SALT deduction

Maryland's financial challenges are resurfacing via a report from the Department of Legislative Services projecting a $1.4 billion budget deficit in fiscal year 2027.

Maryland's comptroller reports the state is projecting a $189 million drop in general fund revenue due to the unfolding effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which could result in the state decoupling from federal tax laws.

Special budget sessions, falling tax revenues and provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are combining with tariffs and cuts to the federal workforce to create headaches for the states.

Changes to the federal tax code affect how states manage their budgets depending on how or if the state tax codes conform to the new rules.

The effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill have yet to make a dent in state and local budgets as market experts and academics look into the future with concern.

Most states have already enacted their budgets for the fiscal year as the effects of Medicaid restrictions and tax policy changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill are being analyzed and raising concern.

Market participants launched the largest lobbying effort in recent memory to protect municipal bonds and got what they wanted as the tax-exemption survived.

As the Senate-approved version of the reconciliation bill bounces back to the House, the SALT caucus that was key to its passage takes a look at SALT provision changes.

The Senate advanced the One Big Beautiful Bill Act through a procedural vote, opening the legislation for debate followed by Monday's vote-a-rama.

Working out the differences between the Senate and House budget bills might result in lawmakers reaching for ways to pay for extending tax cuts and finance new programs which could put tax-exempt munis back on the negotiating table.

Attorneys and muni advocates are concerned as the Senate reviews the budget reconciliation process against the "Byrd Rule."

Housing advocates are cheering the Senate's embrace of expanding Low Income Housing Tax Credits which ensures a volume increase and reduces a key bond threshold test.

As the Senate Finance Committee works on the the reconciliation puzzle, attorneys, accountants, and doctors are lobbying for keeping the pass-through exemptions that provide a workaround to the cap on state and local taxes in place.

The hard-fought increase to the cap on state and local tax deductions that was instrumental to passing the House GOP tax bill is under fire in the Senate.

The Senate returns to Washington with a ticking deadline clock to turn the House's One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law with questions remaining about the future of the SALT cap deduction and green energy tax credits.

As the budget reconciliation lurches through Congress towards a vote, the cap on state and local taxes remains a key bargaining chip while data shows state tax revenue declining and an uncertain future for the pass-through-entity workarounds adopted by more than 30 states.

Muni advocates are watching the SALT cap negotiations closely, as the outcome may be influence if other revenue raisers, like axing the muni tax exemption, come into play.

"As we head into reconciliation and tax negotiations, I'm making it clear: I won't support a bill that doesn't lift the cap," Rep. Mike Lawler said.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is in the early stages of hammering out a surface transportation bill designed to prop up the Highway Trust Fund while House Ways and Means tinkers with a tax deal.

The Senate move provides an alternative pathway towards a final budget agreement as the House wrestles with an approach that could include key tax policy changes for the muni market.