The General Assembly agreed Monday to sweeping changes in Maryland’s criminal justice policies, but failed to reach a deal that would have given residents their first major income tax break in nearly two decades.
“We wish we had come to an agreement, but we didn’t,” House Speaker Michael E. Busch said.
The tax negotiations unraveled in the hours before the Assembly’s midnight deadline to adjourn, prompting Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller to suggest the “remote possibility” the legislature hold a special session to approve what was once a widely supported plan to reduce taxes by roughly $250 million.
Democrats negotiating the cuts got stuck over how far up the income scale the breaks should go.
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said Democratic leaders “dropped the ball” and questioned the value of recalling lawmakers to Annapolis, which would cost roughly $20,000 each day the legislature is convened.
“These guys can’t seem to get their act together,” Hogan said. “I’m not sure that would change with a special session.”