A coalition of 160 nonprofit organizations and 44 community leaders have united in calling on Governor Wes Moore and Maryland legislative leaders to adopt the Fair Share Maryland plan to address the state's structural budget deficits and protect vital community services.
In a letter to Governor Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones, from Maryland Nonprofits, the coalition emphasized the urgent need for revenue system reforms to prevent cuts to essential services while providing relief to low and moderate-income families.
"Our state faces worsening structural budget deficits, which has a devastating impact on the communities that nonprofits serve," said Heather Iliff, President & CEO of Maryland Nonprofits. "By adopting the Fair Share Maryland plan with common sense reforms in closing tax loopholes and modest increases on wealthy taxpayers, we can expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit to benefit 850,000 Marylanders while creating a more sustainable long-term budget for Maryland."
The diverse coalition includes organizations spanning healthcare, education, environmental protection, arts, and social services. The coalition urges building upon strategic investments made in the 2024 General Assembly session rather than scaling back future budgets.
The Fair Share Maryland plan recognizes that low and moderate income Marylanders pay a higher share of their income in state and local taxes than wealthy Marylanders do. Local businesses pay higher rates in taxes than many large corporations that can take advantage of tax loopholes. Fair Share Maryland aims to create a more equitable tax system while securing the state's fiscal stability.
For more information about the Fair Share Maryland plan, visit fairsharemaryland.org.
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About Maryland Nonprofits
Founded in 1992, Maryland Nonprofits supports and advocates for over 1,800 member organizations, representing the 40,000+ nonprofits in Maryland. The organization provides expert consultation, advocacy, and educational resources to help nonprofits succeed.
Maryland Nonprofits is the proud home of the Standards for Excellence Institute, Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU), and the Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth (MARFY).
Maryland Nonprofits envisions an inclusive culture where dismantling racism and oppressive systems is an ongoing part of our awareness, work, reality, and outcomes. It is committed to challenging systems of power, aiming to provide full access to resources and opportunities for those affected by oppression, ensuring they have the chance to thrive and achieve a high quality of life.
Learn more at www.marylandnonprofits.org.
