It is truly remarkable what a difference four (4) years can make. If we could journey back to ‘2006’, Marylanders demanded a change in Annapolis. Despite a 60% approval rating of former Governor Ehrlich’s performance during his term, Marylanders elected a new Administration with a message that promised to create new jobs and cut taxes for middle-income Marylanders.
Now, four (4) years later and under the Leadership of Governor O’Malley, Maryland received a “change”. Unfortunately, Governor O’Malley has delivered a “change” – unexpected and undesirable to Marylander’s expectations. In only his first term, Governor O’Malley, in an unprecedented decision, raised the corporate income tax, personal income tax, and the sales tax.
According to Governor O’Malley, the purpose for these tax increases, were to resolve a decade long structural state deficit. It was the message ...Continue Reading
Recovery Zone designation proposed for Stimulus Bond Funds to Assist Commercial Development Projects
(Bel Air, MD) – The Harford County Office of Economic Development will host a pre-application meeting for businesses interested in the Recovery Zone and Recovery Zone Facility Bond (RZFB) program on Monday, March 1, 2010 at 10:00 AM and Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Higher Education Conference Center, Room 130, 1201 Technology Drive, Aberdeen, Maryland. Each session will include a brief presentation about the proposed Recovery Zone and the guidelines, benefits and requirements to apply for RZFBs, followed by a question and answer session for prospective applicants. To make reservations, contact the Harford County Office of Economic Development by phone at 410-638-3059 or email to kmwajer@harfordcountymd.gov.
Harford County received a $15.1 million allocation on June 12, 2009 for Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFBs) to assist commercial development projects. The allocation was part ...Continue Reading
Delegate J.B. Jennings (R-7th Legislative District) proudly and fully supports the two (2) House Floor Amendments for House Joint Resolution 5 (HJR 5).
On Thursday, February 11, 2010, Delegate William Frank (R-42nd Legislative District) attempted to introduce two (2) amendments to HJR 5; however, both were defeated in a procedural move. The first amendment would have abolished the General Assembly’s defined benefit pension plan and replaced it with a 401K style contribution plan. The second amendment, offered as an alternative to the first amendment, would have reduced the pension plan for elected officials to place them on par with other state workers.
This morning, Delegate Frank requested the House of Delegates to move to recommit HJR 5 to the House Appropriations Committee to consider his amendments. Delegate Jennings voted in favor on Delegate Frank’s motion to recommit. Despite unanimous ...Continue Reading
The Governor admitted in his State of the State address that Maryland is in quite a bad fiscal position, yet he bragged that the State still has a AAA bond rating. On the surface, this seems good. But the ability to borrow money means the ability to put more financial debt onto the taxpayers and future taxpayers — our children and grandchildren — so that they can continue to push their failed fiscal agendas.
I thought the Governor’s most dangerous statement was when he said that it was government’s job to step up to the plate and help business. I haven’t spoken to any business people lately who believe they need any more “help” from the government. Quite to the contrary, they need the government to get off their backs and out of their pockets.
Harford County Council President Billy Boniface delivered his annual legislative address Tuesday night, citing the economy, budget, and property tax relief as the council’s priorities heading into 2010.
Addressing the slumping economy and its impact on Harford County’s budget, Boniface cautioned not to expect much in the way of new projects or programs.
“On the operating side it’s maintaining basic services without any bells and whistles. The Capital Program for this year; if the mortar isn’t being mixed or the dirt isn’t being moved, it’s most likely going to have to wait until things improve,” he remarked.
Boniface also said the council is determined to provide property tax relief for county residents.
“We lowered the homestead tax cap from a maximum allowed rate of 10% to 5% for this year forward, something no other Council since 1991 has had the fortitude to execute. We recently removed the service charge placed on those that choose ...Continue Reading
Three prominent Bel Air retail locations have stood empty for the last several months, but the new year will bring new life to at least one of them.
A recent tip from Dagger reader “Vic” indicated that Mars Supermarkets would move into the former Super Fresh location in Bel Air Plaza, Midwest electronics retailer hhgregg would take over the one-time Circuit City building in Tollgate Marketplace, and a Whole Foods location would open in Giant’s former home in Tollgate Plaza. Don’t get excited yet—that’s not 100 percent true at the moment.
The tip was accurate on at least one count: an hhgregg representative confirmed that the company plans to open a new store at 680 Marketplace Drive, the former location of Circuit City, by early or mid-spring.
However, a Whole Foods spokeswoman flatly denied the rumor regarding the former Giant store, saying that “there are no current plans for a space in Bel ...Continue Reading
The following letter was sent by Roy Whiteley, president of Marylanders for Fair Property Taxation:
Hello Folks. Got your new property tax assessment notice? Happy with it?
If not, read on.
December 29, 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE — STATEWIDE
Today the State mailed out new property assessment notices to 673,221 property owners while the Sunpapers screamed that home assessments fall an average of 19.7%?? That’s good news for one third of the over 2 million property owner/taxpayers. BUT what about the other two thirds of us???? Didn’t our property values decline the same as theirs???? And wasn’t it more than 19.7%???? We deserve the same reductions now??
You can do something about this inequity. Appeal your assessment now?? Go to www.dat.state.md.us and download the “Petition for Review of Real Property”. Hand deliver it tomorrow if possible. If not, the assessment offices will be closed on the deadline date December 31 for a State furlough ...Continue Reading
In 2010 the Edgewood Community Council will place a laser-like focus on two major areas- (Political and Economic Development) that play significant roles in improving our quality of life.
We will continue to address those social issues that affect our quality of life. But we can ill-afford to sit on the sidelines and complain about where we find ourselves, when WE possess the means to affect positive change.
The ECC will work with our local and state government representatives as well as such agencies as the Harford County Small and Disadvantaged Business Center to educate and engage our community about the potential that we already possess. At each of our meetings time will be set aside to discuss how to proceed in each of these areas.
The Edgewood Community has recently shown that when we work collectively (as we did in the the Prologics project), for the ...Continue Reading
(Bel Air, MD) – - Representatives of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China were briefed recently by Director James Richardson of the Office of Economic Development and Karen Holt, from the regional BRAC office, regarding economic development in Harford County. Members of the Chinese delegation included officials from the Guangxi Zhuang region who are responsible for future economic growth in China.
“It was a pleasure hosting the delegation from China and sharing information and ideas regarding economic development and business here in Harford County,” stated Director Richardson. “We hope the information we shared with the officials from Guangxi Zhuang will be of help to them when they return home,” Richardson stated.
Richardson and the Office of Economic Development presented information on planning functions and industry development. The office also discussed how the State, Baltimore Metropolitan Council and Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor operate, as well as how working ...Continue Reading
The following was received from the office of Del. Rick Impallaria:
I have two interesting pieces of legislation which I plan to introduce in the 2010 session. The first one is a direct result of bad legislation which I fought against, and voted against last session. In their infinite wisdom the General Assembly, over loud objections from myself and other members of my party, felt it was time to allow convicted felons released from prison to have the right to vote. Yes, this includes murderers, rapists and child molesters.
I find it offensive that these people would ever be allowed to have the right to vote, let alone, in many cases, to have the right to walk among us in society. On the floor of the House I asked the sponsor of the bill, Delegate Cardin, whether a convicted felon who had raped and murdered one of my ...Continue Reading
