One law could increase race days at Ocean Downs
Members of the Maryland House and Senate reached an agreement on budget tax increases and Eastern Shore lawmakers addressed local bills, including one that could eventually increase race days at Ocean Downs, this week as the 2024 session’s April 8 conclusion approaches.
On Monday, Gov. Wes Moore (D) issued a proclamation that the General Assembly’s legislative session could be extended for up to ten days if the Senate and House continued to disagree on the state’s $63 billion budget.
While the Senate refrained from imposing additional taxes, the House approved more than $1 billion in fee surges to help fund the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the costly mandated state education plan, and the Transportation Trust Fund. Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C) said the increases included raising the vehicle excise tax from 6% to 6.5%.
However, on Wednesday, the two bodies came to an agreement. The legislative session will come to an end on April 8, as originally scheduled. While the approved budget maintains some tax increases, such as on tobacco products and vehicle registration fees, House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-1B) assures that the more “broad-based and draconian tax increases have been avoided.” The vehicle excise tax, for instance, will not be raised.
“We are grateful that ultimately, cooler heads prevailed during the budget negotiations,” House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (R-4) said. “Our Caucus will continue to advocate for less taxes, lower fees, and a more affordable state in which to live, work, and raise a family.”
Why does the State have any say over when a private racetrack can operate? The granting or denial of racing dates is just a huge opportunity for bribery. Of course, that’s nothing new for Maryland.
We are just free range humans on a government tax farm.