Sen. Carozza “cautiously encouraged” that new B2B tax won’t come to pass
Maryland’s governor says a proposal for a new business-to-business tax that could have raised billions in revenue is off the table, but leadership in the legislature says that’s not possible in the face of a massive revenue shortfall.
When asked if a new service tax would be added to this year’s budget, Senate President Bill Ferguson on Tuesday told reporters “it has to be.”
“The revenue has to be accounted for. And so, in the budget together, the framework will be outlined,” he said. “I think everything is fluid until it’s not. I would say, until there’s a final deal, it’s important to note that we are in good conversation,” with lawmakers and the governor’s office.
The legislation would have implemented a 2.5% tax on business-to-business industries from accounting to photography to car repair. State lawmakers in both the House (HB 1554) and Senate (SB 1045) had introduced the proposal in companion bills in late February, as the deadline to file bills approached. But last week, a public outcry against the service tax proposal arose, with testimony decrying the plan lasting hours in committee hearings.
More than 100 opponents to the legislation voiced their concerns in person, plus nearly 400 more protested in writing. Among those were the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, the Worcester County Commissioners, and the Maryland Tourism Coalition.
“It is certainly a bad bill for businesses,” said Ruth Toomey, executive director of the Maryland Tourism Coalition. “While it is dead for this year, I am sure it will be back, or another version will be back next year. Unfortunately, Maryland is facing a major deficit and this also means that there will be cuts in other places.”
“While it is dead for this year, I am sure it will be back, or another version will be back next year. Unfortunately, Maryland is facing a major deficit and this also means that there will be cuts in other places.”
Again, as many of us want to know, where did the $3-5 billion go that Hogan left you ??????
Can Harris or Carozza tells us that ????
Can’t blame it on President Trump. He has only been in office for 2 months !!!!!!
Hasn’t Moore been in office for 2 years ?????