At a rally to support Gov. Martin O?Malley?s proposal for the state?s first-ever dedicated source for higher-education funding, three jets roared overhead in what appeared to be a well-timed but unplanned salute to the man of the hour.
“He doesn?t want to just pay the bills and balance the budget,” University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. “Britt” Kirwan boomed into a microphone. “He wants to courageously invest in our future.”
College administrators in suits and students in sweat shirts gathered on Lawyers Mall in Annapolis Wednesday for one of the many demonstrations planned during the General Assembly?s special session to address the state?s $1.5 billion structural deficit. Among other measures, O?Malley is proposing an income tax increase from 7 percent to 8 percent, and dedicating half of the new revenues to stabilize college tuition.
The move is expected to net $55 million annually.
“We can?t be a great state unless the children of working families can afford to go to college,” O?Malley said.
O?Malley is also proposing an increase on the sales, tobacco and titling taxes in addition to income taxes for the state?s wealthiest residents. He is also is backing a property-tax reduction and a public vote on his proposal to legalize slot machines.
While students with little disposable cash will feel the brunt of O?Malley?s proposed sales and gas tax increases, the trade-off is necessary, said Andrew Friedson, Student Government Association president at the University of Maryland, College Park.
“The proposal makes a logical connection between corporations who will pay the increase and the institutions that train their future employees,” Friedson said.
Some Republicans blasted the O?Malley administration for leading a rally of “well-paid higher education officials to support his historic tax increase.” The Federation of College Republicans issued a statement highlighting the effects of the proposed gas tax increase on commuting students and a proposed tax on property management companies on student renters.
