ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan and Maryland Hosue Speaker Michael Busch have met to talk about the governor's legislative agenda.
David Brinkley, the Republican governor's budget secretary, said they had a good conversation Tuesday, though no assurances were given by the speaker. Brinkley says there's still time to make progress.
Hogan is not happy about the lack of progress on his tax-relief proposals. His push to provide tax credits for businesses that donate to private schools also is a tough sell in the House of Delegates.
The speaker, a Democrat, says he talked candidly about the difficulties some of the governor's proposals face in the House, though he did not elaborate.
The Legislature has restored funding to education and state employee pay to the budget. However, Hogan still would need to approve the funds.
Education Tax Credit
Critics of Gov. Larry Hogan's education tax credit are speaking out against his proposal.
On Wednesday the state's largest teachers union, along with ACLU-Maryland, Equality Maryland and the Maryland PTA are holding a news conference in Annapolis in opposition of a $5 million grant program.
The proposed measure would provide tax breaks to businesses that donate money to private and public schools. But opponents, including the Maryland State Education Association, worry that only private schools would benefit from the program.
Versions of the tax credit have passed the Senate in recent years, but have failed to make their way out of the House of Delegates.
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week, Hogan said the tax credit would be a part of ongoing budget negotiations.
