Issue Position: Economic Growth and Reducing Your Tax Burden

Issue Position

Maryland Democrats have increased state spending by 25%, more than $10 billion in additional state spending in just the past seven years. How do we pay for this you ask? Well, with over 70+ taxes and fee increases enacted, Maryland's citizens and businesses paid over $8 billion in higher taxes, fees and tolls per year from FY 2008-2013.

A high tax burden stifles growth, weakens the economy and puts more people out of work. Our economy works best when individuals have more of their hard-earned income to spend, and businesses have money to invest.

Add constitutional lock-boxes for special funds, such as the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund or the Teacher's Pension, to the general fund. Stop transfers on special funds to the general fund.
Work to repeal recent tax increases, such as the Rain Tax and the Gas Tax increases
Cut the Individual Income Tax to allow citizens to keep more of their hard-earned money
State agency spending needs to be focused on the agency's core mission -- there is scope-creep and overlap that can easily be cut.
Prohibit unfunded mandates that inevitably result in new taxes, fees or surcharges.

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