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Maryland’s undeveloped lands need state protection now
In 1969 the Maryland Legislature created Program Open Space to fund the preservation of our farms, forests, and parks. For many years this fund was so successful that the rate of preservation of areas actually outpaced the rate of development. Unfortunately this success has been reversed in recent years because POS funds have been raided and used for unrelated purposes. Politicians who represent Baltimore — and our gubernatorial candidates — must pledge to stop diverting these funds. Marylanders want clean water and good parks. The time to protect our undeveloped places is now.
Smoking-ban legislation is un-American
One of government’s only true functions is protection of private property. Property ownership is the very foundation of our society. Owners of private property should be free to choose whether or not they want to make their property smoke-free, without the threat from a government gun.
The government has no legitimate say in regulation of this private pursuit. The anti-smoking lobby, in true Soviet fashion, is waging a hypocritical war on property. Don’t look to the state to use its coercive power to interfere with people’s property rights.
I hope the Assembly will fight this fascist legislation and embrace a free society.
Early voting equals fraud
Early voting opens the door to illegitimate and multiple votes and steals the election from the people. Voters should be required to show some type of identity, and voting should take place where both parties have reliable representatives in equal numbers.
I’ve seen Republican judges afraid for their personal safety in voting locations, and this form of intimidation was ignored — if not encouraged — by the Chicago Democratic machine.
Setting the record straight on tax credit
The credit limits the increase in the amount of property tax paid to an increase of percent from the previous year.
It is applicable to an owner who has been in the property at least one year prior to reassessment.
The assessments on the properties continue to increase as the periodic assessments are done by the city. This means that over a period of time the actual tax bill to the current owner, after the Homestead Tax Credit maximum increase is applied, will not reflect the actual tax on the property that would be due if the credit was not in place. The purpose of the credit is to prevent people who have lived in a home for a period of time, possibly elderly or on fixed incomes, from being “taxed out” of their homes because of rapidly raising property values. When sold, the new owner pays the full tax without credits.
City schools need money
I agree that there is a “lack of parental involvement and family values toward education and the lack of respect and personal responsibility” in many of the children served by Baltimore City. This is precisely the reason city children must have the services bought with the funds the governor holds.
It is incumbent on middle-class people to step up and demand that these children receive the services they must have to become successful, productive citizens. It is not enough to just lecture us on the importance of family values. I will not argue that point. But it costs more to send a child to prison than to Harvard. Where would Gregory like to see this money spent?
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