ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 17 (UPI) -- Maryland, the U.S. state with the highest average income, has raised the top tax rate on residents in the top income bracket.
The Maryland House of Representatives approved the 8.95 percent rate on Wednesday, a day after the state Senate, The Washington Post reported. The rate affects single-filers with incomes of $100,000 or more and couples who make at least $150,000.
Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, pushed hard for the tax increase. After Wednesday's vote, he thanked lawmakers.
"We have together decided to invest more in the education of our children," he said.
Maryland and the District of Columbia now have the same top tax rate, the fourth-highest in the country.
Republican lawmakers opposed the tax increase, joined by a handful of Democrats.
