Senate President Bill Ferguson

The 2.5% tax would cover accounting, landscaping, and valet parking, among others.

Protesters wonder if the party is using the right tactics.

Legislative leaders say the cuts are necessary to prepare for likely cuts in federal spending.

The Democrat is sponsoring legislation that would remove trash incineration’s classification as renewable energy.

Gov. Wes Moore is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the State address Wednesday at noon.

The package focuses on creating more in-state electricity generation.

“I think this is going to be a very, very challenging year to siphon off some of the state sales tax for specific jurisdictions,” Ferguson told reporters.

As the General Assembly opened its 90-day session, the governor and legislators offered different options for filling a nearly $3 billion deficit.

Concerns about the incoming Trump administration are also likely to feature during 90 days of lawmaking.

The Maryland senate president says new taxes should be part of the state’s plan to deal with the deficit when the legislature returns to Annapolis in January.