The Maryland House of Delegates could give its final approval Wednesday to a fiscal 2026 spending plan that includes more than $1 billion in new taxes.
House Democrats and Republicans engaged in a sometimes testy, nearly seven hour debate of a two-bill package. Republicans, who make up less than 30% of the 141-member House, offered up 20 proposed amendments on those two bills.
House Appropriations Chair Ben Barnes (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) said Republican amendments would make cuts to education in some counties, aid to poor children, and students with disabilities.
“So yeah, you know what? This is a difference in values. We disagree,” Barnes said. “And it’s nice that we can finally have a real conversation about our difference in values, because we would rather tax millionaires a little more so that students with disabilities can get the services they need; because we would rather take a little cut to tourism rather than a cut to every kid in this state or families who need Medicaid.
“So look, we can argue this all day,” he said. “We have a difference in values. The paper says what it says. We disagree. We chart a different path.”
