In miniature, January 31

• Alcohol sales plunged following 50 percent state tax hike, so revenues didn’t come in as expected; meanwhile, merchants paid millions less in income tax. Lose/lose! [Maryland Taxpayers Association] But see: Van Smith points out at City Paper that a law enforcement crackdown on Maryland-based vendors servicing buyers in other states, notably in Cecil County, cut heavily into sales at the same time;
• “In order to sell their projects, light-rail proponents routinely overestimate ridership,” Purple Line follows pattern [Randal O’Toole, Maryland Public Policy Institute; earlier on Purple Line; O’Toole is a Cato colleague]
• Political giving by board, principals of Maryland Chamber of Commerce has favored Democrats [Greg Kline, Red Maryland, more]
• Liked the description’s matter-of-fact tone: “Del. Christian Miele, a libertarian Republican from Baltimore County” [Len Lazarick on constitutional proposals to reform delegate vacancy selection]
• Proper use of state bonding power: Baltimore Jewelry Center, new HVAC for Frederick’s Weinberg Center for the Arts? Not in my view [Old Line Elephant]
• “MD: Latest State to Consider Constitutionality of Governmental Damages Cap” [TortsProf]