From Del. Rick Impallaria:
Annapolis Update #2 – Jan. 31, 2012
Last night on Lawyer’s Mall in front of the State House, over 2000 people came to a rally in support of protecting marriage as being between a man and a woman, and to oppose same-sex marriage. The opposition was overwhelming.
It is the first time in my 10 years in Annapolis that I saw such a large group of people who came from all walks of life, all religious faiths and from all corners of the State, to protect our families and support the sanctity of traditional marriage. The greatest thanks for this has to go to the African-American churches, which brought busloads of their parishioners, and which has vigorously lobbied the General Assembly to make sure that their voices for family values were heard, and heard strongly. There was great anger over the Governor’s wife’s comment that gay marriage would have passed had it not been for a “few cowards.” I, for one, do not believe standing up for your constituents and your religious beliefs in any way makes me, or anyone else who supports traditional marriage, a coward. So, if Mrs. O’Malley believes it takes cowardice to do the right thing, I’m proud to be called one of her cowards.
Meanwhile, Governor O’Malley does not seem to be happy with a proposed 15 cents per gallon gas tax hike. Instead, he wants 6% on a dollar, which, at this time, would equate an 18 cent a gallon gas tax. Right now, the tax on gas is based per gallon. Gas pumps do not have the ability to put a percentage-per-dollar on the pump, which means that if this piece of legislation were passed, every gas pump in the State of Maryland would be obsolete and would have to be replaced. I find it hard to believe that people still pull up to the gas pump and believe that the economy is getting better, with fuel prices nearing $2.00 a gallon higher than they were when Obama and O’Malley took office. And remember that Governor O’Malley is a lame-duck Governor, which means he no longer has to answer to the citizens of Maryland, but instead, he is playing to an extreme left, liberal audience across the United States for an opportunity to run for a higher office.
Locally, in Baltimore County, I have introduced legislation to prevent the taking over of the Essex Sky Park, a historic airfield in Essex. Once again, the Government feels that trees are not doing an adequate job in their natural reproductive system, and the Government must step in and close down the Air Park to plant trees. Nine years ago, the County Government attempted to close the Sky Park, and I was successful, along with the support of my colleagues, in blocking that. Unfortunately, the issue has come back, and I believe we will be successful again in protecting the public trust in carrying out the will of the original owners of the air park that it would stay an air park in perpetuity.
In Harford County, we are also being put under pressure by the current administration to pass a hotel tax. Now isn’t the time to take more money from the private sector to help government expand. Nor should government be using tax dollars to subsidize businesses that cannot make it on their own. Instead, government should focus on getting off the back of business and out of the pocket of the public and let nature take its course, which will bring a quick stabilization to our economy.
If there are any issues you would like me to address, please give me a call at the office. In future updates, I plan to brief you on legislation that I have introduced this year.
none says
Del. Impallaria, If you do not support the hotel tax, Why don’t you sponsor legislation to stop it in Baltimore County where you live?
Bill Vanden Eynden says
We are the only county in the Maryland that doesn’t have a hotel tax. By our delegation ignoring the business community on this important matter they are actually costing all of us money. Every program that would be funded by the hotel tax has to be taken from some other source.
Elsie says
Impallaria — do you not understand that people who use our motels are not already living in Harford County? i.e. they are visiting and using all of our wonderful resources (many are on temporary M-Th stays while they work at BRAC-related jobs and then return to their homes in NJ). Just check out all of the cars packed into the 5-6 hotels at the I95/543 intersection during the week — and then on the weekends they’re half empty!
Tourists and visitors will pay the tax — not Harford County citizens! You must be very good friends with all those folks who own the hotels.
152 Guy says
Elsie,
I don’t think Impy understands anything past that invisible white robe he wears, or the Tea Bagger Talking Points of his friends at Fox and WCBM. I happen to live in an area that, under redistricting, will be his district in 2014, so God help us if he wins again, or even runs.
Caspertfg says
lDelegate Impallaria,
You need to talk with the business leaders of Harford cpunty about the the hotel tax and listen! We as a county need these funds that will come by non Harford countians and mostl likely non Marylanders I have traveled across this country on three different routes and never encountered a hotel/motel that did not have a state, county, or local tax.. We have in Harford Country the most traveled north/ south interstate in the US. The traffic never stops. We have a needed resource in the hotel and motel along this road. the hotels in the area around Baltimore and not in the city are generally safer and more economical and as such attract a sizable patronage. Add to this the business generated by APG and visiting contractors, ignoining the possilbilty of revenue from visitors who use our infrastructure with out contribution for its maintainance. The revenue created by this hotel tax could be in part earmarked for the promotion of tourism. Such promotion would increas hotel, restaaurant and other services that are related to tourism. Harford county needs such promotion. Wake up and listen to your constiituents. Support the hotel tax!
Patti says
I attended today’s Delegation. I am very disappointed that the very people I cast votes for are not listening to Harford County business owners, or residents regarding the hotel tax. No one at that table has taken the time to educate themselves. I saw a lot of disappointing things today from almost every politician I encountered. It was like a really loud beehive, everyone was moving around, but no one was being heard. Perhaps you won’t care until your next campaign, but during that campaign please remember that we as residents and business owners were listening.
Patti says
Elsie-
You should know that the vast majority of hoteliers in Harford County support the lodging tax, if the bill is written to include the funds collected being directed towards tourism efforts. It is part of the education that needs to happen in regards to this bill. The Delegation seems to be the people that are against the tax. Not the business owners or residents of Harford County. Makes you wonder ……why the absolute opposition, if their constituents are asking for it or agreeable?
ALEX R says
Patti,
Easy answer. The proceeds will never be used to augment the budget to increase tourism. The proceeds will go in to the big, black hole. Don’t be so naive. If we can’t stop people from spending the transportation taxes and fees proceeds on other stuff then forget about it. Remember the lottery proceeds were goping to go toward education. Never happened.
Conrad Hilton says
There is nothing stopping Harford County hotel operators from raising their rates by $10.00 a night and remitting the money to the county to be used to promote tourism.
Billy Van says
Conrad is either 1) obviously joking or 2) has no concept of business and how capitalism works. Since I don’t want to accuse soembody of being uneducated, I’ll assume he was joking!
Conrad Hilton says
@Billy Van, the hotel operators most certainly can voluntarily remit money to Harford County either individually or through a Harford Hotel Operators Association.
If the hotel owners feel so strongly in favor of a hotel tax they can start raising their rates today and sending the surplus to the county.
Billy Van says
Tourism promotes $$$’s for our entire community and not strictly for the purpose of increasing the occupancy of hotels. By not imposing this tax on hotel guest, we are missing an opportunity for income that other communities realize. Did you know we are possibly the ONLY county in the US that doesn’t have this tax? Since we live in Harford County and don’t stay in hotels here, we wouldn’t be paying this tax. Another point is that the hotels owners are/were actually against this tax because they felt it would hurt their business; so your point is actually silly since they aren’t the ones promoting the tax. Lastly, aren’t you tired of a delegation that does nothing for the community but complain and whine about not getting anything done in Annapolis? Shouldn’t we be sending people to Annapolis that can get something accomplished? I am totally convinced that most of these elected officials run because they need the extra income and not because they have a sense of duty or any special ability; this is quite sad! All I know is if they turn they’re backs on the business community, again, they’ll be hell to pay!
Conrad Hilton says
@Billy Van, it has been reported here on the Dagger and elsewhere that the hotel operators/owners support a hotel tax. Is it not true? If it is true the hoteliers can raise their rates and remit $10.00 per room night to Harford County for promotion of tourism today!
decoydude says
Legion
Penelope Smallbone says
Delegate Impallaria is my knight in shining armor. Way to go!
PROUD TO BE LIBERAL says
Poor Penny does not understand that a “knight in shining armor” is suppose to help her and not himself. The Situation Impallaria wants to starve the county of needed revenue.
HDG READER says
If Harford County citizens aren’t going to pay this tax then why Imparallia’s opposition? Perhaps he isn’t doing his research. It wouldn’t surprise me, given the amount of absurd things that comes out of his mouth.
Sarah says
At a time when the state is pushing more and more taxes and fees to Harford County and its citizens, the so-called hotel tax is one positive step that our delegation can take to at least partially negate everything Annapolis is doing to us. Reports are that it would raise $5 million per year from out-of-towners. Here are a few facts for the benefit of our delegation:
1. Passing a hotel tax will reduce the tax burden of Harford County taxpayers, since we would no longer have to fund our tourism initiatives through the general fund.
2. Harford Countians won’t be paying this tax unless they are staying in a Harford County hotel room.
3. Harford Countians are paying hotel taxes already whenever we go to Ocean City, Deep Creek, NYC, Florida, etc. Harford is the only county in the state without the tax.
4. Hotel owners are begging for this tax.
5. It seems that our delegation is the only group in opposition.
amazed. says
Absolutely, we should fleece visitors… everyone else does. Their wallets have a bulls eye on them. I like taking their money and using it to promote local businesses and tourism. It’s like welfare with out the stigma. Let’s make it double the other counties since we have to catch up. Of course, since I don’t have a business or involvement in tourism I’m still figuring out how I’ll get my piece of the action… But by all means, lets help a subset of the population at the expense of others.
Sarah says
So you’re fine being “fleeced” whenever you travel anywhere in this country, but are totally willing to subsidize visitors to your own County? It’s time that the double-whammy Harford County taxpayers are paying come to an end.
You get your “piece of the action” by no longer having to fund Harford’s tourism promotion through your property taxes.
amazed. says
Of course we’re being fleeced. That’s the American Way… Why not let those who would benefit from tourism fund Harford’s tourism promotion? Why is it seen as only natural that we all fund tourism? Go ahead and take people’s money, I only object to dressing it up and calling it something other than what it really is…
PROUD TO BE LIBERAL says
AMAZED: You asked, “Why not let those who would benefit from tourism fund Harford’s tourism promotion? ” You are missing something: the people who will benefit from this tax will pay it.
Amazed says
You’re right. I am missing something. You say: “the people who will benefit from this tax will pay it.” Really? The hotel folks are paying this out of their own pockets? No. The customer pays. The businesses receive a subsidy in the form of advertisement/promotion. It’s a tax one, hand out to another. Based on the typical efficiency of government, they’ll be luck to get a 30 cent on the dollar return. I don’t care. Like I said: double it if you want. I just like to see things for what they really are. Not every business in Harford is based on tourism so only certain businesses will benefit – to the detriment of those that aren’t who will be paying more for lodging any traveling employees. Frankly, I’d rather see the money given directly to the businesses instead of laundered through the county government where it can be redirected or outright embezzled.
Billy Van says
When was the last time you stayed in a hotel in Harford County? This is a tax paid by people traveling to our county that use our roads and services. I travel quite often and have never stayed anywhere that I didn’t have several taxes on my bill. Why is this so difficult for people to understand?
Also, to Conrad Hilton, the hotel community is NOW supporting the legislation but they’re NOT promoting it; a big difference!
This should be a NO BRAINER!!!!!!!!!!
PROUD TO BE LIBERAL says
AMAZED: Really! Prove that taxes are “…laundered through the county government where it can be redirected or outright embezzled.” You are ridiculous in your statements.
amazed. says
PTBL, I’m sorry. You’re correct. The government never collects money for one purpose and then redirects it somewhere else. Also, any and all government is such a shining example of efficiency and honesty we should do more to let them collect our money so they can do the right thing with it.
PROUD TO BE LIBERAL says
AMAZED: You stated “PTBL, I’m sorry. You’re correct. The government never collects money for one purpose and then redirects it somewhere else. Also, any and all government is such a shining example of efficiency and honesty we should do more to let them collect our money so they can do the right thing with it.”
All this tells me is that you CANNOT back up your scurrilous and ridiculous statements with facts or examples. This is your typical tea party crap and people see through it.
amazed says
PTBL, wow, thanks. I was under the impression that the transportation fund had been raided repeatedly… and Social Security as well… just as two examples… I’m glad you cleared it up for me that it never really happened. I said all along that collecting a “tax” from folks to help pay for promoting tourism to benefit a subset of the county is OK by me… Just don’t act as if it’s fair. I know, “everybody’s doing it”… aint it great how the things we learned as children can carry on through life?
PROUD TO BE LIBERAL says
AMAZED: AMAZED: You have just reinforced my point that you make these claims without a shred of proof…and anything from FOX does not count as they wouldn’t know a fact if it hit them in the face. Show me a government site that proves your point. I’m open to proof.
amazed says
PTBL, So, I reinforced your point… You’re welcome. I’m here for you… I’m afraid my opinions of government were developed in the 60’s and 70’s and I’ve seen nothing that has improved them. Add to that the fact that unlike so many commenting here, I’ve actually had to deal with government agencies (you just don’t know) and I don’t see it as my fault. By your moniker I know you have a very different outlook on the role government should play in our daily lives. I can respect that without agreeing with it. But, while I’ve just slipped my opinion in here and there, you’ve been trying to pin me down… so far I’m “Pauly D”, a Foxnews junkie, a tea party member. Well you’ve missed on those first three guesses. Is that it? Any thoughts on my education or what I drive? It’s all so disappointing when I like to think of myself as non-partisan. And here I gave you the opportunity to use the word scurrilous in a posting…. good word scurrilous…
PROUD TO BE LIBERAL says
AMAZED: Use your real name: “Pauly D”.
amazed. says
PTBL, I have no clue who “Pauly D” is… or I don’t get your reference…
ALEX R says
Amazed,
Perfect sense. Since we are all getting fleeced anyway why let the visitors and tourists off? Make it double or even triple.
Rohm says
Again Delegate Impallaria minimizes Haford County. His rational for denying the tax is ludicrous. What a boob. Oh, maybe it’s the Sheriff’s fault. What a boob.
Steven Bee says
Impallaria doesn’t know how to work the system because he isn’t that bright. I heard the guy is going to introduce “right to carry” legislation”. Now I support that very much but it has as much chance of passing as a 100% income tax cut does. He knows this so he is just wasting our times going down there. He did nothing for BRAC and now doesn’t have the brains to understand the hotel tax and its benefits to the county!
ALEX R says
Steven Bee,
When you say “BRAC” you would be talking about the biggest non-event in Harford County over the past 10 years. 95% of the people in the county don’t know what it is, don’t care what it is, have seen no positive change as a result of it and are tired of even hearing about that “tempest in a chamber pot”.
Steven Bee says
Alex; BRAC- a non-event? So because, as you state, 95% of the people haven’t heard of BRAC that means nothing has happened? Do you realize the billions of dollars that APG contributes to our economy in Harford County? Obviously you are one of the 95% to which you were alluding.
Kenneth Pittman says
Rohm was incorrect incorrect, Impy is not the only boob. Poster Conrad Hilton shares that title as do the voters who repeatedly elected this guy. There goes any chance of walking away from this legislative session with anything for Harford County.