Last Day For Md. General Assembly's Session
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Lawmakers only have a few hours left to wrap up this year's session.
Derek Valcourt has more on what's been accomplished and what's still on the table.
There may be dozens of bills waiting for action this year, but so far Monday, there has been a debate on just two bills that has tied up the legislature for much of the day.
A proposal to increase the alcohol tax by three percent didn't wash down smoothly for some House Republicans, especially when Democrats cut the debate short to vote.
"How dare you shut down this debate? How dare you take away our rights?" said one.
Many Democrats argue the bill would bring $85 million in revenue that would go mostly for new school construction and to help get hundreds of disabled people off the waiting list for the critical services they need to survive.
But, arguing the alcohol tax unfairly burdened businesses, opponents took their time trying to stop it.
"You know, there's one thing Republicans can do: we can slow down the train," said one.
Democrats prevailed and the Senate now has to take up the House version of the bill.
Meanwhile, senators were caught up in their own debate: a fierce fight over granting in-state tuition rates to Maryland's illegal immigrant high schools, like Jesus Perez, whose parents brought him here to the U.S. when he was just five.
"We will give back to the community in the long run, if they really think about it. We have future doctors, lawyers, nurses..." Perez said.
But the Republicans fought back with a filibuster, reading from a book until the chamber voted to send the bill back to a conference committee.
A bill that would have protected transgender people from discrimination has essentially been killed for the year. Also up in the air, the medical marijuana bill both sides have passed, but they still need to iron out some of their differences.
In the rush to finish the session, the Senate passed a bill to let dog lovers eat with their pets at outdoor restaurants. When the governor signs the bill, you can dine out with your dog starting in July.
