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State delegates and at least one senator said Friday they are not in favor of Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson's proposal to increase property taxes on homeowners to avoid laying off county employees.

"Voters don't want it. They've spoken already," said Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Dist. 21) of College Park after a meeting in Annapolis.

Peña-Melnyk was one of several state lawmakers who expressed serious concerns about Johnson's proposal to lift the Homestead Property Tax Credit for county homeowners, a move that would change the annual increase of the taxable value of homes from the current 5 percent up to 10 percent a year.

Because county charter restrictions prevent the cap from being raised by Johnson without a general referendum, the executive has asked the state to make the increase in the current General Assembly session.

"All the delegates I've spoken to are against it," said Del. Carolyn J.B. Howard (D-Dist. 24) of Mitchellville. "I don't know where he's going to get the votes."

The change, which Johnson has said is the only way to prevent the county from firing up to 500 police officers, teachers and other government workers to balance the $2.6 billion budget, would cost the owner of an average house assessed at $246,000 about $235 more per year on their county property taxes.

Officials are also pursuing another increase that would let them raise the tax that pays for transit services in the county. Currently, homeowners pay 2.6 cents for every $100 of the assessed value of their homes, though the exact amount it could increase is unclear.

Since the proposals were unveiled two weeks ago, they have provoked intense disapproval from many residents, who say the county is burdening homeowners in an already treacherous economy. Hundreds of residents packed a public hearing with the executive Thursday, speaking for four hours — mostly against the measure.

"It's extremely unpopular," said Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Dist. 25) of Mitchellville, who said lawmakers should investigate other alternatives to make up the projected $132 million deficit.

"Our job is not to overburden our citizens but to still maintain the services they expect," she said.

Johnson's plan got a divided reception by the County Council earlier this week when five of the nine members voted in favor after hours of wrangling. A couple of the dissenting members have said Johnson hasn't provided enough explanation to justify the tax hike.

"I would first like to see some examples of the type of cuts we would be facing before I support raising taxes," Councilman William Campos (D-Dist. 2) of Hyattsville wrote in a letter Thursday to constituents explaining his vote against the bill.

The lack of unity by the council makes many delegates reluctant to take up Johnson's request, Howard said.

"What kind of consensus is a 4-5 vote?" she asked, referring to the five votes in support of the legislation, three in opposition and one abstention.

Senate Delegation Chairman C. Anthony Muse (D-Dist. 26) of Fort Washington also said he had misgivings about Johnson's plan.

"Hopefully, we can work something else out. We can't raise taxes," Muse said. "I'm not sure where we are with this."

Delegates James W. Hubbard (D-Dist. 23A) of Bowie and Victor R. Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) and Doyle L. Niemann (D-Dist. 47), both of Mount Rainier, said they had not formed a position on the bill when asked Friday.

Johnson staffers were unable to name any of the county's 23 delegates and eight senators who have pledged to support the bill.

"Now that a majority of the council is on board, the executive plans to meet with delegates," said John Erzen, a spokesman for the executive, who said the leader may attend meetings with county senators and delegates next week.

The tax changes are a hard sell for many state lawmakers, who face re-election in 2010. Johnson is prevented from running for county executive again due to term limits, along with five council members. However, they can all run for other seats.

Del. Marvin E. Holmes Jr. (D-Dist. 23A) of Kettering said he would support a bill that transfers the decision to the divided County Council for final approval.

"If they want to have increased taxes, I'll give it to them to decide," he said. "If the council wants to increase taxes, it's incumbent on them to take the responsibility."

Johnson has said he is willing to take responsibility for the change.

"Once we get the votes in an election, we are obligated to represent all the people," Johnson told council members earlier this week. "These are life and death decisions. … We have to act in the public good."

E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net