Balancing a $3 billion budget deficit on the backs of Maryland's highest earners, Gov. Wes Moore says while the rich will pay, the rest will save. In his 2026 budget proposal, Moore describes his tax reforms as "simpler, fairer, and, for the majority of Marylanders, lower."
He says 82% of taxpayers will receive a cut or see no change to their taxes. Moore, a Democrat, estimates low-income families will save $300 a year and middle-income families will save $173.
A claim Maryland's Joint Republican caucus refutes.
"Every Marylander will pay more in some sort of tax or fee combined under this budget," said Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, who represents Carroll and Frederick counties.
Republican lawmakers also argue Moore isn't making cuts, he's simply moving money around.
"If we eliminated the additional Blueprint spending that we started, what would the budget deficit be? $700 million," said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, who represents Allegany County.
"There's $60 million to study the Red Line. I mean, has this thing not been studied enough?" said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy, who represents Carroll and Frederick counties.
Additionally, they say for every tax break, there's a new burden. In total, and counting, there are 18 tax and fee increases. Those include raising the sports wagering tax rate from 15% to 30%, the table games tax rate from 20% to 25% and the cannabis tax rate from 9% to 15%. Also, reducing student debt relief, eliminating itemized deductions and imposing a 75-cent fee on delivery orders from large retailers, such as DoorDash and Amazon.
"Do you think Jeff Bezos is going to pay for that? No, Marylanders are going to be paying that," Pippy said.
"It's a lot of smoke and mirrors," Ready said.
"For the governor to say that he's cutting taxes for lower- and middle-income people, it's just not the truth," taxpayer advocate David Williams said.
Williams says in a tough economy many Marylanders are still recovering from last year's tobacco tax, ride share fee and car registration fee increases.
Especially in Baltimore City, where BGE is raising gas and electric rates $26 a month, and the Board of Estimates just approved a nearly $40 a month increase to water bills.
"They just got a double whammy," Williams said.
"Why don't we fix what's broken with state government? And that's our addition to spending and programs," Ready said.