$1.3 billion COVID-19 relief plan, HBCU settlement advance in Maryland Senate

Maryland senators gave initial approval Wednesday for a $1.3 billion COVID-19 economic relief bill and for a major financial settlement with the state’s historically Black colleges and universities. The COVID-19 bill, which Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has named the RELIEF Act, would provide stimulus payments for some working Marylanders, eliminate state and local income taxes on unemployment benefits and offer tax breaks to businesses.