Maryland
New proposal could eliminate federal income taxes for millions in Maryland
WASHINGTON (7News) — A new push in Washington could reshape how millions of Americans pay federal income taxes — but it’s already drawing sharp debate from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (DMd.) and other Democratic backers have unveiled a proposal that would eliminate federal income tax liability for a large share of workers by raising the thresholds at which income tax kicks in. Meanwhile, Republicans such as Rep. Jason Smith (RMo.) argue the idea could shift the tax burden and overlook other priorities.
“If you’re a family of four and you make $73,000 or less, you will pay zero in federal income taxes, that is about affordability. But yet every single Democrat voted against extending the child tax credit,” said Smith.
Under the plan championed by Van Hollen and allied lawmakers, individuals earning below $46,000 and married couples filing jointly earning under $92,000 would owe no federal income tax. Supporters say this would extend a form of relief to roughly half of U.S. workers, ensuring that many households keep more of their earnings without owing federal income tax.
“We play that Americans who are earning just enough to get by to meet their basic living expenses should not have to pay a federal income tax. And those who are in that range should be able to keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Van Hollen.
SEE ALSO | Should taxpayers pay for universal child care?
The proposal is part of a broader effort by some Democrats to address affordability and the rising cost of living by reducing tax burdens for middleincome workers. Supporters argue it would ease financial pressure on households struggling with inflation and stagnant wages.
To offset the revenue losses from such tax cuts, Democratic backers propose funding the plan in part with a surtax on incomes above $1million and other targeted tax changes on higherincome earners, a structure they say would keep the plan progressive and sustainable.
Republicans and policy experts have questioned the plan’s feasibility and longterm effects. Some GOP lawmakers point to tax provisions passed last year under President Donald Trump — such as expanded deductions and changes to how certain income is taxed — as alternatives that already provide relief to families, including seniors and workers who earn tips or overtime.
Rep. Jason Smith, a senior Republican voice on tax policy, has been critical of Democratic tax proposals, arguing they may overlook broader fiscal priorities and fail to extend key benefits for families. He has also highlighted efforts by Republicans to preserve or enhance tax benefits like the Child Tax Credit in past legislative deals.
The debate comes amid ongoing discussions in Congress about how to balance tax relief with funding for government programs such as healthcare, education, and social safety net initiatives. While Van Hollen’s proposal focuses on reducing or eliminating federal income taxes for a large group of taxpayers, critics warn that without careful offsets and broader policy planning, such changes could stress the federal budget or shift the tax burden in ways that benefit some groups more than others.
SEE ALSO | Senate advances housing reform amid affordability crisis
Some analysts also point out that eliminating income taxes for portions of the workforce wouldn’t change other tax obligations like payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare or state and local taxes, meaning realworld savings might be more modest for families once all tax liabilities are considered.
Even if the proposal gains traction among some Democrats, it faces significant hurdles in a closely divided Congress. Republicans controlling the House have advanced alternative tax policies and broader affordability packages that include their own tax priorities. Without bipartisan support or inclusion in a larger budget reconciliation package, the Van Hollen plan may struggle to advance on its own.
As lawmakers continue to negotiate tax and affordability measures ahead of the 2026 elections, the tax debate is likely to remain a central issue.
Supporters said the plan could offer meaningful relief for middleincome families. Opponents caution that its fiscal and economic impacts need careful evaluation before it can be considered viable federal policy.
The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”
Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.
“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.
The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.
Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.
It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.
The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.
“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.
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Baltimore may be under an extreme heat alert, but residents can dream about autumn, as tickets are now on sale for the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in October.
This three-day celebration of home and garden takes place from Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Expect hundreds of exhibitors, local makers, home improvement experts, family-friendly experiences and celebrity guests. The show offers everyone the chance to explore the very latest in home improvement, landscaping, outdoor living and decor, the chance to take part in hands-on experiences, and do some holiday shopping all under one roof.
This year’s show will have more than 300 exhibitors, including more than 100 crafters from around Maryland in the Makers Market. There will be unique exhibits, stage presentations and a special appearance by Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and Ryan Eldridge from Magnolia Network’s hit series “Maine Cabin Masters.” The three will have two Main Stage appearances, one on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. and the second on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.
“As temperatures start to drop and the holiday season comes into view, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show is a place to gather ideas, meet local experts and get inspired before the busy season begins,” said Dave Paul, show manager, in a statement. “Whether attendees are planning a home project, looking for outdoor living ideas or getting a head start on holiday shopping, the show brings together resources and experiences for every kind of homeowner, maker and DIY enthusiast.”
In addition to the Makers Market and stars of “Maine Cabin Masters”, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show will have a petting zoo, a Kids Market where attendees can shop from local children, and much more.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Prices are as follows:
Online:
- Adults: $8
- Senior Citizens (60+): $6
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- 4-Pack Online: $30 for four tickets, valid for one admission each and one day only
At the door:
- Adults: $10
- Senior Citizens (60+): $8
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- Friday & Saturday: $4 after 4 p.m. at the door only
Special Offers:
- Active and retired military personnel, veterans, firefighters and police officers receive free admission all weekend, along with one guest, with valid ID at the box office.
- Attendees who show a CharmPass app, Light RailLink ticket or eligible transit pass at the box office receive free admission any day of the show. One admission is available per pass.
The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road in Lutherville-Timonium.
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Maryland
Maryland police arrest alleged bank robber wielding stolen cat: ‘Tried to use her as an accessory’
Law enforcement agencies are accustomed to dealing with cat burglars – but now a Maryland police department is saying it grappled with a cat-wielding bank robber.
The Prince George’s county police department said its officers arrested a man suspected of stealing a cat and then taking the animal with him to a PNC bank branch in the local community of Beltsville to rob the establishment on Monday morning.
“The cat was returned” after the suspect was arrested, the police department said in a statement to the Guardian on Tuesday. The agency said no injuries were reported, and it declined to name the suspect or release additional details, saying the case – bound for a spot in the annals of bizarre reported US crimes – remained under investigation.
Nonetheless, a social media post from rescue shelter Beltsville Community Cats provided more information.
A Beltsville Community Cats Facebook page post on Monday identified the cat at the center of the alleged botched caper as Magnolia, a three-and-a-half-month-old tuxedo kitten. The shelter recounted how the suspect first snatched Magnolia from her “adoption habitat” at Beltsville’s Pet Supplies Plus store, took her across the parking lot to a PNC branch, and “tried to use her as an accessory in [an] attempted robbery”.
“He asked the bank manager to hold the kitten while he wrote a note, then handed the note to a teller demanding all the cash,” the post continued. “Thankfully, the robbery was unsuccessful, the suspect was arrested, and Magnolia was found safe and sound in the bank manager’s office, where the two had bonded over their shared ordeal.”
Pet Supplies Plus store employees told the NBC affiliate in nearby Washington DC that Magnolia’s cat napper had come in daily for about two weeks and focused on the kitten each time.
Finally, on Monday, he managed to use a key to open a cat adoption area and whisked Magnolia away, store employees said to the outlet, WRC.
Store manager Aaron Kurkowski told WRC that Magnolia’s thief “came in and saw none of my team was nearby the front – and he just went right to her and ran right on out”.
According to WRC, Stephanie Stullich of Beltsville Community Cats then received a call from a pet store employee who alerted her to Magnolia’s plight.
That prompted Stullich to run over to the store, where she said to WRC that she “immediately saw all of these police cars and … thought, ‘Wow, that’s a heck of a response for a stolen cat’.”
“But then I realized they all were going down to the bank,” Stullich recalled to WRC. “They came back out a few minutes later and said, ‘Yes, there is a cat inside the bank.’”
Two days before her catnapping, Magnolia was the subject of a Beltsville Community Cats Facebook post inviting people to see her at Pet Supplies Plus and consider adopting her.
Magnolia as of Monday was still waiting to be adopted, Beltsville Community Cats said in its post detailing the bank robbery.
The non-profit organization offered members of the public the opportunity to apply to adopt Magnolia by emailing rescue@beltsvillecats.net.
Beltsville Community Cats’ post also joked that Magnolia’s “brief ‘life of crime’ is behind her” – except for undoubtedly “stealing” hearts, treats, toys and cuddles wherever her forever home may be.
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