Budget approved by Maryland Senate, including income tax

The Maryland Senate passed a budget legislation on Thursday that includes an increase in income tax for most taxpayers, which led a Republican lawmaker to say, during a sensitive debate, that “Karl Marx would be proud,” referring to higher taxes on the wealthy. A Democratic lawmaker described the comments as offensive. The Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, voted 26 to 20 for the income tax increase.

On Wednesday evening, the income tax bill was changed in order to collect more money from couples with taxable income of more than $500,000. After deductions, a top bracket of 5.75 percent will apply to all of their taxable income. The new budget would raise an estimated $30 million on top of the initial proposal, which did not apply the increase from the first dollar. The individuals in this bracket will endure a cost of $2,500 more a year. Democrats who supported the increase described the legislation as a fair and progressive way to maintain strong education funding. The new budget legislation now goes to the House of Delegates.