Senate gives preliminary approval to $70.8 billion spending plan

By: Bryan P. Sears

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: March 18, 2026

Words: 1,202

Last Updated: 3 days, 12 hours ago

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An underperforming tax on IT and data services could be reevaluated in the coming year.

Senate Republicans fell just four votes shy of repealing the year-old surcharge during debate Tuesday on the state’s proposed $70.8 billion fiscal 2027 budget, which won preliminary approval. But Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) hinted after the floor session that there may be a willingness to alter or possibly repeal the tax.

Ferguson said that “probably all 47 …

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