Keep Your Eye on the Proposed Tax Increases

Gov. O'Malley's proposed taxing increases are getting national attention -- and it's not favorable.

A Wall Street Journal editorial last month chronicled the governor's almost daily call for tax increases and pointed out we already have the 23rd highest tax burden among the 50 states.

By the Journal's reckoning, O'Malley's increases would raise $2 billion dollars to meet a supposed $1.5 billion deficit. It says that means $500 million more in spending, besides the increased spending that is causing the deficit.

It also points out that O'Malley claims the increases will reduce the taxes for 95 per cent of state taxpayers.

I'm not good at math, but that doesn't seem to make sense.

Guess Who Won't Pay the Service Tax

Gov. O'Malley's tax plan calls for taxes not just when you buy goods, but now when you purchase services. That means a tax on haircuts, labor for car maintenance and repairs, health clubs, etc., etc. It was pointed out that under the plan you would have to pay taxes for an accountant's help in paying your taxes.

Guess what class of service professionals won't be taxed. LAWYERS! How many lawyers are in the General Assembly, I wonder.