Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot blasts Washington Times' story on same-sex couples

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot blasts Washington Times’ story on same-sex couples

By Baltimore Post-Examiner Staff · December 20, 2012 · 1 Comment
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In case you missed it, Comptroller Peter Franchot took issue this week with a Washington Times’ article that played a little loose with the facts regarding same-sex couples and tax filing in Maryland. The Times, which is considering cutting 25 percent of its staff, may want to reconsider that move after publishing what Franchot described as an inaccurate story. Where are the fact-checkers?

” The Washington Times’ article contained significant misinformation regarding the tax filing status of same-sex couples in Maryland,” he said in a press statement. ”Contrary to the tone and the facts contained in the story, same-sex couples in the State of Maryland – whether married in this state or in other states – will have the opportunity to file joint tax returns for Tax Year 2013, and will receive the same state tax treatment as any married couple. This will occur either as a result of a legislative action, or if necessary, a regulatory change, either of which is necessary because Maryland’s tax code is conjoined to the IRS unless specifically decoupled. My senior staff and I will work with legislative leaders over the next few weeks to determine the most appropriate course of action. :

Franchot noted he “proudly testified in strong support of the Civil Marriage Protection Act and remain a steadfast supporter of marriage equality. Honoring Maryland’s hard-earned reputation for fairness and equality, this change will afford same-sex couples with the rights and protections commensurate with their obligations as taxpayers.”

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http://twitter.com/stephencearley Steve Earley

Unless she was misquoted, which I haven’t seen anyone allege, Franchot should take issue with his own spokeswoman, not the Times.

Other than the “won’t” in the lede (http://goo.gl/pyosU), which, since no one can predict the future, is equally as questionable as the “will”s in the comptroller’s statement, and the fact that the article could have included more sources, I don’t see anything for the comptroller to object to. Or at least nothing to warrant such an aggressive statement.

Again, assuming his spokeswoman wasn’t misquoted, I certainly don’t see anything inaccurate. What facts, exactly, did the Washington Times “play loose with?” Franchot’s own statement acknowledges that without intervention, same-sex spouses would have to file their state tax returns separately.

FWIW: According to a tweet by the reporter (http://goo.gl/RpgNb), another spokesperson for Franchot told him that the alleged “misinformation” was “more of a problem on [their] end.”