Governor Larry Hogan laid out an ambitious plan in his first state of the state address beginning with a promise to begin his efforts to bring tax relief to Marylanders.
The Republican blamed high taxes, over regulation and an anti-business atmosphere for the struggling state economy.
Hogan’s tax program ranged from repealing income taxes on pensions for retired military, police, fire and first responders to doing away with automatic increase in the gas tax and a cut in personal property taxes for small business.
In addition, the Republican called for the repeal of the so-called "rain tax", a major mainstay of his election campaign.
But the governor emphasized that he was still spending record amounts for education even though it is less than was what budgeted.
On the political front he called for a commission to study redistricting and ending the gerrymandering that has been a hallmark of state politics.
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Democrats reacting to the governor address said that governor had gone too far.
Senate President Mike Miller said he was disappointed but hoped that the governor would grow into the job.
Republicans were thrilled with the address applauding Hogan for setting out an ambitious program.
Redistricting
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he wants to reform the state's legislative redistricting process.
Hogan said Wednesday in his State of the State address that he will create a bipartisan commission to study how to put the redistricting process in the hands of an independent, bipartisan commission.
Currently, the shaping of legislative districts every 10 years in Maryland is largely in the hands of the governor, who submits a proposed map to the Legislature, which votes on it.
Critics of the process say Maryland has some of the most gerrymandered congressional districts in the country. Gerrymandering is the process in which state officials draw congressional districts to benefit their party.
Charter Schools
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan plans to submit a measure to strengthen the state's charter school law.
Hogan, a Republican, mentioned his plans in his State of the State speech Wednesday.
Hogan says the measure will seek to expand choices for families and make it easier for more public charter schools to operate in the state.
Maryland enacted a charter-school program in 2003. An analysis by the state last month reported that there are now 53 charter schools in seven jurisdictions. The city of Baltimore has 37.
Hogan also says he will push for tax credits for people who make voluntary contributions to private or parochial schools. The measure has been debated in Maryland for more than a decade, winning passage in the Senate but failing to clear the House.
Public Campaign Finance
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan wants to replenish the public campaign finance fund that helped him win in November.
Hogan said in his State of the State speech Wednesday that he will submit legislation to reinstate the voluntary check-off which allows a taxpayer to make a donation to the state's public campaign financing system.
Hogan, a Republican, became the first gubernatorial candidate to win the election in Maryland using public campaign finance funds. He received about $2.6 million for his campaign, and he was limited to spending that much.
Heather Mizeur also used public campaign finance funds in her unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor last year.
The fund has been drained down to under $1.5 million, which would not be enough to fund candidates at the levels it did.
