Winners and Losers
Here are a few of the winners and losers in Maryland politics in recent days.
WINNERS
The legislature's Black Caucus: A number of black lawmakers objected to Gov. Martin O'Malley's high-priority bill to collect DNA samples from people arrested for violent crimes. They said it was too broad and intrusive, and could disproportionately target African Americans. Under heavy pressure from the caucus, the O'Malley administration agreed to change the bill to require that a DNA sample be automatically expunged if the suspect is exonerated, and to mandate stricter regulations on how DNA samples are collected at crime scenes. Here is Philip Rucker's coverage.
LOSERS
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett (D): No matter how legitimate the need, spending more than $65,000 in public money on the construction of a bathroom -- with shower -- for your private office suite while you're asking for higher taxes and county job cuts is not an ideal public relations move. Leggett and his staff say the bathroom is needed for security reasons, and was planned before the current budget cycle began. Critics say it sends the wrong message. Here is Ann E. Marimow's story.
Chillum residents: Neighborhood activists have tried for years to stop Washington Gas from building a 13 million-gallon LNG storage tank in Chillum, about a block from the West Hyattsville Metro station. Legislation designed to block the plant by changing the rules for construction approvals from state regulators died in a House committee this week. The bill's sponsor, Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George's), says she'll try again.
By Anne Bartlett |
March 21, 2008; 8:25 AM ET
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Posted by: Robin Ficker, Broker Robin Realty | March 21, 2008 9:51 AM
"LOSER; Montgomery County Taxpayers. Having just gotten increases in sales, computer, income, car and corporate taxes and hikes in Metro, water and electricty fees along with $4 gas and depleted 401k's in a recession, homeowners were loaded up with the largest property tax increase in 20 years. Look for foreclosures and people leaving the county in droves."
Robin, I don't agree with everything you post but you hit this one on the head. I would also submit that Maryland drivers are losers as well; both the cell phone and speed camera bills smack as nanny-stateism. Doesn't our legislature have more important things to worry about? Oh, I forgot...this is just another form of taxation.
Posted by: Liz | March 21, 2008 10:27 AM
Robin, we agree that your quote on the taxpayers hit the nail on the head too. But we think Steve Kanstoroom was by far the best Democrat at the library forum. He is independent minded, bright and a civic activist. It seems like he will probe and ask the school system the tough questions.
Posted by: Bill and Mary | March 21, 2008 12:43 PM
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WINNER: Mark Fennel for County Council and Property Tax Relief Campaign in April 15 and May 13 special election. Fennel was by far the most outstanding candidate at this week's forum of council candidates at the Aspen Hill Library. He gave crisp and complete, detailed knowledge, perhaps because he was the only person on the stage who ran for this seat n 2006. Plus he was the only candidate to say that he would stick to the charter property tax limit while in office. A long-time employee for Citizens Against Government Waste, Fennel is an expert on, what else, government waste---something in great supply in Montgomery County. If you don't believe me look at Leggett's port-a-john controversy. Fennel's campaign was given a huge boost this week, unfortunately, because Leggett announced the largest property tax increase in a generation, since 1988. Fennel has a call for property tax relief on his hundreds of campaign signs placed on the lawns of homeowners.
WINNER: Our November ballot question which will make it more difficult to exceed the charter property tax limit. Leggett at a forum last night at Briggs Chaney Middle School said to the audience that he was opposed to the ballot question. Obviously he plans to increase property taxes past the charter limit, not only this year, but also the two years after that. This ballot question will thwart his plans.
LOSER; Montgomery County Taxpayers. Having just gotten increases in sales, computer, income, car and corporate taxes and hikes in Metro, water and electricty fees along with $4 gas and depleted 401k's in a recession, homeowners were loaded up with the largest property tax increase in 20 years. Look for foreclosures and people leaving the county in droves.
LOSER: County Executive Ike Leggett said that he ignored his own $30,000 poll which told him that only 7% of voters supported tax increases because he was exercising,"leadership." He said this at Briggs Chaney Middle School last night. This stance was really no surprise because Leggett said we needed "tax increases" to give the state more revenue last year and he voted for the largest tax increase iin county history in the early 1990's---a 20% increase in the county piggyback income tax.
LOSER: Council President Mike Knapp who said that the council would have to exceed the charter property tax limit. Knapp voted to do the same three times earlier, from FY03-05.
WINNER: Councilman Marc Elrich who is omnipresent, at least showing an avid interest in solving budget problems with minimum harm to overburdened taxpayers.