ANNAPOLIS, MD (AP) – Maryland lawmakers are scheduled to end their legislative session in a challenging budget year. The fiscal problems that have cast a shadow over the session ending late today have been aggravated by uncertainties with downsizing of the federal government on a state that relies heavily on federal jobs and contracts. Democrat Gov. Wes Moore and lawmakers have addressed a $3.3 billion deficit by making cuts and raising taxes and fees. Under budget proposal for the next fiscal year, the state has about $2 billion in its rainy day fund. The $67 billion budget includes a new 3% tax in information technology services and two new tax brackets for people who make over $500,000 annually and another for those with more than $1 million in annual income. There also is a new 2% tax on capital gains for people with income over $350,000, as well as tax hikes on recreational marijuana and sports wagering. The Maryland Department of Health would have access to $25 million for an abortion grant program to help providers pay costs for the uninsured.
