Democrats refuse to budge in budget standoff, Hogan remains 'hopeful'

As the hours tick down to a midnight deadline to pass a budget, Maryland Democrats Monday morning refused to consider Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's suggested compromise.

In rhetoric that has heightened since the weekend, they said they have done everything they plan to do to resolve the rift.

"We're not done negotiating," Senate President Mike Miller said. "But we're not going to negotiate against ourselves."

Top leaders from the Senate and House of Delegates told reporters they have or are on track to deliver most of Hogan's legislative agenda by the end of the day: a repeal of the so-called "rain tax," a tax break for military retirees, more flexibility for charter schools, and a way to replenish the public campaign financing fund.

But they said the would not acquiesceto Hogan's idea to choose among sending money to schools, paying for some pregnant women to be on Medicaid, paying for heroin addition treatmentand a long list of other health care-related initiatives.

"We can not pick and choose amongst our constituent groups," Miller said."We have done our job. We're asking for the second floor to do its job as well."

Hogan remained cheerful in early afternoon, posing for pictures with visitors in African garb along with Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherfordon Lawyers Mall.

"The ball's in their court. We made a substantive proposal to them on Saturday," he said. "We gave them a tremendous proposal."

Hogan said he would consider the session a success even if no agreement is reached.

"It'll be the first time in a decade we haven't had tax increases and it'll be probably the most fiscally responsible budget in 40 years," he said.

See more here:
Democrats refuse to budge in budget standoff, Hogan remains 'hopeful'

Related Posts

Comments are closed.