Maryland bills still to be settled: Budget, wind, casinos

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

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

ANNAPOLIS — With just a week left in the 2012 General Assembly session, lawmakers have hundreds of bills left to consider. But only a handful of proposals will get most of their attention.

The House and Senate still must approve a joint version of the state budget, which they are required to do before adjourning Monday. Legislators also will consider bills that would implement offshore-wind energy and set up a referendum on whether to allow table games and a new casino in Prince George’s County.

A conference committee of House and Senate representatives got to work Monday on hashing out the dozens of differences between their budget packages. They could finish as early as Wednesday.

Lawmakers addressed some of minor budget discrepancies Monday but were expected to hold off on the chambers’ most notable disagreements, which include competing proposals to raise income taxes and gradually shift half the cost of teacher pensions from the state to the counties.

Last month, the Senate approved across-the-board income-tax hikes while the House opted for a lesser set of increases that would affect only single residents making more than $100,000 a year and couples making more than $150,000.

The House endorsed a more aggressive approach toward shifting pension costs, approving an eventual 50-50 split phased in over three years; the Senate’s proposal would do it over four years.

The sides are expected to reach some sort of middle ground on the tax increases but likely will have to choose between the pension proposals, said Sen. George C. Edwards, adding that he thinks the four-year pension shift would be fairer to counties.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

We’re almost at the end again!

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[Vince Ferrer]

If they could gamble on jousting, that would be cool.