The previous blog saying we Marylanders are not so heavily taxed presents the point of view of the Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute, which calls itself "non-partisan." Non-partisan it may be, but it certainly has an agenda.
In its October report, it talks about the plight of elderly and those with disabilities and how they need more state assistance, failure to help low performing students in schools because of lack of funds, and expresses a great deal of anguish over health care for children. It goes on for three paragraphs about a 12-year-old boy in PG County who died from a brain infection resulting from a cavity that his parents supposedly couldn't afford to have treated (although the boy was eligible for dental care under the state Medicaid program). The answer, of course, is more state spending and higher taxes.
Anyway, what I am saying is the Institute has a very definite political agenda which involves spending more money on social programs. Whether we are taxed enough or not is a matter of opinion and not fiscal analysis.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
We're Not Taxed So Heavily Now
According to the non-partisan Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute, state taxes in Maryland are low in relation to the income earned by its residents.
The proportion of Marylanders’ personal income being collected to pay for state and local government is lower than in 46 of the other 50 states.
Take a Look at This Site
State Senator E.J. Pipkin has a site -- www.StopMarylandTaxHikes.com -- that gives his arguments against the proposed tax increases.
He points out the legislature is being asked to enact a 20% increase in sales taxes, and increases in personal income taxes, gasoline tax, cigarette tax, vehicle titling tax, and corporate income tax. In addition, they are looking at taxing services not previously taxed, such as cable TV, auto maintenance, beauty and barber services, shoe repair, and many, many others. Sen. Pipkin says even tax preparation will be taxed -- you'll be taxed for paying taxes!
He says we're looking at the largest tax increase in Maryland's history.
He points out the legislature is being asked to enact a 20% increase in sales taxes, and increases in personal income taxes, gasoline tax, cigarette tax, vehicle titling tax, and corporate income tax. In addition, they are looking at taxing services not previously taxed, such as cable TV, auto maintenance, beauty and barber services, shoe repair, and many, many others. Sen. Pipkin says even tax preparation will be taxed -- you'll be taxed for paying taxes!
He says we're looking at the largest tax increase in Maryland's history.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Why a Special Session
One newspaper article says the special session to raise taxes will cost us taxpayers $700,000. If the governor had waited two and a half months until the regular session (as many Assembly leaders urged) we could have saved a big sum.
Question -- was the $700,000 figured in the deficit or do we add that to the $1.7 billion?
Question -- was the $700,000 figured in the deficit or do we add that to the $1.7 billion?
Saturday, October 27, 2007
But More Money for Health
The day after the Governor warned of all the cuts he would have to make if taxes weren't raised, he announced an expanded health program that would cost an additional $739 million. I don't understand what is going on.
Sceptic
Sceptic
Let's Cut Police and Medical Care
If he doesn't get a tax increase, he says he will have to cut police, Medicaid, libraries and a lot of other good things. C'mon, Gov. That sounds like the old Washington joke - if Congress doesn't give us more money we'll have to shut down the Washington Monument.
Peggy Stewart
Peggy Stewart
Friday, October 26, 2007
Higher Taxes or More Prudent Spending?
That's the question Maryland taxpayers (which means almost all of us) should be asking as Governor O'Malley's special legislative session to raise taxes looms.
How did a balanced budget that O'Malley inherited from the previous administration turn into a $1.7 BILLION DOLLAR deficit in just one year?
In my simplistic view, there are only two things that affect a budget -- income and expenditures. The income for the State of Maryland under the existing tax structure could not have fallen. The economy of the state is doing well, even growing, which means more revenue is coming in from personal income taxes and business taxes. The only apparent answer is the Governor is dramatically increasing spending.
Let's talk about this - thoughts and comments welcome.
How did a balanced budget that O'Malley inherited from the previous administration turn into a $1.7 BILLION DOLLAR deficit in just one year?
In my simplistic view, there are only two things that affect a budget -- income and expenditures. The income for the State of Maryland under the existing tax structure could not have fallen. The economy of the state is doing well, even growing, which means more revenue is coming in from personal income taxes and business taxes. The only apparent answer is the Governor is dramatically increasing spending.
Let's talk about this - thoughts and comments welcome.
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