Economy
-
HB1300: Part 2—Implications of Canceling Restrictions
Read more: HB1300: Part 2—Implications of Canceling RestrictionsIn Part 1 of this series we described the background and potential extent of HB1300 and its intent to void restrictions on multi-family housing. In this part we’ll describe some implications of this legislation, one of which was articulated by a resident of Olney to an Annapolis delegate (redacted). “I am writing this note to…
-
HB1300: Part 1—Deeds, Restrictions, and Covenants
Read more: HB1300: Part 1—Deeds, Restrictions, and CovenantsA deed is a set of conditions that are part of a sale of real estate. The buyer undertakes to uphold the deed’s restrictions, covenants, and agreements. As the property moves from owner to owner, the conditions of the deed survive. The purpose of some deed restrictions is to provide predictability to buyers of the…
-
B-Movie Productions Mean Big (Maryland Taxpayer) Bucks for Movie Makers, Maryland Politicians
Read more: B-Movie Productions Mean Big (Maryland Taxpayer) Bucks for Movie Makers, Maryland PoliticiansSee any good “B-movies” lately? Generally low-budget, campy movies that don’t have great scripts or good acting paired with it. Often times they are “horror” flicks, or “horror comedies”. Sometimes they are almost like long-winded soap operas that go on for 90 minutes or more. Producing any movie is a financial risk. B-movie producers are…
-
Should Board of Education Positions Be Full Time?
Read more: Should Board of Education Positions Be Full Time?Physicists have known something interesting for quite some time: applying a force on an object moves that object, and applying more force on that object moves that object even more. Through an often painful political maturation, I came to a similar conclusion in matters of public policy. If you have a policy that produces poor…
-
Montgomery County Taxes and Affordable Homes
Read more: Montgomery County Taxes and Affordable HomesThis week Marc Elrich headed to Annapolis to testify in support of HB470 before the House Ways and Means Committee. Marc is quick to point out that it is “progressive”, which in Marc’s case means it provides an opening for him to squeeze more money out of the upper and middle class to fund his…
-
Wealth Transfer to the Wealthy: How CE Marc Elrich & MoCo’s State House Politicians are Fleecing Poorer Electric Rate Payers
Read more: Wealth Transfer to the Wealthy: How CE Marc Elrich & MoCo’s State House Politicians are Fleecing Poorer Electric Rate PayersMarc Elrich likes to brag about being a firm believer in “equity” and “fairness” Particularly with regard to wages and the County mandated minimum wage, County Exec Elrich is quick to brag about being on the side of “the little guy”. Never mind that the regressive policies he advocates for and pushes into law dramatically…
-
The Fallacy of County-Funded Aging-In-Place
Read more: The Fallacy of County-Funded Aging-In-PlaceHuman relationships are fickle. Probably the most fickle are high-school romances (for those of you who were lucky enough to have had one or two or three). Another example is bloggers on local politics such as myself. We can love our elected leaders, and we can just as easily hand them demerits. Such is the…
-
MoCo’s “Boost” – No Strings, Taxpayer Funded Universal Basic Income Program
Read more: MoCo’s “Boost” – No Strings, Taxpayer Funded Universal Basic Income ProgramWhen I first saw that email, I’ll be honest, I thought it was a scam. Have you seen the Montgomery County Collaboration Council’s (see screen shot below) newest video promoting the “story” of the Montgomery County UBI program participant? Probably not. As of this writing, it only has 38 views after being posted for a…
-
ZTA 24-01: Living Closer to God
Read more: ZTA 24-01: Living Closer to GodThere are reasons I don’t get invited to parties, the most obvious being my enthusiasm over liberalization in zoning laws. A typical conversation when I meet someone new at a wedding goes like this. “What are your hobbies?” “Pushing for removal of height restrictions. Yours?” “I’ll go get myself another brewsky. You stay here.” Just…
-
ZTA 23-10 Part 2: Sites for No-Parking Residences
Read more: ZTA 23-10 Part 2: Sites for No-Parking ResidencesIn Part 1 of this series we mentioned that Zoning Text Amendment 23-10 exempts residential construction from any parking requirements within a one-half mile of Metro, Purple Line, and Bus Transit Centers. Where are these sites, and what is within a half-mile radius around them? I drew circles around each of the county’s Metro, Purple…