators who now serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The unanimous reappointment of Delegate Michael E. Busch, Anne Arundel Democrat, as House speaker for a 10th General Assembly session distinguished him as the Maryland lawmaker serving the longest in that post.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
At least a rise in sale tax is up front, out in the open and fair to everybody
Typical of the greedy, selfish, power-drunk Marty Boy.
That's utterly dishonest. Democrats are likely to raise taxes because they're greedy, selfish, uncaring people who only care about controlling as much of everyone else's lives as they possibly can. Any other reason the give is a flat-out LIE.
Any liberal who says he's trying to help other people is a liar.
I honestly don’t believe that a 15-cent increase in the gas tax by these particular people will make our roads any better. They steal from the transportation budget routinely (D and R alike), and then they blow half of the remainder on mass transit.
A Democrats answer to everything is to raise taxes.
“At least a rise in sale tax is up front, out in the open and fair to everybody”
You’re right; unlike income tax or property taxes, EVERYONE pays. People here in NJ were bellyaching about recent toll increases; as someone who rarely uses those roads, I wholeheartedly support taxing the people who DO use them.
A 20% increase in 2007, to be followed by a 16-1/2% increase in 2012. That’s a 40% increase in sales taxes in only 5 years. It must be good times in Maryland.
The county income tax was 50% of state when I left. So when I moved to Georgia, which has no county tax where I live, this was like a 3% pay boost.
Have been in contact with friends still suffering there. Not only have they been getting higher property taxes (raised), higher electric rates (raised) but now this.
And, if I am not mistaken, even Santa Claus is banned.
Maryland seems to be on track to compete with California and Illinois to win the beloved title of Progressive Democratic Taxaholic State.
Of course it won't, but that's not the objective.
Suckerz! Pay yer taxes!
I’ve been hearing about this.
Far be it that Maryland Gubbermint would actually cut anything!
Pretty soon, Marylanders will be fleeing to such conservative bastions as New York and Massachusetts.
That'd be like going from one hot frying pan into another.
Many have been fleeing to Texas, here in Georgia and Florida. Just as the flight from New York and MA continues.
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