June 4, 2026

Maryland’s New ‘Tech Tax’ Explained

Tech Tax

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman has issued guidance to help businesses prepare for a 3% tax that will take effect July 1 on the sale and use of several informational technology services.

Hegseth Sworn-In as New DefSec

Hegseth

Pete Hegseth was confirmed as defense secretary Friday night after a 51-50 vote, reports The Washington Post. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the vote to break the Senate’s 50-50 vote.

Fighter Squadron, F-16s Move to Maryland

F-16

Maryland’s Air National Guard will get a fighter squadron of F-16s from Washington, DC. The US Air Force said it will transfer the 121st Fighter Squadron from the DC Air National Guard to Maryland.

Five-County Study Supports Bay Ferry

Ferry

A group of five counties, which includes St. Mary’s, has released a study on the feasibility of a Chesapeake Bay ferry system for recreational passengers. The study identifies Maryland waterfront communities that could be connected with a ferry service using high-speed catamarans. Six potential routes have been outlined.

Retrofit Ordered for F-35 Fleet Worldwide

Retrofit

The F-35 Joint Program Office has ordered that all F-35 jets should be retrofitted with a fix intended to solve a potential engine vibration problem. This includes a global retrofit, not just for US aircraft.

US Arms Exports Total $175B in FY2020

arms

The US approved $175 billion in arms sales to foreign nations in fiscal 2020. That is a 2.8% increase over the prior fiscal year’s $170 billion in sales.

Navy Tests Its Newest Firepower

Firepower

The USS Gabrielle Giffords tested its Naval Strike Missile last week in the Pacific. The Navy’s new sea-skimming cruise missile is difficult to spot on radar.