Gov. Martin O'Malley wants to tax salons in Maryland

[Ezliving_Jim]

The Bills to tax Maryland taxpayers $2 Billion more are introduced.

This includes a 20% increase in the sales tax, a new sales tax on indoor tanning, higher gasoline taxes and much much more.

Senate SB-2 http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/billfile/sb0002.htm

If you are against Governor O'Malley's $2 Billion Tax Increase, contact your district Senator and all the Senators on the BUDGET & TAXATION COMMITTEE http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/com/01bud.html

House of Delegates HB-2 http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/billfile/hb0002.htm

Contact your district Delegate and all the Delegates on the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/com/07ways.html

Do It Now!
This legislation will probably pass or fail before Thanksgiving.

[Ezliving_Jim]

If there is a message coming from the Maryland Legislators this Special Session, it is that apparently the State of Maryland is doomed if tanning salon owners don't start paying a sales tax on our services. I am exaggerating only a little.

There are now 4 bills introduced that call for tanning services to be taxed. This is overwhelming.

Tanning services is the only service that is tapped in all 4 bills for new taxation! How did we get so lucky?

Honestly, I was sick with the flu for a few days and I missed 2 days of hearings already! I am going to try to see as many Legislators at the Statehouse tomorrow as possible.

The next Hearings are scheduled for this weekend, on Saturday.

If anyone representing the indoor tanning industry spoke out at the hearings on Wednesday or Thursday, I don't know who that person is. My money is on "nobody."

I pray everyone is calling and emailing all the Delegates and Senators on the committees and your home districts.

I wish I could say I feel optimistic, but I am not. Tanning salons are painted targets and the Sales Tax Missiles are headed towards your front door.
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House of Delegates HB-11 http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/billfile/hb0011.htm

Hearing 11/3 at 10:00 a.m. Ways and Means

House of Delegates HB-18 http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/billfile/hb0018.htm

Hearing 11/3 at 10:00 a.m. Ways and Means

House of Delegates HB-2 http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/billfile/hb0002.htm

Hearing 10/31 at 1:00 p.m. Ways and Means & Appropriations
Hearing 11/1 at 10:00 a.m. Ways and Means & Appropriations

Senate SB-2 http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/billfile/sb0002.htm

Hearing 10/31 at 1:00 p.m. Budget and Taxation
Hearing 11/1 at 10:00 a.m. Budget and Taxation

[Ezliving_Jim]

I spent some time down at the Maryland Legislature yesterday.

Long story short, MD Republicans are all against the $2 Billion state tax increases.

Most Democrats will do as they are told by their leadership and vote for the tax increases.

A few moderate Democrats will join the Republicans to oppose the bills.

Will there be enough opposition to kill the bills? I don't know.

Odds favor it getting passed in the HoD. Hopefully, it all dies on the floor of the Senate.

[Ezliving_Jim]

More time spent today in Annapolis at the Legislature.

I'm beat, but not beaten.

The strategy I wrote about yesterday is getting better organized.

If just 5 Democratic Senators join Republicans, the Governor's $2 Billion Tax Increase (including the tanning tax) can be filibustered to death in the Senate.

There are, of course, indoctrinated tax and spend Democrats that haven't ever seen a tax increase that they didn't like. It's a waste of time to call them because they will vote for the new taxes even with a tsunami of opposition.

The moderate Democrats who are still listening to voters are the only hope to kill the tax bills.

To make your calling easier, here is a list: http://www.mdgop.org/images/MD/Call20Today.pdf

There are 20 on the list including Gov O'Malley and Speaker Busch. So there are only 18 Senators that may make the difference.

We only need 5!

Please, call today. Call everyday.

[mr belvedere]

Look, James, I'm not calling anyone but my broker to see how my Phiser portfolio did today, capiche? When in Rome, mon amis ... Political activism might work in Red Square, but not here in the good ole' U S of A. You gotta have mula and know people to get anything done on this greed ravaged hunk of a continent. ~sheesh~

[mr belvedere]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot ... Power to the People!!!, and Namaste! -Belvy

[Ezliving_Jim]

No need for you to call, Belvy, it's a state issue. We need Marylanders calling.

Hopefully, you are active in your opposition to anti-tanning salon legislation in your state.

If not, you will get what you deserve.

[mr belvedere]

I almost always do! hehe

[Ezliving_Jim]

Keep making calls and sendng emails to legislators! It is working!

In the Senate, yesterday, the sales tax bill was amended to eliminate a new sales tax on tanning, health clubs, massage and tattoos.

Instead, computer services, landscaping and arcades will get hit with the new sales tax in the current amended version.

More: Source

[eileen]

Great news Jim.... Maryland salon owners are lucky to have you!