Even the article in the Baltimore Sun fudges the impact on taxpayers and how much the bill will commit the state to spending more on health care in future years. “The General Assembly was convened to tackle a projected $1.7 billion deficit for the next fiscal year, and a raft of measures are being debated to close the gap, including higher taxes, spending cuts and the legalization of slot machines through a voter referendum.” And the way they show fiscal responsibility is by spending more and pledging to spend more far into the future based on tobacco taxes and federal money that are both unsure sources of funding? They almost make our lawmakers look wise. Then again, Alaska’s lawmakers make them look clean. (HT-Chesser) But the Sun has nothing on the N&O when it comes to cheerleading for bad ideas.