Legalizing
same-sex marriage in Maryland would result in a $3.2 million
gain to the state's annual budget and
significantly boost the state economy, according to a
study released Wednesday by the Williams Institute at
the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law.
The study found that about 7,800 same-sex couples would
marry if they could and that such weddings would
generate $94 million in revenue each year, stimulating
Maryland businesses and the state economy in general.
This spending, the study showed, would create about $14
million in annual tax revenue as well.
Researchers also
concluded that the loss in state income tax due to
same-sex marriage would be minimal: only about $132,000
annually. The state would also suffer a loss of $1.4
million from transfer taxes.
The Williams
Institute released another report Wednesday with demographic
and economic information on Maryland's same-sex
couples. The results showed that 80% of people in
same-sex couples are employed, compared to 70% of
heterosexual married individuals. The findings also showed
that same-sex couples with children earn an average of
$58,572, compared to $91,383 for married parents.
(The Advocate)
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