Education

Actions

Lawmakers looking for new way to fund Kirwan Education bill

Posted at 5:18 PM, Mar 06, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-06 17:18:45-05

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The bill looking to raise billions of dollars in taxes to cover the Kirwan Education bill has been defeated and now, Democrats are looking for a new way to fund it.

There was debate all afternoon from house members over several bills to iron out a new plan to find funding for the Kirwan Education bill.

"We can't afford to not make a commitment that every kid in Maryland deserves a great school."

While Democrats say we can't afford to not implement the bill and the taxes that go with it, Republicans say Marylander's can't afford to spend the money to cover it.

"The bottom line is Maryland is already one of the highest taxed states in the country, It currently has a depressing effect on our economy."

Since the first plan to expand the tax base to services that are not being taxed now failed, Democrats are looking for other ways to raise money to fund the education bill.

Democratic leaders know this plan will not be fully implemented for about 10 years.

Republicans say Maryland's tax structure has already impacted our state.

This bill is a part of a bundle of eight other tax bills that will be discussed in the house and senate.