Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake plans to appoint a 20 member “Baltimore Tax Policy Focus Group” to study whether taxes can be reduced or changed in the City. Developers, real estate lawyers, and business leaders will serve on the group.

As reported by the Baltimore Sun,

“Our tax structure hasn’t fundamentally changed in many decades, while the city’s economy has changed a lot during that time,” said Andrew Kleine, the city’s budget director.

Kleine, who will work with the task force, noted that manufacturing jobs have declined in Baltimore, while jobs in education and medicine have grown.

“Is there a different tax structure that would be more efficient and reduce the burden on residents?” he asked.

The Mayor indicated that to be strategic, the City’s tax structure should be reviewed.