ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Senate and House negotiators are scheduled to meet to reconcile budget differences.
The panel is planning to meet Tuesday afternoon.
Del. Maggie McIntosh, who is on the negotiating team, says the House and Senate are very close to resolving differences in the Democratic-led Legislature. However, she says they need to bring Republican Gov. Larry Hogan into the conversation.
Hogan said Monday he's concerned about how his agenda and the budget measures are progressing, with about a week to go in the session. The Republican governor says he hasn't seen enough action on tax-relief measures and a charter schools bill.
McIntosh says Democrats want assurances from the governor that he is committed to approving money they have restored for education and a cost-of-living adjustment for state employees.
Governor Critical
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan says he is concerned about how his legislative agenda and Maryland budget measures are progressing, as the Maryland General Assembly enters its last week.
Hogan said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press that he was elected because voters want more fiscal responsibility and tax relief. He says some in the Democratic-controlled Legislature "haven't quite gotten that message yet."
Hogan is especially critical of a change the Senate added to his proposal for a tax break for small businesses. The change added an audit of personal property tax returns filed by businesses on taxes they have paid.
The governor says that's "a nonstarter," because it would put a greater burden on businesses. Hogan says he hopes to work out a bipartisan solution by April 13.
