Special Session Roundup

The Washington Post reports on the many bills being introduced during the special session. Sen. Forehand (D-Montgomery) wants to: "increase the tax on alcoholic beverages from $1.50 to $3.50 a gallon for distilled spirits, from 40 cents to $1 a gallon for wine and from 9 to 25 cents a gallon for beer." Meanwhile, Alex Mooney (R-Frederick) seems determined to prove that he is every bit the stupid jerk claimed by his political opponents:

Meanwhile, Sen. Alexander X. Mooney (R-Frederick) is pushing to cut state funding of the AIDS prevention needle exchange program in Baltimore. "They say, 'You Republicans should come up with something to cut,' " Mooney said. "Here's something."

There you go, budget problem solved. Of course, the increased cost to the State in higher costs for care for AIDS patients will probably make this "cut" a net expenditure. But it shouldn't hurt the Moon Man's inevitable congressional run.

Sen. Barbara Frush (D-Prince George's) has proposed to eliminate the ICC. That bill has been referred to the Rules Committee which is a fancy way of saying sent away to die. Meanwhile, Gov. Martin O'Malley outlined how he plans to raise the money if slots doesn't pass:

O'Malley would shelve his plan to roll back the state property tax rate from 11.2 cents to 8.2 cents per $100 in assessed value.

About $300 million a year in dedicated school construction funding would not materialize. Nor would $60 million a year in dedicated funding to universities that could be used to hold down tuition costs.

O'Malley's proposal to expand access to health care would help fewer people, becoming a $100 million-a-year initiative rather than a $250 million-a-year initiative once fully phased in.

The Baltimore Sun ran a similar story on O'Malley's plans if slots aren't passed in addition to another story on a site being eyed by Baltimore City as a slots location. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown ties BRAC sweeteners to passing O'Malley's tax plan. The Annapolis Capital has a general story on the General Assembly's debate over O'Malley's plan.

In short, O'Malley and Brown are starting to put the screws to the legislature to get their budget plan passed. Whether or not you like the plan, this is a smart move by the Governor as nothing is going to happen unless he start pushing hard for it.