O'Malley Calls Special Session To Deal with Budget, Taxes

Gov. Martin O'Malley Friday announced he will call state legislators back into session May 14 to deal with lingering state budget issues.

“There is too much at stake not to move forward,” O’Malley said in a statement Friday afternoon. “I’m confident that we can come together with the Senate President and House Speaker to complete this most important work for the people of our State.”

The session will focus on balancing the state budget and eliminating more than $500 million in cuts that were part of a so-called "doomsday budget" that passed at the end of this year's 90-day legislative session.

As part of that session, some legislators expect the General Assembly will be asked to approve an income tax increase for some Maryland residents. Shifting of teacher pensions from the state to the local jurisdictions may also be on the table.

O'Malley promised details on the session in a joint news conference with House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller. The news conference is expected to take place some time next week.