The government should first look internally to make up for budget shortfalls.
Anne Arundel County government officials frequently tout the importance of restoring trust in government, creating economic opportunity for all, implementing smart growth policies, and promoting health and wellness. To do.
They emphasize that transparency and community engagement are core values. But I'm wondering… are they just nice sounds or are they actual behaviors that we see in government officials?
To put this question in context, let me tell you a little about me. I am a mother and wife who was born in Baltimore City and raised in Pasadena. Now, as a middle-aged woman living in the suburbs of Annapolis, my life is of my own choosing.
I currently own and manage an affordable housing company, own and work for an aerospace consulting company, own and distribute my own philanthropic funds through the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, and serve on the boards of local non-profit organizations. I am the head of the department. I pay my fair taxes and obey the law. They are not intended to make an impression, but to frame an opinion.
Since December 2023, I have contacted county government senior leadership six times to express my opinion on Maryland House Bill 1515 (what I call a “disguised tax increase”). Repeat…6 times. And never a reply. There's not even a polite “I'll get back to you”.
House Bill 1515 poses high stakes for all Marylanders. If not complied with, the legislation essentially proposes to reduce the current state sales tax from 6% to 5%, but also expand the sales tax to 10 categories of services. We are proposing. Currently not taxed.
These services may include legal and accounting services. Daily home maintenance from cleaning to pest control to landscaping. Personal care such as haircuts, massages and tattoos. Fitness and personal training services. Admission to recreational facilities such as sports, theaters, amusement parks, and museums. We also offer personalized services ranging from veterinary care to dry cleaning and even funerals.
Supporters say the bill needs to be implemented to make up for the government's budget shortfall and project the state to receive more than $2 billion in increased tax revenue.
I strongly believe that the government should consider other ways to cover revenue shortfalls. Looking at this bill, it would place a significant burden on businesses that are not currently taxed, and that increased cost would likely be passed on to consumers.
Furthermore, government itself will need to become even larger to manage and enforce change. Finally, even if we reduce the overall sales tax to his 5%, I think it is only temporary and an optical ploy to get this bill passed.
I would rather the government make up for the budget shortfall by reducing overall size (headcount), streamlining, focusing on efficiency, and even cutting non-value-added services. The government should first look internally.
If the Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as you would like to be treated, would voters support their elected representatives the same way they support themselves? I know this opinion is shared by many other Marylanders…
Nicole Hassaniya, Edgewater
Don't delay flood mitigation efforts
Floods exert immense force, driven by their weight and the need to reach equilibrium. This natural phenomenon functions independently of human influence and pays no attention to regulations, public sentiment, or political motivations.
Our flood mitigation plans have undergone thorough scrutiny by the Planning Commission. We are tackling the immediate threat of flooding head-on, with a focus on critical infrastructure.
However, important secondary considerations such as amenity, aesthetics, and historic preservation are given lower priority in this context. Recognizing the urgency, the Planning Commission designated this as Phase I.
Are we prepared to take a gamble that could delay critical flood mitigation efforts and cause irreparable damage? Personally, I think it would put us on the wrong side of history. Refuse to weigh in on any decisions you may make.
Ellie Tierney, Annapolis
Tierney is the city councilman representing Annapolis' 1st Ward.
The nation should have prepared for the Key Bridge accident.
It's all very well that the March 30th issue reads, “Maryland policymakers announce relief for workers and businesses affected by Key Bridge collapse.”
However, why didn't the bridge piers and pile caps be strengthened in preparation for such an accident? What about the protective stone piers that extend upstream and downstream? Is it too much for state governments to look at critical infrastructure and ask, “What could go wrong?” before an accident?
After 9/11, state governments should have been wary of becoming easy targets for terrorists. A small group of terrorists may have hijacked the ship and carried out similar destruction. Are state governments leaving this responsibility to the federal government? Not a good idea.
Jeffrey White, West River
Doubts remain about teachers' union support
Teachers union TAAAC has officially endorsed Anne Arundel County School Board candidates. There were no surprises here. All incumbents were endorsed in Wards 1, 2, 5, and 6, while progressive Democratic candidates were endorsed in Wards 3, 4, and 7.
In each case, those who support the DEI and LGBTQ++ agenda were TAAAC’s chosen candidates. Teachers unions used to focus on teacher pay as a primary concern, followed by working conditions. But now I am LGBTQ++. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and whether age-inappropriate books are “banned.”
What's important to know is the conflict of interest in supporting Erica McFarland in Pasadena. She works on her campaign as a member of TAAAC's interview and selection committee. This man who actively supported McFarland should have been removed from the selection committee. Despite being aware of this apparent conflict, TAAAC was allowed to remain.
Other candidates include Chuck Yoakam. He has held many administrative positions in his AACPS as well as worked as a classroom teacher and coach, and given his experience and qualifications, he should have been at the top of the list.
Mr. Yokum knows the inner workings of the school system and his campaign is focused on getting the system back to academic basics, which unfortunately does not fit with TAAAC's current priorities. . But it should be a priority for parents and grandparents.
Amy Leahy, Severna Park
What are the county’s priorities?
I walk in Riva Park almost every day. Today I noticed that according to the sign there, they are redoing the children's play area and installing a rubber base. There is a lot of equipment and I think they will use it. I believe this playground has been redone within the last 3 or 4 years. This is the third time.
Then I read about a statewide conference on septic tank fires. There's a shortage of tank truck drivers and he can't afford another tanker that the neighborhood needs, but he can afford to redo the playground a third time.
Septic tanks across the state are longtime neighbors and are much needed in Anne Arundel County to keep our rivers and bays clean. There's no money, so why isn't my neighborhood protected from fires? The county is also looking to improve her five parks in the county with indoor activities, new buildings, and outdoor activities. I think that there.
Again, is it true? If our home or business catches fire, we are not protected. It turns out that most of us don't have a fire hydrant.
Dorothea Oliff, Riva
A year later, broken sidewalk pavement still needs to be replaced.
About a year ago, I stopped at a beautiful lookout on Route 450 near the Severn River Bridge. We noticed that some of the slate pavement on the sidewalk was in very poor condition and posed a safety hazard. Some were broken and missing parts.
When I called the SHA and asked when the paver would be replaced, I was told that the work was under contract. A year later, the broken pavement is still waiting to be replaced. In addition to being a safety issue, this situation is embarrassing as a local resident.
I can only imagine what people who visit the observation deck will think and say about the condition of the trail. When will the pavers be replaced? And why is slate replaced by concrete?
Chris Kirchner, Arnold