Fourteen of the more liberal Democrats in the Maryland Senate have written to Gov. Martin O?Malley urging him to take a “forward-thinking strategy to balance the state books,” preserving and expanding programs for education, health care, the environment and transportation.
They want to pay for this by making the state?s tax system “more progressive,” meaning higher taxes for those with higher incomes, “shifting the relative burden off of working families, small business and those on fixed incomes,” according to a letter written by the 14 legislators obtained by The Examiner.
“We are concerned that too much of the recent debate has focused on the needs of the government, rather than on the needs and aspirations of our people,” the letter says.
They included Sens. Joan Carter Conway, Lisa Gladden and Verna Jones of Baltimore City, and Sen. Delores Kelley of Baltimore County, as well as Sen. Jim Rosapepe, who represents part of Anne Arundel County.
The effort was put together by Sens. Paul Pinsky, Prince George?s County, and Brian Frosh, Montgomery County.
The letter “just speaks broadly to Democratic priorities,” said Sen. Rob Garagiola, D-Montgomery, to “make sure that you not lose focus” education and health care. The letter talks about “quality, affordable health care,” affordable college tuition, saving the Chesapeake Bay, and reducing global warming and traffic congestion.
The writers said that their constituents also “want a tax system based on ability to pay ? one that does not deepen the sharp inequalities that have developed between the vast majority of working families and the privileged few.”
“Clearly everything is on the table” as the governor and lawmakers cope with a $1.4 billion deficit next year, Garagiola said. “I would personally not rule out” cuts in programs, but he wants to “minimize impacts on certain key areas.”
“I would not rule out a little more progressive income tax structure,” he said.
