Maryland Democrats Pass “Sleep Tax” – Is A Thinking Tax Next?

Maryland lawmakers are scrambling to address a staggering $3.3 billion budget shortfall.

To close the gap, far-left Governor Wes Moore and activist Democrats have proposed a wave of tax hikes that would hit Marylanders’ wallets the hardest amid a deepening affordability crisis. 

QUESTION:

Maryland lawmakers spent too much money. The state has a $3.5 BILLION deficit.

To close the gap, Annapolis is looking to raise your taxes/fees. Here’s a list of the proposed increases. Which affect you most? Or… have you already ordered the U-Haul truck?

Tax…

— Chris Papst (@chrispapst) March 29, 2025

With power bills already skyrocketing to record highs for many folks due to backfiring and disastrous green energy policies, these same progressive lawmakers are creating even more nightmares for taxpayers—this time by proposing a tax that effectively targets sleep.

A small but vocal group of conservative Republicans in the Maryland House of Delegates were stunned on Friday when far-left Democrats pushed through HB 858—a bill that establishes a mattress stewardship program under the guise of promoting safe disposal and recycling. This is another tax on Marylanders as the state sinks into financial turmoil and elevated credit downgrade risks. The new 6% tax on mattresses is on top of the existing 6% sales tax. 

Del. Mark N. Fisher (R-Calvert), one of the leaders of the Maryland House Freedom Caucus, blasted the “Sleep Tax” and asked if there would be a “snoring surcharge.”

Democrats just passed the ‘Sleep Tax’. Marylanders already pay a 6% sales tax when you buy a mattress. Now, @mddems want you to pay a surcharge. Is that a ‘snoring surcharge’? pic.twitter.com/Pt0atYzupZ

— Mark Fisher (@fisher4maryland) March 28, 2025

Torrey Snow of WBAL Radio said this about the ridiculous tax passed on sleep…

Oh, you think I’m joking! Maryland Democrats literally passed a bill to tax your good sleep! House Bill 858. Look it up! #maryland #democrats #mattresstax #wesmoore pic.twitter.com/HeI3yTHQht

— Torrey Snow WBAL (@TorreySnowWbal) March 28, 2025

Meanwhile…

Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania Mattress stores right now….. #Maryland #MooreTaxes #MooreFees https://t.co/MiVbY2t4Ex pic.twitter.com/pqOu0PXMU7

— Libertarian Party of Maryland (@LPMaryland) March 28, 2025

Also, Moody’s Ratings recently warned that Maryland—a state heavily dependent on the federal government—faces heightened recession risk in the era of DOGE-related cuts. The warning comes amid a twin crisis: a ballooning state deficit and a power bill crisis. 

If far-left Gov. Moore and Democrats are willing to tax Marylanders’ sleep, these woke activists could easily push another bill to tax thinking. 

Maryland Dems…

Maryland Dems Lose All Sense Of Reality: Focus On Condoms For Kids, Reparations As Crises Pile Up https://t.co/WnoOnJxnbi

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) March 5, 2025

It’s time for common sense to re-enter Maryland politics after decades of Democrats torpedoing the state to the brink of financial crisis. Perhaps the Maryland House Freedom Caucus will be those heroes needed to rescue the imploding state.