Gov. Martin O?Malley has unveiled tax increases that would have high-income earners paying more to the state, and consumers paying a penny more in sales tax.
His effort to balance a stifling structural budget has come under fire by Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold, a Republican who served as a delegate for 16 years.
The Examiner asked Leopold about his thoughts on O?Malley?s tax plans.
What is your opinion of O?Malley?s income tax plan?
I oppose it. We have to look at the entire tax burden faced by the citizens.
Coupled with the piggyback tax, Maryland has one of the highest tax rates in the nation.
The fact is that you can?t look at in a vacuum.
You have to look at the total tax burden ? sales tax, income tax, corporate tax, titling fees.
Do you think a penny increase to the sales tax will work?
It?s a regressive tax that?s going to affect the working class.
What else concerns you about the state?s budget woes?
… There needs to be a constitutional firewall, a provision … that says when a governor takes funds out of the transportation trust fund to balance the budget, that it must return that amount within five years.
Otherwise, that?s not keeping faith with motorists of this state.
You?re basically enacting a general tax increase rather than [using] the money as intended.
There should be no debate or discussion on tax increases unless, and until, there is a constitutional provision protecting the transportation fund.
What should be done to reduce the state deficit?
I join in my Republican colleagues in the General Assembly who have urged against greater spending.
[Anne Arundel?s] expenditures increased 3.7 percent while the county?s income increased 5 percent.
That?s what the state needs to do.
