Del. Jennings: Maryland’s Taxes Are Among The Highest In The Nation

Dear Editor, 

It is truly remarkable what a difference two (2) years can make.  If we could journey back to ‘2006’, Marylanders were in a state of disgust over the imminent increases in energy costs.  Demanding change in Annapolis, the State elected a new Administration that promised to thwart energy hikes and cut taxes on both personal income and property for middle-income Marylanders. Surprisingly enough, Marylanders elected this new Administration despite a 60% approval rating of former Governor Ehrlich’s performance during his term.  

Now, two (2) 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 raised all three (3) of its major tax rates.    Continue reading Del. Jennings: Maryland’s Taxes Are Among The Highest In The Nation

Harford County’s Hotel Tax Tanked by State Senate; Identity of the Bill’s Assassin Remains Unknown

This news was passed along this morning by Delegate Dan Riley:

“Hotel tax, for Harford County, killed in the Senate.

It is with great disappointment I’ve learned the hotel tax for Aberdeen was killed in the Senate.

The bill was doing well until someone offered an amendment. The amendment was accepted and became part of the bill thus killing Aberdeen’s chances of getting the hotel tax this year. I do not know what Senator was behind the amendment, I can only guess…maybe a friend of Hess?

I will bring the bill back next year, and the next year, and the next year…until it passes or the opposition, in the Senate, to the bill is retired by the voters.” Continue reading Harford County’s Hotel Tax Tanked by State Senate; Identity of the Bill’s Assassin Remains Unknown

Del. Stifler: Support Repeal of the Computer Services Tax Tomorrow in Annapolis

Greetings from Annapolis,

I would like to extend an invitation to everyone concerned with and affected by the computer services tax to attend the Public Hearing tomorrow, Wednesday 12th, supporting HB 187, 196, 253, and 326. The Public Hearing will take place at 1:00 pm in the Ways and Means Committee room. If you are able to attend please respond to donna.stifler@house.state.md.us by providing your name, affiliation, and phone number so that my aide can sign you up tomorrow morning. Please arrive at the committee room 131 before 1:00 pm. Only people who have signed up to testify may testify so it is important to email your information well in advanced. If you would like to submit written testimony please email it no later than tomorrow morning. Written testimony should be addressed to the Honorable Sheila E. Hixson.

Also there will be a large rally at noon tomorrow on Lawyer’s Mall, supporting a repeal of the computer tax. If you or your colleagues are able, please come down to Annapolis and have your voices heard!

Thank you,

Delegate Stifler

Harford Hoteliers Be Forewarned, Taxing Times Ahead: The Statewide Push To Tax Rooms In Aberdeen

If state Sen. Barry Glassman has his way, he will not give Harford County or the City of Aberdeen the ability to put a new tax on hotel/motel rooms anytime soon - unwelcome news to a financially-strapped city that was looking to finally secure the much sought after lodging surcharge.

While the rest of the city toiled with transition teams, inner turmoil among a feuding police department and ethics violations, old and new, at least one group of Aberdeen residents actually tried to get something done the old fashioned way - traveling by bus to Annapolis last week in support of the latest push to implement a hotel/motel room tax in Harford County.

Harford County is the lone jurisdiction in Maryland without the authorization to impose and collect a minimal fee on each night’s stay in such lodging. Yet its best chance yet to get the proposition passed - with a new senator representing the county and a broader bill introduced - may still be scuttled by fears of imposing a new tax, even a pass-through tax, during such uncertain economic times. Continue reading Harford Hoteliers Be Forewarned, Taxing Times Ahead: The Statewide Push To Tax Rooms In Aberdeen

Long Term Gains: Helton Gets an Aberdeen Tax Break

Convening for its first full meeting since being sworn into office, newly elected Mayor Mike Bennett and the Aberdeen City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a 10-year tax break for a property owned by Art Helton - the Democratic former state senator who masterminded Bennett’s triumphant ascent.

While Enterprise Zone tax credits, 10-year phased reductions in taxes due on properties located in specially designated areas like Route 40, are certainly not unique, it is unusual the city council would act so swiftly after the Nov. 6 election to approve Helton’s tax break. Continue reading Long Term Gains: Helton Gets an Aberdeen Tax Break