Politics & Government

Commissioners Say 'Rain Tax' Not Needed in Carroll County

Commissioners say they can fund maintenance and upgrade to facilities without charging citizens a tax.

In 2012 the Legislature adopted legislation requiring eight counties and Baltimore City to impose a storm water management fee, more popularly known as the “rain tax,” but Carroll County's commissioners say Carroll doesn't need it. 

In 2013, the commissioners asked the Carroll County delegation to file legislation exempting Carroll from the tax requirement, according to a news release. The legislation was not passed out of the Environmental Matters Committee prior to the end of the legislative session.

Del. Justin Ready, R-Carroll, said the legislation is over reaching and takes control away from local governments. 

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"I support sensible environmental protections and actions that will actually clean up the Chesapeake Bay. But, I do not support using environmental protection as a cover for an agenda of government confiscation and control," Ready said in a recent letter in the Carroll County Times.

"Our county commissioners are looking for ways to keep this from hitting taxpayer wallets, either by making the fee miniscule or charging a fee and then giving a credit on property taxes. They’ve joined me and the rest of the Carroll delegation in speaking out strongly against this."

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Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard said the county has fully funded the maintenance of these facilities in the past several years.

“Carroll County has once again taken the lead on this issue. Through proper maintenance of our infrastructure and conservative fiscal planning we’re able to handle this burden without over taxing our citizens,” said Howard.

Commissioner Richard Rothschild added, "We also continue to explore creative solutions with our sister counties in the Clean Chesapeake Coalition. We need to demand solutions based on verifiable science and sound economics."

Rothschild referenced a fiscal impact statement regarding this legislation: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2012rs/fnotes/bil_0007/hb0987.pdf

 


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