The easy part of this term is over; next year comes the crunch

By Len Lazarick
Len@MarylandReporter.com

The easy part of this legislature’s four-year term is over.

By most standards, this 90 days was fairly smooth, especially when it comes to money matters, which are often the most contentious.

True, the legislators did pass a $15 minimum wage, overriding the governor’s veto — essentially an escalating tax on the employers of close to 600,000 people. With the employer payroll taxes that are invisible to employees, the cost by 2026 will actually be over $16 per hour.

Just before next regular session begins, the minimum wage will go up to $11 per hour, or at least $11.75 in the cost to most employers.

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