taxes
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Montgomery County’s “Tree Canopy Law” is Having Consequences Each and Every Summer – and Making “Tree Expert” Companies Very Rich
Read more: Montgomery County’s “Tree Canopy Law” is Having Consequences Each and Every Summer – and Making “Tree Expert” Companies Very RichDid you know you can get a “free” shade tree (maybe, depending where you live) for your property in Montgomery County? It is true… the county runs something called “Tree Montgomery”. This government “program”, a part of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, says people in the county can indeed get “free” shade trees:…
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People, Even “Labor Democrats”, Are Slowly Waking Up to the Consequences of Ideologues in Power in Montgomery County
Read more: People, Even “Labor Democrats”, Are Slowly Waking Up to the Consequences of Ideologues in Power in Montgomery CountyI enjoy reading Adam Pagnucco’s “Montgomery Perspective” posts from time to time. Anyone who wants a helpful perspective on Montgomery County government machinations, Democrat machine “insider baseball” deliberations and some interesting takes on the ramifications of MoCo Council policy should read it. Adam was a former chief of staff for former Councilmember Hans Riemer. Yes, the…
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A Property Tax Hike, But By WSSC? Fitch Ratings Revision for WSSC Shows What Could Be in Store for MoCo Residents
Read more: A Property Tax Hike, But By WSSC? Fitch Ratings Revision for WSSC Shows What Could Be in Store for MoCo ResidentsAre you taxed enough already in Montgomery County? Most people, certainly most homeowners or property owners, would say “yes”. In late May, the Montgomery County Council voted to approve a new fiscal year operating budget, and with it, yet another property tax rate hike. On top of hitting MoCo families and taking more money from their…
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Let’s Bag the Bag Tax
Read more: Let’s Bag the Bag TaxThe English writer Edward Bulwer Lytton said, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” At Clean Slate MoCo, we say, “Taking a percentage is mightier than a Russian T-90 tank (if the Russians still have any).” Let’s apply that principle to the bag tax. Plastic bags are indeed a problem. If I’m eating a take-out…
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WSSC Office of Inspector General Reporting on In-House Procurement Office Performance Reveals Much to “Be Improved”
Read more: WSSC Office of Inspector General Reporting on In-House Procurement Office Performance Reveals Much to “Be Improved”As we previously posted, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) pretty much always gets what it wants from Montgomery County Council politicians, particularly when it asks for approval on water/sewer rate hikes for the upcoming fiscal year. These rate hikes hit your wallet and mine and increase the cost of living for each and every resident…
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The Property Tax Hike Rebellion
Read more: The Property Tax Hike RebellionLet’s talk about the 10% increase in property tax (aka, “10 cent revenue enhancement”) supposedly to fund MCPS. Montgomery County demographics are largely Democrats, and much of the workforce is in government, contracting, and hospitality industries. Many would ordinarily support paying more for the schools. (Not to diminish the real burden this places on retirees…
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Why Do WSSC Water Rates Keep Getting Hiked? And Why Does the MoCo Council Not Bat an Eye?
Read more: Why Do WSSC Water Rates Keep Getting Hiked? And Why Does the MoCo Council Not Bat an Eye?“Council Backs WSSC Request for 7% Rate Increase” was the headline at taxpayer sponsored MyMCMedia.org. Instead of an 8% rate hike on water, which WSSC initially asked for, the Montgomery County Council decided to be kind of frugal, in a MoCo sense, and “unanimously voted to support Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Water’s (WSSC) request to…
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Maryland’s Sky-High Regressive Gas Tax Set To Increase Yet Again, July 1, 2023
Read more: Maryland’s Sky-High Regressive Gas Tax Set To Increase Yet Again, July 1, 2023Maryland residents will experience another crushing increase in cost of gasoline at the pump this summer drive season across Maryland. This is all courtesy of a Martin O’Malley-era law passed by Maryland Democrats in Annapolis that insanely ties gasoline tax rate increases to the rate of inflation. Energy costs themselves are a main driver of…