The Delegate Whose Own Business Fled the Tax Won’t Be Around to Revisit It
Delegate Brian Crosby moved part of his IT business to Virginia during debates over a new Maryland IT services tax, which ultimately collected 77% less than expected. Although he voted against the tax, he is not seeking re-election. The resultant revenue shortfall strengthens Republican claims about the negative impact of the tax on businesses.
Maryland’s New Tech Tax Brought In 77% Less Than Promised. Business Groups Want It Gone.
Maryland’s 3% sales tax on IT and data services raised only $112.8 million in its first year, significantly below the projected $500 million. This shortfall, attributed partly to businesses relocating, has led the state’s business lobby to advocate for repeal, emphasizing negative impacts on the tech economy and overall business climate.
While Marylanders Pay Near-Record Prices at the Pump, Refiners Are Posting Their Best Quarter Since 2022
President Trump urged oil refining executives to reduce rising gasoline and diesel prices, highlighting their record $12.6 billion profits amidst soaring costs. Maryland’s fuel prices, with gasoline averaging $3.93 and diesel nearing $6, are exacerbated by the state’s increasing gas tax. The impact threatens small businesses and trucking operators struggling with escalating fuel costs.
Maryland’s ERs Are Still the Slowest in the Country. Half Its Hospitals Have Quietly Gotten Faster Anyway.
Maryland faces significant emergency room wait times, rooted in a lack of nursing home and rehab beds rather than ER inefficiencies. A commission’s interim report emphasizes the need for additional 1,688 post-acute beds to alleviate the issue. Concrete recommendations are expected by the end of 2026, but urgent action is needed.
Moore Proclaims Child Support Awareness Month. The Enforcement Gap It Ignores Gets No Mention.
Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller declared August 2026 National Child Support Awareness Month in Maryland. However, the state’s child support enforcement system heavily favors financial collection over ensuring custodial parents comply with visitation orders. This imbalance raises concerns about equal enforcement of parental rights and responsibilities, with no federal law mandating visitation…
Montgomery County Disbanded Its DUI Unit. Hours Later, Two People Died in a Wrong-Way Crash.
Montgomery County eliminated its dedicated impaired-driving unit amid a police staffing shortage. The next evening, an allegedly impaired wrong-way driver killed a mother and daughter on I-270 — sharpening an already heated debate over county public-safety priorities.
Maryland Ranks 7th Nationally for Lifetime Tax Burden, New Study Finds
A recent study reveals that Maryland ranks seventh in the U.S. for lifetime taxes, with residents paying approximately $1.06 million. Despite this high figure, Maryland has the third highest average lifetime earnings, leading to a lower percentage of income taxed compared to states like New Jersey. The ranking highlights ongoing debates over tax structure and…
Corporate Profits Are Booming. Maryland Workers Should Ask Where Their Share Went.
U.S. corporate profits hit a record $4.8 trillion in mid-2026, while workers’ share of income is at a historic low. Maryland’s job growth is overshadowed by its dependence on federal contracts, leading to vulnerabilities. To foster competition and resilience, the state must reduce barriers for small businesses and prioritize a healthier economy.
Moore Calls $28.5 Million in EV Grants “Lowering Costs.” Maryland’s Electric-Bus Record Deserves More Scrutiny.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced a $28.5 million funding initiative for electrification projects aimed at reducing gas prices through long-term solutions like electric school buses and EV chargers. However, critics argue this does not provide immediate relief for families facing rising gas costs and demand clearer cost-benefit analyses to ensure taxpayer savings.
A Sewage Closure Becomes a Campaign Ad Within the Hour in Howard County
Guilford Elementary School in Columbia closed due to sewage issues, prompting Republican candidate Fitzgerald Mofor to criticize Democratic opponents for neglecting school maintenance. Mofor cited statistics about the maintenance backlog, while acknowledging some claims need context. The debate highlights broader funding challenges for Maryland’s public schools, affecting parents directly.
Judge Strikes Down Redistricting Ballot Question, Stays Ruling Pending Supreme Court Appeal
A Maryland judge ruled the state legislature violated its own certification deadlines by placing a redistricting amendment on the November ballot, thus ordering it removed. The judge found the ballot question misleading and improperly combined two subjects. The state plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, keeping the question on the ballot temporarily.
Maryland’s Next Payroll Tax Is Coming in 2027 — A Year Before Benefits Begin
Starting January 1, 2027, Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program (FAMLI) will collect 0.9% of wages from employers and employees to fund a trust before benefits begin in January 2028. Critics view this as an additional payroll tax amid mounting economic pressures in the state.
Baltimore Ranks Second-Worst Real Estate Market in the Country, New Study Finds
Baltimore’s housing market ranks 299th out of 300 U.S. cities in WalletHub’s “Best Real Estate Markets in 2026” report. It scored poorly across various metrics, including home price appreciation and job growth. Despite not indicating a price collapse, the findings raise concerns about the city’s economic fundamentals and housing demand.
A Federal Court Just Admitted the Piedmont “Emergency” Might Be Fake. It Let PSEG Bulldoze Your Land Anyway.
Charlotte Hetterick’s organic farm is threatened by the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, facing eminent domain actions before state approval has been granted. A federal court’s ruling allows PSEG access to properties despite local opposition and concerns about an urgent deadline that may not be realistic, raising costs for Maryland households.
Maryland Schools Are Being Asked to Do Everything — Even Potty Training
Anne Arundel County Public Schools is enhancing support for young, untrained students amidst revisions to policies on gender identity and parental roles. This raises concerns about the shifting responsibilities between schools and families. As schools take on more personal and developmental tasks, questions arise about the expectations placed on parents.
While the WNBA Fights Over Sophie Cunningham, Maryland Quietly Stays the Course
While Sophie Cunningham and the WNBA fight a national battle over transgender athletes, Maryland has quietly stayed the course. Five years of legislation aimed at changing the state’s girls’ sports policy have ended without a floor vote.
Maryland Democrats Can’t Decide Whether the Economy Is Booming or Collapsing
By Michael Phillips | MDBayNews Maryland Democrats have developed a remarkably convenient economic theory: when the numbers are bad, Donald Trump owns them. When the numbers are good, Wes Moore does. That contradiction became impossible to miss this week. On Thursday, Rep. Sarah Elfreth blasted the national economy after the United States reportedly lost 23,000…
Maryland Has 240 Bridges Rated “Structurally Deficient.” None of Them Was the Key Bridge.
Maryland has 240 bridges rated structurally deficient — fewer than the national average. But with local transportation funding set to shrink and the Key Bridge rebuild nearing $5 billion, keeping the state’s bridges in good shape is getting more expensive.
Three Governors, One Script: Texas, Maryland and Pennsylvania Are All Suddenly Cracking Down on Data Centers
Three governors from different parties have implemented strict regulations on data centers in their states, reflecting a bipartisan consensus on developer accountability amid community concerns. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro took decisive actions, while Maryland’s slower approach contrasts with their initiatives. Local governments are also enacting moratoriums.
One in Five BGE Customers Is Behind on Utility Bills. Maryland’s Affordability Problem Is Getting Harder to Ignore.
Maryland faces a significant energy affordability issue, with over 300,000 BGE customers behind on their bills, representing nearly 19% of its customer base. As BGE seeks another rate increase for 2027, state leaders must consider the immediate financial strain on residents, emphasizing the need for affordable energy solutions now.
Moore Says Families Shouldn’t Go Into Debt for Back-to-School. His Own Tax Holiday Doesn’t Cover the Supply List.
Governor Wes Moore highlighted the financial pressures of back-to-school shopping in a recent post, emphasizing state investments. However, the Maryland tax break provided minimal relief, only exempting clothing and footwear, leaving most school supplies taxed. This discrepancy raises concerns about the effectiveness of the state’s policies in alleviating back-to-school costs for families.
The 2029 Promise: What Offshore Wind Boosters Aren’t Telling You
A coalition advocating for an offshore wind project off Ocean City claims it will generate 1.7 gigawatts of power, create over 13,000 jobs, and yield $6.3 billion in economic benefits. However, legal challenges from local entities and potential tax credit issues complicate the project’s 2029 timeline, raising questions about its feasibility.
Another Dock Street Business Closes. This Time, the Jobs Lost Belong to Workers Who Have the Hardest Time Finding New Ones
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in Annapolis will close on September 14 due to its lease expiration. This follows the ongoing construction project on Dock Street, which has significantly affected local businesses. The establishment, known for employing individuals with disabilities, highlights the impact of construction-related disruptions on vulnerable storefronts.
Wallops Industry Day Tackles Housing and Workforce. The State’s Funding Fight Got Left Off the Agenda.
Wallops leaders discussed housing and workforce challenges during the third annual Wallops Industry Day, emphasizing the need for local infrastructure to support the growing aerospace sector. A unanimous aerospace funding bill passed the Senate but died in the House, highlighting gaps in Maryland’s investment compared to neighboring states.
Maryland’s Digital Ad Tax Just Got Thrown Out. Here’s What Happens to the Money.
Maryland’s digital advertising tax has been deemed unconstitutional by the Tax Court, which ruled it violates the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act. Companies like Apple and Google successfully challenged the tax, leading to potential refunds totaling over $500 million. The state plans to appeal, leaving unresolved budget implications for Maryland.
How a $375 Million Plan Became a $715 Million Problem
Maryland’s horse racing redevelopment plan escalated from $375 million to over $715 million through five decisions made without public cost-benefit analyses. Key decisions included concentrating racing at a rebuilt Pimlico, abandoning Shamrock Farm, purchasing Laurel Park, and acquiring the Preakness IP, all while lacking transparency and accountability.
The First Lawsuit Went Dark. A Second One — Led by a Local GOP Official — Is Wide Open.
A Republican lawsuit challenging Maryland’s redistricting process has been sealed from public view, raising questions. In response, another group of Eastern Shore Republicans filed a separate, accessible lawsuit, addressing related issues and contesting both the ballot language and the constitutionality of the ballot measure, asserting a lack of transparency in the process.
Maryland Ranked 35th Best State to Live In. Its Schools Help — Everything Else Doesn’t.
Maryland ranked 35th in WalletHub’s 2026 “Best States to Live In” report, declining from the previous year. While it excelled in education and health (14th), it struggled in affordability (38th), economy (44th), quality of life (33rd), and safety (35th). The state’s high cost of living and insufficient job growth are significant challenges.
Where Maryland’s School Money Actually Goes — And Why It Still Isn’t Pencils
A viral Virginia teacher’s video highlighting mold-damaged classroom supplies sparked widespread criticism of educational funding, especially in Maryland, where 94% of teachers personally fund their classrooms. Despite Maryland’s high per-student spending, actual supply funding is significantly low, revealing a priority disparity in educational resources and administrative costs.
Pimlico Has No Plan for the Other 364 Days
The new Pimlico Race Course, meant to be a year-round economic hub, currently supports only the Preakness Stakes, raising concerns about its long-term viability. Despite significant investments, no substantial programming or events are announced for the remaining 364 days, provoking skepticism among local residents and officials regarding its projected economic impact.