By Christopher Meyer and Seth Thomas As the 2021 legislative session nears, Maryland policymakers must make important choices about how to respond to the fiscal impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the impacts on Maryland families and communities. The
Executive Summary Tobacco consumption and its associated health problems create billions in added health care costs in Maryland and contribute to health disparities facing Black Marylanders. Policies to reduce tobacco consumption, such as a prohibition on the sale of flavored
It is more critical than ever that Maryland undertake serious review of its spending on incarceration and other parts of the criminal legal system. Our latest report outlines how changing our approach to the state’s criminal legal system would open
The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic took a smaller-than-expected bite out of Maryland state revenues for the budget year that ended June 30, according to new data from the state Comptroller’s Office. General fund revenues for fiscal year 2020
More than 100,000 essential workers in Maryland rely on Medicaid for health insurance coverage, according to a recent analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, but neither federal nor state policymakers have done enough to protect these workers’
The coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on Maryland communities’ deep reliance on the workers who keep families fed, care for aging adults, and maintain sanitary public spaces. Yet these same workers too often take home wages that cannot support
Workers at Amazon, Instacart, and Target walked off the job on May 1 to protest inadequate pay, safety measures, and other basic protections. The COVID-19 pandemic has vividly illustrated the vital role grocery workers, delivery workers, and others in service-industry
While there is enormous uncertainty about the severity, duration, and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasingly clear that the crisis is causing deep economic harm to Maryland communities, in addition to the severe public health impacts. Our
As policymakers take increasingly aggressive steps to slow the spread of coronavirus, business closures and layoffs have amplified fears of an economic downturn. While policymakers’ immediate focus must be to protect Marylanders’ health, it is also vital to take effective
An effective revenue system is an essential tool to enable Maryland to invest in the foundations of our economy such as education, health care, and transportation. Just as importantly, a fair tax system is essential to push back against the
