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Watson: Use county money to cut fire tax, not pay for Belmont
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Related Topics: Howard County
Howard County (Map, News) - County money set aside to purchase Belmont could be used to reduce the fire tax increase, said Howard County Council members pushing for the use of state funds to buy the property.
“I don’t see how we can justify using local dollars,” said Councilwoman Courtney Watson, D-District 1, referring to a plan that would use state Program Open Space money to buy the historic property in Patapsco State Park in Elkridge.
Using state money could free up close to $5 million in County Executive Ken Ulman’s proposed budget for Howard Community College to buy the land and renovate existing structures. The county money could cover the fire tax, which Ulman proposed to boost 1 cent in the east and 3 cents in the west.
Watson said she would introduce amendments to the budget bills to remove the Belmont money, or if she can’t get support from her colleagues, she will seek to limit the college’s use of the funds, such as requiring an appraisal of the land.
In a letter sent to Ulman this week, the State Department of Natural Resources agreed to consider buying Belmont and the nearby 13-acre Dobbin property, which Ulman has pledged to buy with local parks money.
“DNR can reserve the necessary funds for this purchase if you and the County Council wish to pursue this option,” Secretary John Griffin wrote.
However, Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, D-District 4, said Griffin wrote the department “would consider” purchasing the property, which she didn’t interpret as an offer.
“I have to be convinced that the state owning the property is the best for our community,” Sigaty said.
Community activists have raised concerns about the college’s plans for Belmont’s development.
The council also has been looking closely at other items that could be trimmed, such as the $16 million for a new county office complex or about $500,000 for Route 1 corridor improvement.
Members also expressed concern about funding new projects and adding more than 140 new positions, considering expected funding.
“Is all this new spending sustainable?” Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5 asked.
smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:22 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008 re: "Post offices stay open late for tax procrastinators"
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5:30 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008
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4:39 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 31, 2008
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5:22 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
re: "‘No new taxes:’ Md. groups rally against O’Malley’s tax hike plan"
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5:14 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
re: "Republicans say poll a sneaky way to increase taxes"
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4:42 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
re: "‘No new taxes:’ Md. groups rally against O’Malley’s tax hike plan"
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12:24 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 7, 2007
re: "Republicans say poll a sneaky way to increase taxes"
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4:40 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 3, 2007
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2:28 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 3, 2007
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10:43 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 18, 2007
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Examiner Reader said:
What post offices are open today later than 7:30 p.m.?
5 agree | 6 disagree
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Gizmo said:
It's pay day in the congress and Ted Kennedy is waiting for my check, it's his turn to buy a round at the Senate Bar.
5 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This article should have been written in January... Better late than never...
4 agree | 5 disagree
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Martin O'Malley said:
Stop criticizing me, you'd do the same thing if you were in my position. I'm the governor, I have the right to have more power and control over money. And the best way to do that is take it from the rich. They have the most of it, and besides, they don't protest and complain because they're too busy working.
156 agree | 149 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The poll was done by "Alliance for Tax Fairness, a coalition of liberal advocacy groups". I'm sure that wasn't biased at all... What really cracks me up are these far left groups that throw "Progressive" in their title. Progressive to who/what, other than your socialist agenda? Is huge government "progress"? I don't think so, anyway.
149 agree | 148 disagree
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reader said:
I think the politicians should stand and say to O'Malley, make the cuts and see where that lying, sack of crap will lay the blame then. Oh I forgot he can always blame Bob Ehrlich, even for the BGE lies he told us.
154 agree | 162 disagree
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VJC College Republican said:
If Thomas Jefferson thought taxation without representation was bad, he should see it with representation!
166 agree | 168 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Thanks Baltimore City and Prince Georges county for electing this tax and spend Democtat. You deserve all the taxes this wimp can impose
197 agree | 160 disagree
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Sven said:
Makes no never mind. O'Malley has got them where he wants them. Don't give him his tax increases and he will cut the funds to your county, teachers retirement, green programs and anything else to blackmail the legislators. M.O. WINS!
178 agree | 185 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Tax fairness” lol. How is it fair the I might be taxed more just because I happen to be successful? Am I using more State resources then someone who is less successful? I've got two kids in college but I don't qualify for any state aid on tuition because I've committed a sin against liberal sensibilities by making to much money. A lower income citizens kid gets the State tuition aid my kids are denied how’s that for fair. The 4% state tax on a $200,000 salary equates to a bigger contribution to the state coffers the 4% with held from a $35,000 salary so don't talk to me about fair taxation.
221 agree | 209 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Simple solutions to taxes, No Taxes except on purchases.... The rich would then pay and the poor would save. No employment tax!!
210 agree | 191 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is it that the folks who conduct these polls never speak with anybody I know?
206 agree | 184 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I've searched everywhere for the list, including the Times for the list of properties. It has not yet made it to the OTR website. Anyone know where you can find this other than the original newspaper ad?
263 agree | 224 disagree
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