House Passes Budget Package

The House of Delegates closed a three day special session today, passing a package of bills that address budget issues left unresolved at the end of their regular session and raising taxes on certain people. WYPR’s Joel McCord reports.

The budget package increases income taxes on the top 14 percent of Maryland wage earners and dramatically raises taxes on cigars and smokeless tobacco products. House Minority leader Tony O’Donnell said it violates the wishes of the Founding Fathers.

“It wasn’t about socialism, it was about free people not being subservient to a government and not being dependent on a government. And yet that’s where many of us fear we are going.”

Yet Doyle Niemann, a Prince Georges Democrat said such suggestions show “an appalling lack of understanding of history.” Top tax rates have been much higher—28 percent during the Reagan administration.

The package also reverses $500 million worth of spending cuts in what became known as the "Doomsday" budget. 

Lawmakers expect to return this summer to deal with a bill to expand gambling.

I’m Joel McCord, reporting in Annapolis for 88.1, WYPR.