From Del. Kathy Szeliga:
Rain Tax Update
Last week, I sent you an email about the Rain Tax that will be implemented on July 1. Unfortunately, the links did not work for many people. This is an update with information on how to read the bill and find the voting records from the House and Senate.
Read the Bill Here…
In 2012, HB 987 passed in Annapolis requiring the 9 most populated counties plus Baltimore City to charge property owners a stormwater utility fee by July 1, 2013. Stormwater is rain.
In order for you to read the bill, see the voting records, and also read the history of the bill, you will need to access the Maryland General Assembly Website.
Try this first: Try This Link for HB 987 from 2012 Regular Session
If this link works for you, it will take you to the summary page for HB 987. See below under “YOU HAVE ARRIVED!” for more instructions.
If that link does now work, try this:
#1. Maryland General Assembly Website
If that link does not work, please google, “Maryland General Assembly” and it is easily accessed from there.
#2. The 3rd tab at the top says, “Legislation by Session” – click on that. Try think link – but if it does not work click on the tab:
#3. In the center of the page, it says, “Change Session.” Click on that and a list will drop down. Choose 2012 Regular Session.
Click Here for 2012 Regular Session – if it works.
YOU HAVE ARRIVED!!
From this page, you can read the bill, view the votes, read the fiscal note and more!
To Read the Bill, Click on the Bill Number at the top of the page. “Chapter 151” is the signed bill, HB 987 is the Enrolled Bill – either works.
As you scroll down the page, you can see the history of the bill as well as all the amendments offered. At the bottom of the page, you will find a final vote in the House and a final vote in the Senate. These links are live. If you click on those links, you can see the votes from the House or Senate.
I’m sorry the original links did not work.
Stay Tuned!
I am working on a campaign with the House and Senate Republicans to
STOP THE RAIN TAX!
We will be kicking off a petition drive.
Let’s tell Annapolis that we don’t want or need a Rain Tax.
I will send you additional information on the Rain Tax as it becomes available.
Thanks for your continued support and prayers. I will keep you updated on this important issue as more information is made available.
As always, do not hesitate to call me if I can be of assistance to you and your family.
Kathy
Delegate Kathy Szeliga
Minority Whip
Maryland House of Delegates
While I applaud the effort, why has it taken 16 months to start the fight against this? The bill passed in April 2012. I fear it may be too late now, and this seems like political opportunism to me. I followed the bill very closely back when it was being debated in Annapolis, and the only elected officials really being vocal about it at the time were EJ Pipkin and David Craig. I could tell that most of the Senators and Delegates I spoke with didn’t even understand what they were doing.
Besides, repealling the bill won’t really solve the problem unless MDE’s mandated stormwater expenditures for county and municipal governments is addressed. Without that, we will still be paying the Rain Tax even if HB 987 is repealed. It will just become a part of our property taxes, since they will have to go up to pay for the tens of millions of dollars that these required infrastructure improvements will cost.
What is the purpose of calling it a rain tax? Rain is not being taxed. This is a clean water initiative. If you make a living on the water, if you like crabs, fish, and oysters, and if you understand the impact of the bay on the state’s economy, you need to ensure clean water. Tell me, Del. Szeliga, what would you suggest to accomplish that? What have you proposed to the state legislature that would effectively reduce pollution in the bay?
One suggestion would be to ban all says of lawn fertilizer. That would stop a lot of nitrogen from entering the bay. We could start a “Save the dandelion” campaign….
How about banning salt and all other chemicals and compounds that are spread on the road during a winter storm?
How about a tax on Pennsylvania? It is most of their trash that runs down the Susquehanna.