ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Maryland Senate panel has approved $37.5 million in tax credits over five years for defense contractor Northrop Grumman, if it keeps 10,000 employees in the state.
The bill was approved Wednesday in a bipartisan vote, sending it to the Senate.
Supporters say it's an important tool to keep jobs in Maryland. Opponents say it's a huge tax break for one company.
The bill was filed at the request of the Maryland Department of Commerce in Gov. Larry Hogan's administration. Both supporters and opponents noted that the Republican governor hasn't spoken out publicly in favor of it.
Matt Clark, Hogan's spokesman, says senior members of the governor's staff have testified in favor of the bill. He says it's time for lawmakers to do the right thing and pass the bill.
