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$1.5B stimulus, tax relief bill passes state Senate

February 5th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Senate on Friday unanimously passed their amended version of the governor's emergency economic aid proposal. The Recovery for the Economy, Livelihoods, Industries, Entrepreneurs, and Families Act, or RELIEF Act, was proposed with $1.3 billion in stimulus and tax relief. It passed with a total of $1.5 billion in funding. The bill now goes to the House of Delegates.

In a statement, Gov. Larry Hogan thanked the Senate for acting quickly on his top legislative proposal and called on delegates to follow suit.

“With so many fighting just to hang on in this unprecedented crisis, Marylanders simply cannot afford to wait. Every day that goes by without passing this emergency legislation means more struggling families and small businesses will suffer. This must continue to be the most important priority of the legislative session," Hogan said. "Let’s once again show the rest of the nation how to put aside partisan politics and work together by delivering this vital relief at an urgent and historic pace.”

Senators bolstered assistance payments and directed more funding into areas including workforce development, neighborhood revitalization and transit.