Gaithersburg lobbying team briefs council on Maryland mid‑session budget, taxes and housing bills

Theresa Hessler of Ashler Government Relations and Sarah Peters of Husch Blackwell Strategies gave Gaithersburg’s mayor and city council a mid‑session briefing on Maryland legislation and the budget on March 24, saying the General Assembly faces a roughly $3.3 billion deficit and a budget framework that includes new taxes and $2.3 billion in spending cuts.

“The Maryland General Assembly is in the final weeks,” Hessler said, outlining the deficit and the administration’s proposed framework, which she said includes a 3% tax on information technology and data services, a new top income tax bracket for residents earning more than $750,000, and changes to capital‑gains and other revenue sources.

Why it matters: the proposals and cuts under discussion in Annapolis could change state funding and mandates that affect Gaithersburg operations, local bond allocations and municipal programs. Lobbyists told the…