Kevin Kinnally, MACo’s Associate Director, offered testimony on Wednesday to oppose two bills representing state-mandated reductions in local revenue sources; HB 385 Income Tax – Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Alteration and SB 412 Income Tax – Personal Exemption – Disabled Individuals.

However, with these two bills – and those like them – MACo’s stance is not necessarily in opposition to the motivating force behind the bill, just the mechanism suggested to get achieve the goal.

In general, MACo opposes state-mandated reductions in local revenue sources, but welcomes tools to grant county options and flexibility to pursue their own parallel tax incentives, or to develop others to suit their local needs.

From the MACo testimony:

…In general, MACo stands for local self-determination. Counties, led by their elected leaders who are directly accountable within the community, are in the best position to make decisions on local affairs – ranging from land use to budget priorities. MACo steadfastly guards this local autonomy, and frequently advocates against statewide solutions that mandate county compliance or otherwise override local decision-making…

…State proposals that involve local revenue sources can be enacted as “local option” offerings, to allow counties maximum flexibility to achieve local goals. MACo urges the Committee to primarily consider state income tax credits as the best means to incorporate local tax relief as part of a broader policy…

For more on 2019 MACo legislation, visit the Legislative Database.