Sales Tax Expansion Defeated!
Late Wednesday, an Appropriations Subcommittee in the House unanimously voted against HB1628 that would have expanded the state\’s sales tax to everyday services. The bill was met with robust opposition and citizens called, emailed, showed-up and testified to let Democratic lawmakers know that this was a terrible idea for Maryland. This week, the process worked!
Unfortunately, this means that Kirwan supporters will need to identify another funding plan to pay for these expensive changes to public education after the first three years it is implements. Don\’t let go of your wallets yet as there are several smaller proposals still alive and well this Session.
Read more: Maryland lawmakers reject bill to expand the state\’s sales tax
Economic Stability Legislation Advances
In more good news, legislation that was developed from this summer\’s Economic Stability Listening sessions has advanced out of committee and is making its way to the House Floor. If you remember, the Economic Stability Commission, of which I am co-chair, hosted listening sessions throughout the state during the interim to hear from those receiving assistance, front-line service providers and other stakeholders on how best to deliver social services with the goal of helping individuals and their families achieve self sufficiency. The Commission put forward a bill to expand the 2Gen (Two Generation) service delivery model state-wide. The 2Gen approach is a holistic model that supports the entire family and brings together existing public service programs to meet the different needs of each member of the family. I am optimistic that this bill will pass!
Key House panel considers bill to improve rural Maryland communities
CPAC Conference
Several of my colleagues and I spent some time at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington DC last weekend. I was very proud to have been awarded a Conservative Achievement Award in recognition for my efforts at the State level. Already looking forward to next year!
Term Limits
I was proud to again introduce a House Joint Resolution for Maryland to call on the United States Congress for an amendments convention to impose term limits on the U.S House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. I was pleased to meet with term limits advocates last week in advance of Monday\’s hearing in the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee.
Our intern, Sam, testified in favor of establishing Congressional term limits and did an awesome job. You can read his testimony here.