Maryland lawmakers reach budget deal after debate influenced by fiscal uncertainty, US Senate race

By BRIAN WITTE
Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers have reached an agreement to resolve differences over proposed tax and fee increases. The deal announced Wednesday amounts to a far more modest revenue approach than an initial $1.3 billion revenue package proposed. Senate leaders said that was unnecessary now during uncertain economic times and an election year featuring a competitive U.S. Senate race with high stakes. Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan is running in a widely watched U.S. Senate race. Under the deal, new transportation-related revenue adds up to between $320 and $350 million within three years. There’s also about $80 million for education in a variety of tobacco tax increases.