Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association is testifying today against Maryland HB 1554/SB 1054, which proposes a business-to-business (B2B) service tax that would place an undue burden on many Maryland businesses, creating a competitive disadvantage in the region and ultimately raising costs for consumers.

While Maryland faces budget challenges, implementing a B2B service tax would be just a short-term fix that risks long-term harm to the state’s economy. The tax would disproportionately impact small businesses, many of which operate on thin margins and lack the resources to absorb new costs. This could force businesses to make difficult choices to raise prices, cut staff, or reduce investments in growth.

Additionally, Maryland would become an outlier among its neighbors, as Virginia and Delaware do not impose similar taxes – creating an incentive for businesses to move operations or service providers across state lines. Unlike a traditional sales tax on final purchases, this B2B tax would apply at multiple stages of business operations, meaning companies would be taxed on services they purchase to run their business. These higher costs would ultimately be passed down to Maryland consumers, making the true financial impact far greater than the proposed 2.5% rate suggests.

The following statement can be attributed to Megan Stokes, State Policy Director for CCIA:

“Maryland’s businesses – especially its small businesses – shouldn’t be saddled with new, unnecessary costs that would weaken their ability to grow and compete. This tax would create significant financial strain, push some businesses to relocate, and drive up costs for Maryland consumers. We urge Maryland lawmakers to reject HB 1554 and SB 1054 and instead focus on policies that foster economic expansion and stability.”

The 1975 murder of a Maryland woman was finally solved with the help of an old cassette tape and the mugshot of the victim, authorities announced Tuesday.

The cold case of Roseann Sturtz, who was strangled to death after meeting her assailant at a bar on Aug. 24, 1975, was a mystery for decades until Howard County police revived the probe late last year and uncovered evidence a convicted killer already in prison committed the crime.

Detectives discovered a 1981 audio tape in which Charles William Davis Jr., then incarcerated at Jessup Correctional Institute, was asked about the murder in exchange for not facing charges in the case.

At the time, Davis could not identify Sturtz, who lived in Baltimore and went by Ann, as one of his victims after he was shown a photo taken of her several years before her murder, police said.

But Howard County police Cpl. Wade Zufall then brought Davis from the same jail to police headquarters last year to interview him again 44 years later.

He showed Davis a more recent photo of Sturtz – her in a mugshot — from a month before she was killed.

This time he identified her as one of his victims and admitted to the slaying.

Footage released from the interview shows Sturtz nodding his head as he took a look at the photo.

“In November 2024, we were grateful to have all the case details, learned Roseann’s actual date of death and receive the closure we have been praying for all these years — finally put to rest the answers we never had,” Sturtz’s family said in a statement through the police department.

Davis told police after meeting Sturtz at a bar, the pair got into an argument before the murder, Zufall said.

Davis landed on authorities’ radar in 1981 after police studied Davis’ confirmed victims and compared them to Sturtz, Zufall said during a press conference.

Davis can’t be charged with the murder, but is already in prison for life for other killings.

“His main reason why he wanted to talk to me … was he wanted to give closure to the family,” Zufall said.

After a beautiful Tuesday afternoon across Maryland, temperatures will be slightly cooler for the next few days.

Overnight temperatures will dip into the upper 30s and lower 40s under partly cloudy skies.

Expect a mix of clouds and sunshine on Wednesday, with highs reaching the lower 60s. An easterly wind will persist across the area from Wednesday afternoon through Friday, keeping temperatures slightly cooler.

A weak front will push into the region, reinforcing the cooler air through the end of the workweek. High temperatures on Thursday will range from the mid and upper 50s to the lower 60s, with warmer temperatures located south and west of Baltimore.

Friday will see little improvement, with highs mainly in the 50s to near 60 degrees. The coolest temperatures will be across the upper Eastern Shore and northeast Maryland. Skies will be mostly cloudy in the morning, although some breaks of sunshine are possible during the afternoon. However, stubborn cloud cover is expected to linger into the weekend.

Warmer temperatures are on the way this weekend as a storm system approaches from the west. Winds will shift to the south on Saturday, and highs will reach the mid-60s under cloudy skies. Rain chances will remain west of the area through Saturday night.

On Sunday, the approaching storm will bring a better chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Ahead of the storm, temperatures will rise to near 70 degrees. Winds will be gusty from the south, with speeds of 20 to 30 mph.

There will be a low-end threat for severe storms Sunday afternoon and evening. While instability appears limited, strong wind shear could enhance storm potential. Still, the overall severe weather threat remains very low.

Storm chances should diminish by early Monday morning, followed by cooler temperatures. Monday afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 50s.

Temperatures will rebound on Tuesday, with highs returning to the 60s and approaching 70 degrees by midweek.