Baltimore County tax/fee increase

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  • Name Taken

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 23, 2010
    11,891
    Central
    You prioritize. You live within your means. You do without those things that are nice to have but are not necessary to have.

    That's what taxpayers do. That's what tax-takers can and should do. They just don't.

    But do they? Is that why the average credit card debt is 15k dollars? Is that what something like 45% (don't quote me and no I'm not going to Google it) don't have access to 500 dollars? Is that why 2006-2008 happened? Is that why there is almost record setting number of car loans 2 months or more behind? Is that why college loan debt is where it's at? How about the amount of car loans where negative equity has been rolled over into it?

    It's a good fantasy that the average American family laces up their boots and get to work on their debt. It just isn't the reality. If families are kicking the can down the road what do you expect their government to do?

    I realize not everyone lives like this. As the "money person" in our family we certainly don't. I would hope you don't as well. But we are not the majority.
     

    Name Taken

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 23, 2010
    11,891
    Central
    Assuming property values and incomes rose over the past 30 years (which they did), wouldn't those increased values yield more tax revenue given the same tax rate? Increasing the tax *rate* without justification is typical of ye 'ole tax 'n spend politics. I don't live in Baltimore County, but what *useful* extra services will be provided with the increased taxes?

    Yes the math should work out. But if the rates are lower then every other comparable jurisdiction and residents are demanding more services (schools, teachers, etc) and the infrastructure has been ignored for years, and the previous administration didn't "operate within their means" how do you fix it?

    If the comparable jurisdictions have higher rates at what point do you catch up?

    I'm certainly not for taxes being raised and I would love for all government to take less, spend less, and do more with less. But the reality is some situations have been so mismanaged it needs to be addressed. These folks are in charge of the budget for at most 8 years. There has been very little push to do anything but pass the buck to the next guy to deal with. Right or wrong this is how the current ELECTED official decided to deal with it.

    I'm not a pro tax guy. But a bunch of folks saying it's never reasonable to raise a tax rate just isn't logical. Even if income and property rates increased. It was even hinted by Gov. Hogan and Mr. Franchot that if Baltimore County doesn't raise their tax rate and continue to play "poor me" that the State funds would start to dry up. You can't play the "we haven't raised taxes" to the voters and run to Gov. Hogan and explain how poor your County is.

    This is also the first time where the County has faced hints about losing their Triple A bond rating. The one all but said they would and should have lowered it but since the County Executive is open to raising taxes they would maintain the rating. Losing the bond rating would obviously cost the tax payers a significant amount of money...potentially.
     

    Boondock Saint

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 11, 2008
    24,365
    White Marsh
    I would say the fact that a certain percentage of people do not manage their finances responsibly is no reason for our government to do the same. In fact, the very people elected to represent our interests in the government are paid to do so in a responsible manner.

    The government, at all levels, gets plenty of our money already. The state already took a giant, wet bite out of my ass this tax season thanks to their inability to address the federal tax changes. Current/previous governments in my locality may have been fiscally irresponsible, but there's no reason to think that future governments would be more responsible with yet more of our money. Instead of taking more of our cash to make their blunders easier to hide, do the right thing and cut services wherever possible and bring expenses back in line with revenue. Again, spend on the government we can afford, not tax for the government "we" want.

    The County has quite a bit of debt. Perhaps we should be borrowing less, thereby spending less of the County's revenue on debt service. Hmm...
     

    Boondock Saint

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 11, 2008
    24,365
    White Marsh
    From Bevins in the 6th district:

    Thank you for reaching out to my office regarding the County Executive’s proposed budget for the 2020 Fiscal Year.

    The Baltimore County Charter gives the County Executive the power to propose the budget and the Council the power to approve the budget. The Council only has the power to cut from the budget, it cannot add funds or move funds around.

    The Charter also requires that the budget be balanced. Over the past few years the county has made historic investments in public school construction and infrastructure improvements. Ten years ago the county had the second oldest stock of school buildings in the state and the 6th district had the highest percentage of schools without air-conditioning. Now every 6th district school has air-conditioning. Baltimore County has also continued to grow in population, becoming the third largest jurisdiction in Maryland. These historic investments along with the county’s population growth among other things has led to an $81 million dollar shortfall.

    What the County Executive proposed is not the final version of the budget. Over the next month the County Council will hold several public hearings as it considers and debates the proposed budget. I do not take the proposed tax and fee increases lightly. I will keep your thoughts and opinions in mind as the council moves forward over the coming weeks.

    Thank you again for contacting my office. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

    Thank you,



    Cathy Bevins

    Councilwoman

    Sixth District
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    I diagnosed a guy with gonorrhea of the butthole. This sounds a lot like that, but the gonorrhea can be cured.
     

    East2West

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Jul 20, 2013
    902
    Nomalley, Nobama
    Yes the math should work out. But if the rates are lower then every other comparable jurisdiction and residents are demanding more services (schools, teachers, etc) and the infrastructure has been ignored for years, and the previous administration didn't "operate within their means" how do you fix it?

    If the comparable jurisdictions have higher rates at what point do you catch up?

    I'm certainly not for taxes being raised and I would love for all government to take less, spend less, and do more with less. But the reality is some situations have been so mismanaged it needs to be addressed. These folks are in charge of the budget for at most 8 years. There has been very little push to do anything but pass the buck to the next guy to deal with. Right or wrong this is how the current ELECTED official decided to deal with it.

    I'm not a pro tax guy. But a bunch of folks saying it's never reasonable to raise a tax rate just isn't logical. Even if income and property rates increased. It was even hinted by Gov. Hogan and Mr. Franchot that if Baltimore County doesn't raise their tax rate and continue to play "poor me" that the State funds would start to dry up. You can't play the "we haven't raised taxes" to the voters and run to Gov. Hogan and explain how poor your County is.

    This is also the first time where the County has faced hints about losing their Triple A bond rating. The one all but said they would and should have lowered it but since the County Executive is open to raising taxes they would maintain the rating. Losing the bond rating would obviously cost the tax payers a significant amount of money...potentially.

    You have an infatuation with the tax rates of comparable jurisdictions, what do those tax rates have to do with Baltimore County's?

    Do they just copy and paste a budget from "comparable jurisdictions" and sign it?

    If you charge 2 grand to your credit card, do you go to work the next day and demand a 2 dollar an hour raise, or do you skim money from other parts of your budget to pay off the debt?

    Maybe these Governments ought to try and test out some fiscal responsibility, and maybe balancing a budget before demanding more money.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    Get what you get Baltimore County. Carroll and Harford counties will see an uptick in liberals bailing from there. Jonny O is a tool.

    Problem is, they have already infiltrated Carroll, and looking to switch to a charter government, and raise taxes and want an extension of the loot rail into Carroll.
     

    Brychan

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 24, 2009
    8,391
    Baltimore
    Funny I thought most of the government take of the casinos were supposed to go to the schools, that should have eased the tax burden. Added to that the government take from the pot shops. If course they just keep wanting more.
     

    Mike3888

    Mike3888
    Feb 21, 2013
    1,125
    Dundalk, Md-Mifflin,Pa
    Funny I thought most of the government take of the casinos were supposed to go to the schools, that should have eased the tax burden. Added to that the government take from the pot shops. If course they just keep wanting more.

    Throw proceeds from lottery in there also. Pretty sure that’s how it was suppose to go many many years ago.
     

    rseymorejr

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 28, 2011
    26,002
    Harford County
    Funny I thought most of the government take of the casinos were supposed to go to the schools, that should have eased the tax burden. Added to that the government take from the pot shops. If course they just keep wanting more.

    Throw proceeds from lottery in there also. Pretty sure that’s how it was suppose to go many many years ago.

    Yeah, the proceeds will go for education.
    That's the ticket!
     
    I figured I'd post this here instead of making a new thread on this Jack wad.

    The first step in finding a solution is identifying the problem. He's too afraid to offend anyone though so I guess our problems in balti county will never be fixed
    1aa53eed918fc48319127dd7db027fda.jpg


    Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
     

    CrueChief

    Cocker Dad/RIP Bella
    Apr 3, 2009
    2,999
    Napolis-ish
    There seems to be an excuse for the need of more "revenue" is because of population growth. Why doesn't anyone think to limit population growth then?
     

    threegun

    Active Member
    Jan 26, 2013
    639
    Westminster
    Baltimore County has had population growth for the last 40 years what is different now? Population growth isn't the problem, the character of the population is the problem.
     

    shootin the breeze

    Missed it by that much
    Dec 22, 2012
    3,878
    Highland
    They said the same thing in Howard County, especially western Howard County. Now, look at the last election results. Makes me want to cry.

    The country is going the way of Rome. Only question is how much longer it will take. Rome lasted 9 centuries. Not sure the USA will be so fortunate.

    9 years maybe at the rate we're going. Definitely not more than 90.
     

    Boondock Saint

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 11, 2008
    24,365
    White Marsh
    From Wade Kach in the 3rd district

    I appreciate your input regarding the County Executive's proposed budget and tax increases. There is much work that the Council must do before any decisions are made.

    Over the past four years, the County has funded projects which, in my opinion, were irresponsible and a misuse of taxpayer money. For example, the over $42 million appropriated to bail out Towson Row, the construction of unneeded facilities and purchase of expensive equipment at the Agricultural Center totaling over $4 million, the STAT program, etc. were all either unnecessary or not supported by the community or both. I strongly opposed these initiatives.

    This is my fifth year as your Councilman. For the first time in those five years, I am very optimistic that we will receive the pertinent information needed to evaluate the proposals by the administration. The new County Executive has made the policy of openness and transparency a priority. I would emphasize that the County Executive's analysis of the current fiscal situation is accurate.

    For forty years, I served in the Maryland House of Delegates. Each year, we Republicans proposed changes to the State Budget which, in my opinion, were reasonable and responsible. If our amendments had been adopted the many tax increases which were enacted would not have occurred. I voted against all of them. In 1986, I did vote for the gasoline tax hike. I believed it was justified. Unfortunately, after the new gas taxes went into effect, the then-Governors robbed the Transportation Trust Fund in order to balance the Budgets.

    I have been closely studying the proposed County Budget. Before it was introduced, I had potential spending reductions in already in mind- mostly in the school system’s proposed budget. I'm happy to report that the County Executive's Budget already contains many of these cuts.

    The Council's responsibility now is to determine what further reductions can be made to the proposed Budget while making certain that funds are appropriated that will support the necessary functions of government. I am hopeful that when we are finished there will be no need for the tax increases.

    I consider property taxes to be regressive. The good news is that the County Executive has not proposed any increases to the property tax rate or the Homestead Credit Program. It should be emphasized that property tax revenue will already increase due to higher assessments.

    I have budget cuts in mind which I intend to propose. I appreciate the input of county residents who have already suggested Budget reductions to me. That input is very helpful.

    Again, thank you for writing me.

    Take care,



    Wade
     

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