The Maryland Chamber of Commerce will prioritize transportation funding solutions, business taxes, data privacy, and military retirement relief in the 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly.
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce, representing a coalition of more than 6,800 businesses, advocates for pro-business policies that drive economic growth and benefit people, businesses, and communities. Each year, the Chamber identifies its Legislative Priorities and Anticipated Critical Issues, which guide its advocacy for the legislative session.
Among its top priorities for the 2024 session is advocating for equitable transportation funding solutions and a first-class transportation network. As previously reported on Conduit Street, Governor Moore and his Transportation Secretary have laid out hard decisions ahead, as the State faces a shortfall in its Transportation Trust Fund supporting all modes of transportation statewide.
Read this social media thread for some critical context for where we’ve been with Highway User Revenues and where these cuts will land and exacerbate the already dicey situation for counties:
According to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce:
Our top priorities for the 2024 Legislative Session include:
- Business Taxes — As Maryland’s FY 2024 budget remains uncertain alongside expectations of budget deficits in the coming years, the Maryland Chamber supports responsible government spending alongside targeted cuts to maintain key government programs while avoiding new cost burdens on businesses. We urge Governor Moore and the General Assembly to develop well-balanced fiscal strategies that promote economic stability and foster job creation without disproportionately impacting Maryland’s business community. Policy makers must consider the trade-off between generating new revenue and enhancing Maryland’s economic competitiveness.
- Transportation Funding Solutions — As Maryland continues to incentivize electric vehicle adoption, it is imperative the General Assembly take steps to address the sustainability of the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) and its reliance on the gas-tax as a key funding source. The TTF is Maryland’s primary source of funding for infrastructure and transportation needs. Enhanced and sustainable funding solutions are necessary for Maryland’s economy and the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. As such, the Maryland Chamber will use our voice on the Maryland Commission on Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs to advocate for equitable transportation funding solutions and a first-class transportation network.
- Data Privacy — The General Assembly has consistently considered data privacy legislation for several years. The Maryland Chamber supports a comprehensive approach to data privacy, enforced by Maryland’s Attorney General, keeping in mind policies already adopted by neighboring states. Avoiding a patchwork of laws provides a clear set of rules for businesses, no matter their location.
- Military Retirement Relief — Recognizing the many benefits veterans bring to their communities, Maryland’s neighboring states have made it a priority to recruit and retain military retirees. As a result, Maryland continues to suffer brain drain as military retirees take their talents and experiences elsewhere. With a high concentration of cybersecurity, intelligence and defense related jobs alongside major workforce challenges, it is time Maryland’s elected leaders get serious about veteran retention. The Maryland Chamber supports the elimination of the state income tax on uniformed services retirement pay. The elimination of the state income tax on military retirement pay will make Maryland competitive in retaining veterans and their families while solving a major workforce challenge.
- Increasing Child Care Availability — The Maryland Chamber has supported legislation and budget initiatives in the past several sessions aimed at incentivizing the opening of new childcare facilities, as well as the expansion of existing ones. The cost and availability of childcare remains a contributing factor to Marylanders’ decisions to return to the workforce. Addressing Maryland’s workforce shortage must be a priority issue for the Governor and the General Assembly. In fact, according to data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Maryland only has 40 workers for every 100 jobs in the state, ranking the state in the third most severe worker shortage index in the country. As such, we will continue to support legislative and budget initiatives in the 2024 session to expand and support childcare facilities, allowing Marylanders to get back to work and address this critical piece of the workforce shortage.
Visit the Maryland Chamber of Commerce website for more information.
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