Hogan calls on Alsobrooks to disavow Maryland tax, fee increases

Former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is running for Senate, has written a letter calling on his opponent, Angela Alsobrooks (D), to disavow recent tax and fee increases in the state.

The letter, first reported by the Washington Examiner, calls on Alsobrooks to reverse her support and “stand with your constituents by joining with me to oppose them.”

“The burden of these regressive taxes and fees will be paid by the struggling Marylanders who can least afford them,” Hogan wrote. “With Maryland families already facing the unaffordable cost of living, this is the last thing they need right now.”

Hogan listed “just a few examples” of how the state’s new taxes and fees impact Marylanders, including a 60 percent increase on car registration, fees for barbers and salons, taxes on paint cans and Uber rides and increases in fees for electricians, among others.

The former governor said Alsobrooks, who is the executive of Prince George’s County, has been “openly talking” about and campaigning for raising taxes, including raising Social Security taxes.

“It is simply unconscionable that you would support subjecting your constituents to tax hikes on the local, state, and federal levels,” Hogan said.

Hogan argued the issue of tax hikes is neither a Democratic or Republican issue.

“This is about doing the right thing for Maryland. The affordability crisis impacts everyone in our state. At this critical time, Marylanders deserve leaders who are willing to stand up to the party bosses to fight for them,” he wrote.

Hogan said he looks forward to Alsobrook’s response to his letter.

"Angela has brought record economic investment without raising taxes at the County level. In the Senate, she'll fight to reduce costs for hardworking Maryland families all while making sure big corporations pay their fair share," Gina Ford, the county's director of communications, said in a statement to The Hill. "That's why it's critical that Angela Alsobrooks has the 51st vote in the Senate to hold these massive corporations accountable because Mitch McConnell and Larry Hogan would give those corporations a massive tax break."

According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, Alsobrooks has an 8.3 percentage-point lead over Hogan in the Senate race.

— Updated at 12:51 p.m.