Middle River

Even as the state is slashing its budget in preparation for an economic downturn, Republican House delegates are pushing for a revocation of the computer services tax and Gov. Martin O’Malley isn’t objecting.

“I was hoping that abolishing the computer services tax would be a component [of the House’s budget bill]” Del. Susan L.M. Aumann (R-Baltimore County) said in reference to the 6 percent sales tax on computer maintenance and services, passed during last fall’s legislative special session.

ANNAPOLIS- A day after the House of Delegates voted 105-34 in favor of a spending plan that reduces Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed 2009 budget by more than $511 million, several Republican House members said that the cuts need to be deeper, arguing that the plan does not go far enough to counter future economic and fiscal slowdowns.
 

As the House of Delegates prepares to vote on House Bill (HB) 102, the Voter’s Rights Protection Act of 2008, Del. Keith Haynes (D-Baltimore), a co-sponsor of the bill, told PoltickerMD.com that the legislation was essential to “ensure fairness and quality for individuals.”

Haynes called the act “very important,” and said it would “ensure that voter’s rights are protected and continue to be protected.”

ANNAPOLIS -- House Democrats have proposed a bill that would prohibit the release of false campaign materials. The Voter's Rights Protection Act of 2008 stems from the 2006 gubernatorial race, when on the eve of the election Democrats in Prince George’s County and Baltimore City were given fliers identifying Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as Democrats.

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com this afternoon, Del. Patrick L. McDonough (R-Middle River) said he was opposed to the current legislation, House Bill (HB) 102, because he found the term false to be “misleading” in a “legal sense.”

“The wording is too vague and general,” McDonough explained, saying he felt the bill could create an “opportunity” for a lawmakers’ “political enemies” to file “frivolous lawsuits.”