Proposed Md. Constitutional amendment would see direct vote on raising taxes from General Assembly

MARYLAND – Maryland Delegate Nino Mangione is looking to change the way the state increases taxes on Marylanders, moving forward.

Del. Mangione says the state should not be able to have indexed legislation like the state’s gas tax, which is tied to inflation and goes up every year without a vote. His amendment would require a top-down vote anytime the Maryland General Assembly wants to raise taxes.

Del. Mangione tells 47 ABC WMDT it’s a way of increasing accountability. He hopes it could also lead to some more conservative spending.

“If any member feels it’s important to raise a tax or fee for any reason, that’s their prerogative. I’m fine with that. I’m just saying, I firmly believe that there should be a public vote, and a record, so the taxpayers know what actions we take on any given issue,” said Del. Mangione.

Del. Mangione says the measure, if it were to move forward, would be a ballot initiative, allowing voters to decide if it were to go into effect. He tells us if that happens it could be on the ballot by 2026.