As the General Assembly searches for methods to spur job creation, Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislators are looking to tax credits as one way to get the economy going.

The proposals range in size and chances of passage but coalesce around the principle of giving some money back now to get future financial returns.

O'Malley is proposing a one-year, $3,000 tax credit for each unemployed worker hired by a business. Companies would be capped at a total of $250,000 each out of a fund totaling $20 million - enough for more than 6,600 workers.

"The most important thing we can do right now is create jobs," said...