Special Session Round-Up for Tuesday
Here is a selection of news and links from around the web that supplement The Post's coverage of the Maryland special session as of Tuesday, Oct. 30.
From the governor, answers to "frequently asked questions" about the special session ...Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley tells the Baltimore Sun that he criticizes O'Malley for playing the "blame game"... The Sun reports that O'Malley's approval ratings have declined... Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton, D-Charles, tells the Examiner that O'Malley's plan to legalize slot machine gambling will be "the toughest [part] of all"...O'Malley's proposal to expand the state sales tax faces stiff opposition, according to the Associated Press... ABC's WMDT 47 report that counties fear that the burden will fall on local government if O'Malley's budget fails... From The Gazette, religious leaders in Prince George's don't want slot machines... St. Mary's Sheriff Tim Cameron, tells St. Mary's Today that he fears an explosion of gambling might attract organized crime.
If you see something you'd like to add, post a summary and link below.
-- Compiled by Jamisha Purdy
By Washington Post Editors |
October 30, 2007; 5:57 PM ET
| Category:
General Assembly
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Posted by: Bernie Hayden | October 30, 2007 8:23 PM
Matthew Weinstein of interest group Progressive Maryland, has stated an important principle, but has absolutely failed to then define policy consistent with that principle.
He suggest that the wealthiest residents should take on a greater tax burden in funding state programs, but he has then absolutely failed to suggest how a tax on wealth might be crafted.
Income tax is by no means the same as wealth tax, because income at the moment does not necessarily derive from wealth. Example, middle class educated professionals often have deep educational debt, then finally have income to start paying off that debt. They are definitely not "wealthy" after years of deferred income. They are merely trying to catch up.
Wouldn't a true "wealth tax" involve a "progressive" (exponential) tax on assets held? Real estate, stock, bank account value would figure here. So would an inescapable "progressive" inheritance tax. There is a growing chasm in this country, between the truly wealthy (with great assets accumulated), Vs the middle class which is not wealthy.
Posted by: Robert Greenhalgh | October 31, 2007 12:46 AM
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Taxes and slots are both issues that are ripe for picking by the Maryland General Assembly, according to the blog, Maryland On My Mind, at marylandonmymind.wordpress.com.