Ear to the Ground - State News Roundup

• Happy New Year? Not so much for Maryland taxpayers, as tax increases passed during the special session late last year are kicking in.
  
  
• Illinois lawmakers were called to reconvene for a special session today to address a bail-out for the Chicago transit authority, but many lawmakers are expected to be a no-show.
  
  
• After a tax-increase heavy 2007, Michigan lawmakers won't get much of a breather, as another budget hole looms. We'll have to see if Gov. Granholm's new "no tax increase mantra" will hold. Taxpayers certainly can't afford yet another tax hike.
  
  
• The fight over Florida's tax cut referendum set for January 29 heats up as as the unions are ratcheting up their opposition.