Baltimore County Sen. Bobby Zirkin was a loud opponent of the computer services sales tax enacted in November?s special session. Now he?s one of the few senators on the Budget and Taxation Committee who are the focus of intense lobbying to repeal it, replacing half of it with a surcharge on millionaires.
Gov. Martin O?Malley has called Zirkin several times, and “he?s very, very committed to repealing the tax,” Zirkin told The Examiner. “I really appreciate that he?s taken this on.
“I?ve been pushing as hard as I possibly can for as much in the way of cuts” rather than another tax increase, Zirkinsaid. Part of the plan to replace the $200 million from information technology also involves taking money from transportation. “If you cut too far, you may have to raise some tolls.
“At the end of the day, I will make up my mind to see what the package is,” Zirkin said, refusing to say whether he would support a tax increase. “Nothing could be more important now as getting rid of the technology tax,” because it would be so damaging to Maryland?s economy.
“I believe we can find the cuts to do so,” Zirkin said.
