A Maryland state government budget that creates a new tax and raises others is closer to reality, following approval in the House of Delegates on Wednesday. Delegates spent three intense hours debating the measures, with Democrats insisting that they made difficult but responsible choices and Republicans saying that the state is spending beyond its means and driving businesses out of Maryland. The budget bills now move to the state Senate, which is planning several changes to the bills, including differences in some of the spending cuts, not including combined reporting for businesses and adding in contingency plans for if Congress cuts federal aid that the state receives.
On transportation: To boost transportation funding, House members also voted to increase the vehicle excise tax from 6 percent to 6.8 percent, move up planned vehicle registration fee increases by one year, increase vehicle emission fees from $14 to $30, establish a 3.5 percent excise tax for short-term vehicle rentals and double vehicle titling fees.
