Maryland General Assembly Passes $1B Pandemic Relief Measure
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland General Assembly passed a pandemic relief measure on Friday that will deliver more than $1 billion in tax relief and economic stimulus for low-income families and small businesses.
Lawmakers gave the bill final approval after the House withdrew provisions that would have expanded relief to families who use Individual Tax Identification Numbers instead of Social Security numbers. Critics of the proposal said it would have steered relief to undocumented immigrants.
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Leaders in the legislature say they plan to approve separate legislation next week for people who use ITIN numbers.
The pandemic relief measure passed on Friday was initially proposed by Gov. Larry Hogan. A spokesman for the governor says Hogan plans to sign the bill on Monday.
The package includes payments to low-income residents, including $500 for families and $300 for individuals who filed for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The measure includes $1,000 payments to people who have unemployment claims in limbo. It also includes up to $9,000 in tax relief for small businesses.
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