More than most General Assembly sessions, this one figures to be unpredictable. Watch for some sleight-of-hand: What you see today may not be what you get tomorrow.
That "no new taxes" vow from many legislators? It could be broken once fiscal reality sets in.
The governor's pledge to shield counties from sharing the cost of fixing Maryland's teacher pension system?
It may be ignored by legislators.
December's middling economic forecast for Maryland's budget? It may look far more optimistic by the time revenue projections are revised in March.
As for assertions that the votes are there to repeal Maryland's death penalty, this emotionally charged issue will trigger a bitter Senate filibuster — if a repeal bill reaches the floor. At that point, anything could happen.
The same applies to bills legalizing same-sex marriages in Maryland. Today's optimism may be short-lived once legislators start wrestling with the ethical, moral, religious and legal issues — and the strong opinions voiced by constituents.
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Who believed the Political / Election retoric of no new / tax increases.
ReplyDeleteIt's about 7 hrs later and nobody has signed up as believing.
ReplyDeleteJust think about the future. Your kids end up relying on you because they can't get jobs (or pay any taxes). The Government increases your taxes because they are spending more than you can fund. One day you will die. What will Government do then?
Sigh!