Gay Marriage Makes Cents For Maryland

Maryland may want to mull allowing same-sex nuptials. A UCLA study shows that a marriage move would give the state about about $14 million in tax revenue over three years:

A booming wedding industry could swell Maryland’s budget by millions if gays were permitted to wed, according to a university report released yesterday.

The study, by UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, estimates that spending on gay nuptials could top $280 million the first three years, generating $14 million in tax revenue during that time.

While the state would see some reductions in other tax revenue, including income, transfer and inheritance taxes, the study concludes that extending marriage benefits to gays could result in a net gain of $3.2 million a year.

Maryland’s politicos would do well to reconsider September’s anti-gay marriage decision, huh?