What They’re Saying About Governor Hogan’s Response to the Largest Tax Increase In State History

(Watch)

“Governor blasts Democrats' proposed sales tax for Kirwan” Frederick News-Post: “Hogan criticized the plan in a news briefing Thursday. He said it would hurt middle-class families and is the highest proposed sales tax in the state’s history. He listed several services that would be taxed: dog walkers, landscaping, barbers and day care." (Steve Bohnel, “Governor blasts Democrats' proposed sales tax for Kirwan,” Frederick News-Post, 2/20/20)

“Gov. Hogan Condemns Sales Tax Proposal To Fund Kirwan Reforms” WBAL News Radio: “Gov. Larry Hogan is accusing Democratic lawmakers of doing exactly what he said they were going to -- raise taxes to pay for the Kirwan Commission's proposed education reforms...Hogan blasted the proposal, saying the move would carry four times the impact of the 2007 increase. He said it would represent lawmakers going back on a pledge not to propose onerous new taxes.” (Tyler Waldman, “Gov. Hogan Condemns Sales Tax Proposal To Fund Kirwan Reforms,” WBAL News Radio, 2/20/20)

“Gov. Hogan attacks proposed tax plan to fund education reform” WTOP: “Hogan, a Republican, ran as a tax hawk in his first term and campaigned on the state of Maryland’s economy before winning a second term as governor. ‘This would destroy everything we’ve done for five years,’ Hogan told reporters Thursday. ‘It would destroy our economy.’ Hogan had insisted there was no way for Democrats to fund the education reform bill, called ‘The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,’ without raising taxes. He insisted the introduction of the new bill proves his point.” (Kate Ryan, “Gov. Hogan attacks proposed tax plan to fund education reform,” WTOP, 2/20/20)

“Maryland governor, lawmakers, battle over crime, taxes” AP: “Hogan also condemned a sales tax proposal that would raise $2.6 billion for a sweeping education plan by fiscal year 2025. Maryland already has some of the best and most highly funded schools in the nation, Hogan said, adding that he said he remains committed to improving education.” (Brian Witte, “Maryland governor, lawmakers, battle over crime, taxes,” AP, 2/20/20)

“Expanding state sales tax to pay for school improvements would ‘destroy our economy,’ Maryland Gov. Hogan says” Baltimore Sun: “Hogan blasted the sales tax proposal during his news conference. He said collecting more sales tax would erase economic gains made in the state during his tenure as governor. ‘This would destroy everything we’ve done for five years,’ Hogan said. ‘It would destroy our economy.’” (Pamela Wood and Emily Opilo, “Expanding state sales tax to pay for school improvements would ‘destroy our economy,’ Maryland Gov. Hogan says,” Baltimore Sun, 2/20/20)

“Hogan attacks Democrats on crime bill, expanding sales tax to fund schools overhaul” Washington Post: “Hogan, who campaigned on an anti-tax agenda in 2014, said the proposal “is a tax on working families,” since it would apply regardless of income. ‘It’s a tax on single moms,’ he said. ‘It’s not ever going to happen while I’m governor. I can promise you.’ Hogan said his internal polling shows that only 2 percent of Marylanders support a tax increase.” (Ovetta Wiggins and Erin Cox, “Hogan attacks Democrats on crime bill, expanding sales tax to fund schools overhaul,” Washington Post, 2/20/20)

“Lawmakers considering expanding sales tax to fully fund Maryland schools” WMAR: “Governor Larry Hogan said this is a tax on working families and single moms. He said it will cost families $1,700 and is the largest tax increase ever in the state. Hogan also says this will never happen while he is Governor.” (Kelly Broderick, “Lawmakers considering expanding sales tax to fully fund Maryland schools,” WMAR, 2/20/20)

“Lawmakers Begin Weighing Novel Expansion of State Sales Tax” Maryland Matters: “But Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) attacked the plan in a news conference Thursday and promised that ‘it’s not ever going to happen while I’m governor.’ Hogan charged that the tax change would cost $1,708 a year for a family of four, which his administration calculated by dividing the total increased tax equally among all Marylanders.” (Danielle E. Gaines, “Lawmakers Begin Weighing Novel Expansion of State Sales Tax,” Maryland Matters, 2/21/20)

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