ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland General Assembly approved some of its most hotly debated bills in the final hours of the 2011 session Monday night, ramming through measures that would grant lower tuition rates to illegal immigrants and raise the sales tax on alcohol by 50 percent in July. The Senate and House spent much of the day trying to reconcile two bills that would grant in-state tuition to students who are illegal immigrants. The chambers voted just after 9 p.m. on a compromise that would require students to complete community college and prove that their parents have filed Maryland income taxes for at least three years before qualifying for the lower tuition rates.
“These young people who finish high school and two years of a community college now have something to work for … and [won’t] just end up in dead-end jobs,” said Sen. Paul Pinsky, D-Prince George’s County.
The assembly also approved a 50 percent increase on the alcohol sales tax, which would take effect in July and add about 30 cents to every $10 of alcohol. The bill would increase the alcohol sales tax from 6 percent to 9 percent and generate about $85 million in the first year, with about $15 million going to services for people with developmental disabilities.Other revenue would be divided among Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Baltimore City schools.
| Last-minute legislation |
| • Lawmakers approved a bill that would enable people caught carrying less than an ounce of marijuana to avoid a $100 fine and misdemeanor if they prove they have a debilitating disease. Patients must produce a doctor’s note in court that says they were using the drugs for medical reasons, according to the bill. |
| • The General Assembly approved a scaled-back version of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed venture capital fund for high-tech businesses. |
| • Legislation passed that would allow people to dine outside at restaurants with their dogs. |
| • The Senate voted 27-20 to send a proposal protecting transgendered individuals from housing and employment discrimination back to a Senate committee, effectively killing it. |
Lawmakers closed a $1.6 billion budget gap by increasing fees, transferring funds between bank accounts and requiring state employees to pay more for pension and health benefits, among other measures.
The pension changes, based on proposals from Gov. Martin O’Malley, would increase employee contributions from 5 percent to 7 percent and raise monthly premiums for health insurance from 20 percent to 25 percent.
The legislature shot down two of O’Malley’s hallmark bills: One that would have created a wind farm off the coast of Ocean City and another that would have limited septic tanks in new housing developments.
His bill creating a $75 million venture fund for Maryland capital firms was significantly pared down and barely made the midnight deadline.
O’Malley said lawmakers “choked” on his proposals this year.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George’s counties, shot back that he wished O’Malley “choked” before announcing his septic tank legislation.
The General Assembly also punted on a number of social issues this year, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and a bill that would protect transgendered citizens from job discrimination.
But the legislature did vote to ease laws on marijuana, bringing Maryland closer to legalizing the drug for medical purposes.
The governor is holding a ceremonial bill signing at the State House Tuesday.
