Maryland’s Economy Is Making Progress, but Too Many Are Still Locked Out
Many families in Maryland saw their standard of living improve in 2016, according to census data released last week.
An Unregulated Tax Preparation Industry Harms Maryland Families
Last Saturday, I was finishing preparing a client’s tax return at the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in west Baltimore that I run. As we were completing the signature pages, she asked me if preparers could file your taxes
Tax Day: Our Shared Investments in Maryland
What kind of state do you want Maryland to be? For most of us, the answer is straightforward. We want to live in safe neighborhoods with reliable roads and amenities like well-maintained parks. We want to send our kids to
Earned Income Tax Credit Leaves Single Taxpayers Behind
Over the next couple of months, as Marylanders file their income taxes and many anxiously wait for state refunds, legislators will be considering whether to expand the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is widely hailed by Democrats
Maryland’s State Tax Policies Reduce Some Inequality but Have a Long Way to Go
State tax policies often are a culprit in increasing income inequality. Maryland now ranks 24th in the nation for income disparity between the richest 5 percent of households and the poorest 20 percent, despite past attempts to close the gap.
What We’re Watching in the 2017 Legislative Session
Lawmakers began considering hundreds of bills as the Maryland General Assembly began its 90-day legislative session this week. At least a handful of these bills have the potential to affect prosperity for average Marylanders for years to come. Here are
Rising Incomes in the State Still Leave Too Many Marylanders Behind
Last year, typical Maryland families saw their largest income gains since the Great Recession. At the same time, about one in 10 state residents still struggle to afford basic necessities such as food and housing. While last year’s progress is
Tax-free Shopping Week is a Bad Investment for Maryland
When Maryland parents head to stores this sales-tax-free shopping week to restock the school essentials their kids need, they won’t be getting quite the bargain they might think. As good as they sound, these short-term tax-free shopping promotions do little
Baltimore One Year After the Death of Freddie Gray
Today marks one year since Freddie Gray’s death and, like many Baltimoreans, it is prompting me to reflect on the past year and where our city and our state are headed. In some ways, we have made a lot of