To dig out of the deficit, Maryland lawmakers this year — led by Gov. Bob Ehrlich — already made $900 million in painful cuts to a budget that was lean to begin with. But Gov. Bob Ehrlich doesn't think this is enough he wants to keep on chainsawing investments in our public schools and in services for children and families. Enough is enough! We can't close the deficit only with cuts! For a better, fairer, balanced approach, lawmakers should close the tax loopholes by which giant national corporations cheat our state out of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes they owe in Maryland. And lawmakers should make millionaires give back to Maryland a portion of the huge federal "tax cut for millionaires" enacted this year by President George W. Bush.
Which specific loopholes should lawmakers close? Which specific taxes on the wealthiest should they raise? Click here to see a menu of revenue options totaling $3.2 billion — triple what lawmakers need to close the deficit. The revenue to close the deficit is right in front of their noses. Will lawmakers find the courage to collect it and thereby anger their deep-pocket campaign contributors? Or will lawmakers continue to cut funding for schools, health care, and seniors?
Click here to make sure that your lawmaker listens to you!
Progressive Maryland's program for tax fairness enjoys the support of a majority of Marylanders. Read the results of a recent poll of Marylanders about the budget deficit.
