OC Dispatch: Legislators Promise No Tax Increases

OC Dispatch: Legislators Promise No Tax Increases

By Shawn J. Soper, News Editor

Originally published September 5, 2008

OCEAN CITY – State lawmakers this week warned the current budget situation in Maryland could be worse this year than last when a special General Assembly session was called to address the problem, but each said further reductions in spending would likely supersede any new tax increases.

Ocean City’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) hosted a legislative meeting with several of the area’s state representatives this week to discuss the burning issues facing the General Assembly in the upcoming session. While the slots issue dominated much of the meeting, no less important was the discussion on the state’s burgeoning structural deficit, which is expected to come in at around $500 million again this year.

Of course, the two issues go hand in hand with slots being counted on in some circles to inject millions of dollars in new revenue into the state’s economy should voters decide in November to approve the gaming machines. Short of that, state lawmakers will likely have to make drastic cuts in spending to offset the budget shortfalls this year as raising existing taxes or creating new one does not appear to be an option.

Just one year removed from a special session during which Governor Martin O’Malley’s sweeping tax reform package was passed by the General Assembly in answer to the state’s deficit problem, many of the lawmakers in attendance at the EDC meeting on Wednesday said there is neither the political will nor the public support to suggest new tax increases again this year.

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20080905 OC Dispatch Legislators promise no tax increase