Gov. Martin O?Malley?s proposed tax increases have received no support among state lawmakers representing conservative Carroll County.
That reflects almost overwhelming opposition among constituents to the governor?s plan to erase the $1.7 billion deficit, say the county?s seven General Assembly members, all Republicans.
“My constituents have been unanimously opposed to the governor’s tax package,” said Del. Susan Krebs, R-District 9B. “I am opposed to the way the package has been proposed in a special session with little detail on many of the proposals and little opportunity for public input.”
But Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 3 to 1 in the General Assembly, and if O?Malley can unite the party behind the package, he will have the votes to pass a 20 percent increase in the sales tax.
Other elements of the proposal include a $1 tobacco tax increase; an annual gasoline tax increase to keep up with construction costs; a car rental tax; an expanded sales tax on services and products; a reduced property tax, from 11.2 cents per $100 to 8.2 cents; and more income taxes targeting the wealthy.
Republican lawmakers say they have not been invited to discussions with O?Malley and say he has ignored their proposal to make more spending cuts.
The special session is set to begin Oct. 30, and some, including Del. Donald Elliott, R-District 4B, said they would support it if it were done openly, with time for public input.
Others, like Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley, R-District 4, oppose the plan, saying the proposal calls for a regressive tax that O?Malley hastily patched together.
“He?s throwing mud against the wall and hoping it sticks,” Brinkley said. “I don?t think any of it?s stuck.”
Elliott expressed support for an indexed gas tax for “dire” transportation needs, while others in the Carroll delegation supported the property tax reduction.
Most, though, opposed O?Malley?s entire plan and said cuts would not be necessary if yearly budget increases were scaled back from the proposed 9 percent to 3 percent, on par with the average wage increase.
But Del. Tanya Shewell, R-District 5, acknowledged that if O?Malley rallies Democrats, his plan should pass.
“We have seen nothing in writing to examine, nor has the minority party been invited to sit in on discussions with the governor,” Shewell said. “So much for one Maryland. It may take a taxpayers? revolt to stop it.”
