House Republicans on Monday called on Democratic Gov. Wes Moore to veto four bills that would increase state fees on various licenses, permits and other filings.
The letter from the 39-member House Republican Caucus was released a day before Moore was scheduled to hold his third post-legislative bill signing of the 2025 session.
“On numerous occasions, you have indicated your concerns about the impact federal actions can have on Maryland families and businesses,” the caucus wrote in its letter to Moore. “We would respectfully submit that the hundreds of new or increased taxes and fees Maryland’s families and businesses have had to absorb over the last several years have had a more significant and immediate impact on every Marylander.”
None of the bills objected to in the letter are among the 193 set to be signed during a noon ceremony Tuesday. Moore has until May 27 to decide to sign, veto or allow bills to become law without his signature.
“As Gov. Moore reviews the hundreds of bills put forward this session, he will continue to work with the state legislature, local leaders, and all partners involved to ensure that we are signing legislation that will make Maryland safer, more affordable, more competitive, and the state that serves,” a Moore spokesperson said in an email.
Included on the Republican list are four bills: Senate Bills 250 and 425, which increase Maryland Department of Environment fees, and allow the state to collect fees on coal combustion byproducts from former coal plant operators, respectively; and House Bills 719 and 796, which raise boat title, license and other fees, and increase the cost to file a foreclosure action, respectively.
Some fees of the Department of the Environment fees in SB 250 have not been increased since the 1990s.
Combined, all four bills are projected to bring in tens of millions in additional revenues. Much of that money is earmarked for specific programs such as the clean air and private dam restoration funds.
The caucus, in its letter, noted a budget containing “numerous taxes and fees, representing the largest tax increase in ” state history in addition to the fees contained in the four bills.
The budget passed this year by the General Assembly includes roughly $1.6 billion in tax and fee increases. That package includes a new 3% sales tax on data and IT services.
“Our citizens need a break from the state government’s relentless attack on their wallets,” the caucus wrote in its letter.
Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: scrane@marylandmatters.org. Follow Maryland Matters on Facebook and Twitter.