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Md. officials worry hit from tax ruling could exceed $140M estimate
ANNAPOLIS — Costs to local and municipal governments related to a U.S. Supreme Court decision on some local tax payments could grow beyond an initial $140 million estimate if eligible taxpayers successfully challenge an interest rate set by the state on the outstanding refunds. The Supreme Court last month ruled that the local governments could […]
Md. rural counties group plans economic summit
CUMBERLAND — A coalition of rural counties is planning an economic summit next month in Annapolis to get the word out about the importance of rural communities to Maryland’s economy. The Cumberland Times-News reports that the Maryland Rural Counties Coalition plans the summit for Nov. 15 at the Governor Calvert House as part of the […]
Group calls for western Md. counties to secede
WESTMINSTER — A group is calling for five western Maryland counties to secede and form their own state. Scott Strzelczyk, leader of the Western Maryland Initiative, says people are fed up with the liberal majority and want an “amicable divorce.” He wants to live in a smaller state, with more “personal liberty, less government intrusion, […]
Cities, towns face myriad legal challenges
Local governments can stop homeowners from displaying certain signage on their property, most government information is public, and panhandlers have free reign on town and city streets.
Md. counties mixed in responding to new growth law
ANNAPOLIS — A Maryland environmental group says some counties are meeting the requirements of a new state law that limits growth, but others are not. The group, 1000 Friends of Maryland, says that is putting rural areas of the state at risk. The group released its report on Tuesday. The law creates a four-tiered system […]
Md. towns, counties balk at ethics reform
WESTMINSTER — Many Maryland municipalities are balking at a state law aimed at stiffening their ethics rules. The Carroll County Times reports Thursday that nearly three-quarters of municipalities are claiming at least partial exemptions because of their size, budget constraints or because the rules would discourage people from running for office. The law passed in […]
6 counties in D.C. area among most affluent in country
WASHINGTON — New census numbers show the Washington region is home to six of the 10 counties with the highest household incomes in the country. Loudoun County, Va., topped the list with a median household income of about $119,000 in 2011, followed by Fairfax County, Va., at nearly $106,000 and Arlington, Va., with almost $101,000. […]
Some say special session can’t be put off for long
State lawmakers may not be in the mood to get back together after a contentious end to the 2012 General Assembly, but some interested parties say a special session needs to happen sooner rather than later. Onlookers suggest the longer lawmakers are back in their home districts, the more time local officials have to press […]
House signs off on bill to regulate septic use
ANNAPOLIS — The House of Delegates signed off Friday on a measure to limit where residential septic systems can be installed. The House voted 93-45 to approve the bill, which dictates that counties create a four-tiered system to limit where new residential subdivisions can be located, especially in the state’s most rural areas. The bill […]
4 rural counties join in opposing PlanMaryland
ANNAPOLIS — Four rural Maryland counties say they’re joining forces against a proposed statewide development plan called PlanMaryland. Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties said Monday they have formed the Maryland Rural Counties Coalition, largely to lobby against the plan. They say they hope to expand the group to include other rural counties, including those […]
P.G. County agrees to pay $4M to foreign teachers
UPPER MARLBORO — The public school system in Maryland’s Prince George’s County has agreed to pay $4 million to reimburse more than 1,000 foreign teachers it hired and required to pay fees the school system should have handled. The teachers, most from the Philippines, were hired under a visa program for foreign workers. An investigation […]
State overpays locals by $11.7M
Maryland counties unexpectedly awash with extra cash in May will see their finances come back down to earth this month as the state fixes a flubbed formula used to disburse income tax revenue to local jurisdictions. The mistake in the comptroller’s office sent the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore city $11.7 million more than they […]
