Maryland will lose with higher taxes

Friday, Oct. 19, 2007

Maryland will lose with higher taxes

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Since Gov. Martin O’Malley has called a special session to deal with the budget, Prince George’s residents should pay special attention.

Gov. O’Malley’s proposals to increase tax revenues are flawed by their basic tenant that people will not change their habits in response to the change in the tax code.

Although some might believe an increase of $1 per pack for cigarettes is a good thing, smokers now purchasing cigarettes in Maryland will simply drive a few miles across the border into Virginia and save an additional $10 per carton from the already lower cost of cigarettes in Virginia.

Lowering the property tax and other additional transfer of wealth programs will reduce the funds distributed to each of the counties, which in turn will cause our county income taxes to increase, as they did when the state reduced its income tax rates years ago.

Placing a sales tax on health clubs will discourage their use. We want more Marylander’s exercising to remain healthy and to minimize the high cost of health care.

Just last week, a report on Bloomberg News stated New Jersey has lost $10 billion in taxes revenue because those that could, left the state for greener pastures like Delaware. Geographically, Maryland is challenged since many Marylanders live within 25 miles of another state.

Robert West, Bowie