ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Uncertainty about the “fiscal cliff” in Washington could have a significant impact on consumer behavior over the holidays in a state like Maryland that relies on the federal government for so many jobs, the head of the Maryland Retailers Association told a panel of state officials on Thursday.

The state’s Board of Revenue Estimates held a meeting to hear from business leaders from a cross section of industries about how they view economic conditions in the state. They often referred to the Jan. 1 deadline in Washington, when tax breaks are set to expire and big automatic spending cuts are triggered.