The special session started yesterday with brief floor sessions followed by hearings in the Senate and House budget and tax committees on the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2012 and the State and Local Revenue and Financing Act of 2012.   It is anticipated that both the Senate and House will approve the budget plan by Wednesday.

As reported by the Gazette:

Maryland’s Senate Budget and Taxation Committee passed a budget plan Monday afternoon that would raise income tax rates for high-income Marylanders and undo the so-called “doomsday” cuts that were set to go into place after lawmakers failed to reach a spending plan compromise during the regular session.

Democratic leaders anticipate two budget bills will be voted on by both chambers by Wednesday. The full Senate is expected to vote on the committee’s version during a Monday evening session.

The bills are expected to take longer in the House, where there is greater opposition to various aspects of the proposals and where the bills are being considered by both the Appropriations and Ways and Means committees.

The full Senate  debated and approved both bills on second reader yesterday evening and will take up the bills on third reader this morning.  The House is scheduled to debate the bills on second reader today, with final passage anticipated tomorrow.

The Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2012 includes the shift of teacher pension costs to county governments.

Additional coverage of the special session can be found in the publications listed below.

Baltimore Sun (limited free views available)
Capital-Gazette
Frederick News Post
Washington Examiner
Washington Post
Washington Times