The governor of Maryland, liberal Democrat Martin O'Malley, has announced another tax increase on so-called "high earners." That means if you live in Maryland and earn $100,000 or more you are going to pay more to the state.
O'Malley wants to cut in half the personal exemption and cap personal deductions for high earners. O'Malley said the increase is necessary to reduce the state's budget deficit. If you think new taxes will do that you don't understand liberals. The governor's proposed budget increases spending by 3 percent. Maryland's share of the teacher pension costs have more than doubled from $431 million in 2006 to $919 million this year. It's another sop for the teachers' union.
How is it that Virginia managed to create a budget surplus without raising taxes in just six months after Governor Bob McDonnell took office? It's because McDonnell cut spending. Any questions?
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: January 20, 2012
