Today, the Maryland General Assembly ignored the pleas of the Maryland business community by passing a tax on digital advertising. During this unprecedented time of uncertainty, when Maryland businesses of all sizes are already being forced to make hard decisions involving lay-offs and shedding essential operations, the Maryland Legislature has added insult to injury by taxing businesses for communicating with their customers. Counter to the misguided claims of the lawmakers that voted for this tax, this law will punish Maryland’s economy, decrease Maryland’s tax base, and directly affect every small business across the state.
Lawmakers chose to ignore the claims that this bill violates federal law and the Constitution, and will be struck down accordingly. The Maryland government will now be forced to devote precious resources defending a misguided law, instead of focusing on addressing the state’s very real challenges with thoughtful solutions.
We ask that Governor Hogan veto this bill, and that the Maryland legislature reevaluate its misguided decision to pass this law in the first place.
