• About The Dagger
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

The Dagger - Local News with an Edge

  • Local
  • Politics
  • Schools
  • Sirens
  • Health/Food
  • A&E
  • Sports
You are here: Home / Local / Letters to the Dagger / Whiteley: “General Assembly Will Soon be Back in Session, Hopefully, Doing What They are Supposed to Do – Working for the Good of All Marylanders, Especially the Property Taxpayers”

Whiteley: “General Assembly Will Soon be Back in Session, Hopefully, Doing What They are Supposed to Do – Working for the Good of All Marylanders, Especially the Property Taxpayers”

January 5, 2014 By A Dagger Reader 1 Comment

From H. LeRoy Whiteley, Jr., Founder of Marylanders for Fair Property Taxation:

Hope you enjoyed a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and will find 2014 to be a Happy and Prosperous New year!! The General Assembly will soon be back in session, hopefully, doing what they are supposed to do – working for the good of all Marylanders, especially the property taxpayers.

Once again, it’s time for us to get to work to try to stem the tide of the O’Malley/Busch/Miller Committee Chair dictatorship that denies us true democracy. We need your help and support in putting forth an agenda that can benefit ALL of Maryland’s over 2 million property taxpayers by allowing bills to receive full action by ALL of the legislators we elect; not just a few select committee members directed by O’Malley/Busch/Miller.

In the past, we property taxpayers have not shown the interest and support required to convince the legislators that we really need corrective action to be taken to bring property assessment values and associated taxes into sync with actual market conditions. We need help by filling the seats at bill hearings and filling mailboxes to show your support for legislation introduced for the benefit of Maryland’s 2 million overtaxed property owners. If you are interested in participating in any manner, please give us a call or e-mail. Your help can benefit us all.

We are pleased to learn that our stalwart supporter, Senator Barry Glassman, will again lead the legislation efforts. This may be the Senator’s last session as he is running for the office of Harford County Executive. We support this endeavor and wish him well. The Senator has promised to introduce two bills for us this year. They will be cross-filed and supported by Delegate Susan McComas. This is a winning combination that should produce some positive results.

Senator Glassman will introduce the task force study bill. This bill is designed to study the failing, flawed operation of the property tax assessment and appeals system to recommend improvements to this archaic, inequitable, non-uniform, unfair system. The Montgomery County Sentinel reported on December 31, 2013, that a state audit finds that the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) did not follow procedures administering the State’s real property tax laws. Numerous findings including quality assurance process needs to be improved, exterior inspections are not being performed, assessment data is at risk of unauthorized modification and security and control features are sadly lacking. The same article indicates an example of 16,948 accounts out of 60,199 reviewed received questionable valuation changes that could not be explained, rationalized, or documented. Robert Young, SDAT Director, concurred with all of the findings. We have reported these facts for years but Mr. Young repeatedly denied them when opposing us. The audit reinforces the C+ rating given Maryland by the Washington based Council On State Taxation for its Fair Tax Appeal Procedures. We definitely need to address the fact that our assessments are mainly based on questionable construction figures that we taxpayers can only challenge with sales data. Shouldn’t we at least consider a totally sales based system? This is but one plausible option opportunity a proper study could look into.

The Senator will also introduce a bill to allow property assessment worksheets to be accessed via the Internet just as the Real Property Search data sheets are. Anyone who has ever appealed an assessment knows of the necessity of obtaining comparable property assessment worksheets to fully analyze your property versus the State’s so called comparables or your own selected comparables. This bill, if passed, would save all appellants and the State considerable time and money. The State will argue otherwise as they have in the past. Their most ludicrous argument is that putting these worksheets online would violate the privacy of individual taxpayers. The Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Director Robert Young says this with a straight face while selling all 2 million of our records to a private firm who in turn offers them for sale to anyone with $115 to $225 per county/city.

A drastically amended form of this worksheet Internet accessible bill passed both houses last year without one dissenting vote. Unfortunately, the amendments accomplished exactly what SDAT wanted. It prevented the worksheets from being accessed via the Internet and it rendered the bill worthless. Unreasonable taxpayer requirements remained unchanged. SDAT then laughed all the way back to the office with their domain remaining status quo as they pulled the wool over the eyes of the entire legislature.

Somehow, we must convince the legislature to listen to us and accept the facts admitted to in public forums that the Department is understaffed; down from 230 to 158 assessors but has no ads for employment help that we could find, is unable to keep up with physical property inspections and changes; is unable to keep sales data up to date and openly admits many assessments are therefore in error — as many as 33% and wrong by 20% or more. These statements are quotes from the SDAT Director by various media sources and yet the same Director UNBELIEVABLY testifies, “We are doing a good job?” The Council that rates all States using property assessment /taxation methods rightly rates Maryland with a C for some of its efforts.

Bill details are not yet available. You can access the bills and schedules, when ready, for hearings at www.mgaleg.maryland.gov. As soon as information is available, we will send out notices and post the information on our web site. Please check us out. Notice is often short.

Please pass on to others asking them to help and support these property taxpayer efforts ?

H. LeRoy Whiteley, Jr. Founder

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

About A Dagger Reader

Send Us Your Letters
tellus@daggerpress.com

Comments

  1. ?????? ???? ???????? says

    August 12, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work
    and exposure! Keep up the amazing works guys
    I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sounding Off

  • “I can't wait to see what is in these emails that Bob is not wanting to share.”

    Bob Watch | Harford County Sheriff’s Office: Cassilly Administration in Violation of Maryland Public Information Act

  • “I like Gahler as well but don't forget he is backing his Sgt.Pennman who sits on the County Council. Pennman…”

    Lalta Durbal | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “This Cassilly/Penman spat I believe was initiated, at least in part, by the possibility of public housing projects being built…”

    Open Your Eyes | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “A plat revision reducing the number of lots is hardly worth you weeing your shorts over.”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “You do know there is a system in the county called “Fast Track”. Ask your buddy Euler, he’s already used…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Nothing at all suspicious about a property that has sat around for generations and then gets approved in record pace…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “The supposed development that everyone is referring to goes back generations. When 95 was built there were lots created by…”

    Dragonman | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Right you are. Pretty comical that Bob Cassilly has a business registered at his home address that is not his…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Quite a display of clownsmanship from Penman at last nights council meeting. Is he off his meds? You’re not in…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “I don’t have a dog in the fight regarding the Cassilly v. Penman conflict. I hope it is resolved in…”

    Open Your Eyes | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Shenanigans? You’re hilarious.”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Yeah, that's the whole point. He is not any other county resident, he is the county executive and he and…”

    Happy Bob Real Estate | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “The amount of disinformation here is staggering. The land that is owned by Bobs family was actually platted for 14…”

    Dragonman | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “$145,000 for a part-time job and then demand more money? Pretty cushy spot he's in...maybe he needs to spend his…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Cassilly makes way over 145k and in fact took a cola double of what he gave county employees. You are…”

    JJ | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “@money tree OMG! Penman is paid the same sergeant's salary that every one else earns and a rate that is…”

    Where there is Smoke | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Good lord man, go back and read the claim being made. You folks are all over the map. First it's…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “@Money Tree Since you are so much in the know, Did Bob authorize the Administrator to sign as Bob Cassilly,…”

    Where there is Smoke | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “All that money must have you high. No one said executive forged a document. It is Bob claiming someone else…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “I will repeat - you are aware that any approvals for development go through various county agencies to ensure whatever…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “He had plats expedited and also some things allowed to get more lots. His Planning Advisory Board appointee Amy O’Neil…”

    JJ | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Claiming the county executive forged a document could wind you up in civil court if you care to say that…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “You must be Bob with the name money tree since it seems to be raining down money on you and…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “Ethics complaint stating Cassilly signed off on a plat for development that involves his family which has already been easily…”

    The Money Tree | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

  • “I read the Aegis article and it looks like Penman made his ethics complaint on Feb. 14 and Cassilly made…”

    Bob Watch | Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly

Recent Posts

  • Trio Arrested In Connection With Alleged Assault, Kidnapping In Darlington March 17, 2025
  • 3P: “Developers’ Exploitation Led to Missed Opportunity for Harford County” December 19, 2024
  • 3P Protect Perryman Peninsula: Developers Exploit Horse Training Facility to Push Illegal Freight Terminal Project September 5, 2024
  • Arrest Made in Aberdeen Triple Homicide; Victims Identified April 30, 2024
  • Harford County Sheriff’s Office: Cassilly Administration in Violation of Maryland Public Information Act March 25, 2024
  • Harford County Executive Cassilly: “Once Again I Find Myself in the Position of Having to Fend Off Personal Attacks” March 20, 2024
  • Councilmember Penman Named as Subject of Harford Ethics Probe; Responds with Attacks on County Executive Cassilly February 28, 2024
  • Harford County to Purchase Land of Abandoned Eva Mar Development for New Public School in Bel Air February 27, 2024
  • Harford County Executive Cassilly Initiates Legislation for Comprehensive Zoning Review February 22, 2024
  • Edgewood Man Pleads Guilty to 1st Degree Murder February 22, 2024
  • Violent Carjacking in Aberdeen Leaves Man Injured; Victim Clings to Hood as Stolen Car Speeds Away February 17, 2024
  • Bel Air Man Found Guilty of Rape, Sex Offense, Assault; Faces Immigration Consequences February 9, 2024
  • Harford County Councilman Penman: “King Cassilly’s Intent is to Bully the County Council and Mislead our Community Members” February 6, 2024
  • Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly Announces Opposition to Legislation Allowing Freestanding Accessory Dwelling Units in Residential Areas January 16, 2024
  • Harford’s Cassilly Delivers State of the County Address: Redirecting Government to Serve People; No Tax Increases, Public Safety Upgrades, New County Parks January 12, 2024
  • Confrontation Leads to Gunshot, Murder in Bel Air December 30, 2023
  • Woman Charged with 1st-Degree Assault for Threatening Rental Company Employees in Aberdeen December 19, 2023
  • Edgewood Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Rape and Intent to Distribute Cocaine December 11, 2023
  • Mother Charged with Homicide in Death of 3-Yr-Old Son in Bel Air December 4, 2023
  • Longtime Employee of Harford County Manufacturer Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for $20 Million Kickback Scheme December 1, 2023

Archives

Extras

  • About The Dagger
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Sign up for The Daily Dagger Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to The Daily Dagger and receive new articles by email.

Copyright © 2025 ·Dagger Press LLC · Log in

%d