Politics & Government

Carroll County Del. Susan Krebs Votes No on Proposed Budget

The amended version of the Maryland budget passed through the House of Delegates Tuesday.

The Maryland House of Delegates Tuesday passed an amended version of Gov. O'Malley's proposed budget package, which increases state spending by more than $1 billion. 

Carroll County Del. Susan Krebs, District 9B, voted against the budget legislation. 

"State spending has continued to increase under our governor even though the average Marylander is struggling to make ends meet," Krebs said. 

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Under the governor's proposal, the total operating budget of Maryland for 2013 would be $35.9 billion and the House of Delegates version of the bill is approximately $35.78 billion.

"To pay for this massive increase in spending, there are many new taxes that will affect all aspects of our lives," Krebs said.

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The legislation passed in the House of Delegates includes the following changes: 

  • There would be an increase in the income tax rate on those making more than $100,000 or a couple making more than $150,000 per year. Those households would have to pay .25 percent more per year. Additionally, individuals making more than $100,000 per year and couples making over $150,000 will have their exemptions reduced. Individuals making between $100,000 to $125,000 per year will have their exemption reduced by $800, from $125,000 to $150,000 by $1000, and more than $150,000 will receive no exemption. Couples making more than $150,000 to $175,000 per year will have their exemption reduced by $800, from $175,000 to $200,000 by $1000, and over $200,000 will receive no exemption.
  • An increase from 15 percent to 50 percent will go in effect for "other tabacco products," meaning any tobacco product that is not a cigarette, including snuff and smokeless tobacco. Also, the tax on "premium cigars" will rise from 15 percent to 20 percent and on regular cigars from 15 percent to 70 percent.
  • The Nursing Home Bed Tax would increase to $22 per bed per day or $660 per month. 
  • The cost of death certificates, marriage certificates, and adoption processing would increase from $12 to $24.
  • The cost of teacher pensions would shift from the state to the counties. This will impact Carroll County by more than $4 million in the next year.
  • The the flush tax would increase from $30 to $60 per year.

"The House of Delegate's version of the budget legislation is different from that passed in the state Senate. A conference committee between both House of Delegates and State Senate will meet to reconcile the two versions of the bills," Krebs said. 

"Some key differences between the bills is that the Senate's version dramatically alters income tax brackets and imposes sales tax on internet sales."

The Republican's alternative budget proposal, a level-funded budget that did not raise taxes, was not voted on in the House of Delegates.


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