Category — In the News
Baltimore leaders, clergy push for budget fix
May 1, 2012
Faith community leaders said they support increasing the sales tax on little cigars and other tobacco products to 70 percent -- doing so would help expand health care coverage. They also support increasing the state income tax rate.... Read more »
Faith Leaders Want Budget Cuts Restored
Lawmakers are expected to return to Annapolis in mid-May to address the budget situation which also threatens 500 state employee jobs.... Read more »
Religious leaders trying to prevent ‘doomsday’ in Maryland
More than 30 religious leaders called on Maryland's political leaders Monday to conduct a special session without further delay, arguing cuts from the so-called "doomsday" budget would hurt the state's low-income residents and vulnerable populations.... Read more »
Health care reform: good for business
April 2, 2012
As a small business owner, I am not a constitutional scholar, but I can definitively say this: the Affordable Care Act is cutting my health care costs and helping my business.... Read more »
Momentum for tobacco tax increase builds
March 8, 2012
A push by public health advocates to increase the tax on cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco has gained momentum in Annapolis.... Read more »
Health exchanges will benefit Maryland families
It's no wonder Maryland families are so hard pressed to find good, affordable health insurance — premiums have outpaced earnings, and the field of insurance options is confusing. Even if a family is fortunate enough to have coverage, it's hard to know if what you're paying for is going to be there for you when you need it. That's why our Health Care for All Coalition is so excited about Gov.Martin O'Malley's health care bill (SB 238). By setting up a competitive insurance marketplace for private health insurance, also known as an exchange, this bill will give Marylanders more choice, more control and more peace of mind about their health care.... Read more »
Coalition calls MD’s alcohol tax a success
February 8, 2012
A coalition that pushed an alcohol tax increase last year is calling the tax a success and turning its efforts toward assuring that the new revenue is spent the way it was intended.... Read more »
Md. health advocates cheer allocation of proceeds from alcohol tax increase
January 25, 2012
Most of the money raised by a 50 percent increase in Maryland’s sales tax on alcohol has been allocated for health needs under Gov. Martin O’Malley’s budget, said health advocates who cheered the result Tuesday.... Read more »
Alcohol tax money directed to health programs
Gov.Martin O'Malley has proposed $64 million in health programs this year that his administration has identified as having been funded by the alcohol tax.... Read more »
Proposal to raise MD cigar tax attacked: Denounced as a business burden
January 20, 2012
The governor’s support gives the tax a stronger chance of ending up in the final budget, though tobacco lobbyists and opposing lawmakers could push for its removal.... Read more »
