Governor Asking for Input

Governor Mitch Daniels is in a tight spot as there needs to be property tax relief for the state of Maryland, but no one seems to have a solution as to how that might happen. The budget it always overdrawn, and many think that if the state simply allows more slot machines to be legalized all of their problems will be over. However, others say that the additional money that comes in will simply be used to allow lawmakers to bring in more debt.

However, yesterday the governor wrote a letter to the General Assembly to ask for their assistance in helping those that are being the hardest hit by the taxes. The initial reaction was split, with some being willing to work with him and others not so willing. They are also working against a time clock as tax bills are expected to go up 24% this year, which would end up in many of them foreclosing on their homes.

Right now homeowners get a rebate check after they pay their bills for a portion of what they have paid. Daniels wants them to give them the break before hand so that they don’t have to put the money out. The law currently allocates slot machine fees to the rebate checks, but without the slot machine fees in hand yet, they are doing rebate checks – basically robbing Peter to pay Paul.

With slot machine money not in yet, some say that it will come too late to help most homeowners, and others say that any help is some help. Lawmakers say that it why they did the rebate because last year they didn’t have the money in hand yet.

 

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