Partisan spats and allegations of exclusion and obstructionism marked a day spent studying complex proposed changes to Gov. Martin O?Malley?s sweeping tax plan.
The governor?s plan to close a $1.5 billion budget gap came before the Maryland Senate on Wednesday, significantly amended by its Budget and Taxation Committee on Tuesday. Senate President Thomas Mike Miller urged lawmakers to cease the political sparring that has marked the special session and support the committee?s changes “as best you can.”
“If you don?t like the plan, tell the governor so we can adjourn and go home,” Miller said.
The revised legislation includes new income tax brackets, increasing the sales tax and broadening it to include landscaping and computer services, and removing a property tax cut. It also amends O?Malley?s slot machine referendum plan to give slot machine operators more money and removes an increase to the state?s gas tax.
Minutes into the day?s first session, Minority Leader Sen. David Brinkley admonished Democrats for entertaining a mock motion to “eliminate the other side” when all 14 Republicans were missing from the chamber.
“We don?t appreciate comments of this sort just as you would not appreciate comments of that sort on the other side of the aisle,” Brinkley said.
Republican senators repeatedly questioned the rationale behind key amendments.
O?Malley initially proposed extending the sales tax to health club memberships, property management, saunas and tanning, and representatives of those industries lobbied heavily against the expansion last week.
Several lawmakers, including Sen. Jim Brochin ? a Baltimore County Democrat who said he would join Republicans in a filibuster on tax increases ? said businesses targeted by the expansion have not had an opportunity to oppose it.
Miller said he hoped the Senate would vote on the package by tonight.
