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Monday, April 27, 2015

Questions to Ask Your Senator and Delegates

Prince George’s County already bears the heaviest property tax burden of any suburban jurisdiction in the Washington metropolitan region, yet has the least to show for it.  County residents also pay one of the highest telecommunications taxes in the entire nation.

The Prince George's County charter prohibits raising property and most other taxes without a vote of the people.  Past attempts to raise property and telecommunications taxes have been rejected by the vast majority of voters.

Nevertheless, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker plans significant regressive tax increases, raising the property tax rate by over 15%, and the telecommunications tax by 50%, making the latter the second highest in the nation.

Mr. Baker claims he was authorized to override the county charter and the will of the voters by a law passed by the General Assembly in 2012, commonly referred to as SB 848.  

Questions:

1.  When you voted for SB 848 did you intend for it to authorize the county executive to override the county charter, repudiate the will of the electorate, and impose tax increases without a referendum.

2.  If that was not your intent, will you now publicly reject Mr. Baker's interpretation of the effect of SB 848 and publicly oppose his attempt to raise taxes without a referendum?

3.  If you did intend for SB 848 to override the county charter, or if you will not reject Mr. Baker's interpretation of the effect of SB 848 and publicly oppose his attempt to raise taxes without a referendum, can you explain why voters should continue to support or respect you when you so obviously disrespect the will of those voters?

Current Prince George's County legislators who voted for SB 848:


PermaLink: 4/27/2015

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