Read more about the article Comptroller Transition Report Includes Local Government Input, Goals
Board of Public Works / Finance and Procurement / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Comptroller Transition Report Includes Local Government Input, Goals

A Transition Team Report for the Office of the Comptroller, assembled by and to guide Comptroller Brooke Lierman, highlights a range of service, outreach, and equity matters. The Team included substantial local government representation, including MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson. From the Comptrollers' website detailing the Transition Report: Transition Team Summary & Report: The Lierman transition was an open and inclusive process that connected individuals from around the state to reimagine how the Comptroller’s office…

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March 1, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Support Clarifying Ag Assessment Rates, Urge Local Input
Agriculture / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Support Clarifying Ag Assessment Rates, Urge Local Input

On February 21, 2023, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 0592 - Property Tax - Agricultural Land and Improvements - Assessment with amendments. This bill would require an improvement on land that qualifies for an agricultural use assessment to be assessed as agricultural property under specified circumstances. Currently, state law creates a special, statutory scheme for assessing land subject to active agricultural use. This exception…

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February 22, 2023
Read more about the article MACo to House: Watch Revenues, Zoning on Cannabis Reform
Agriculture / Cannabis / Economic Development / Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning / Public Safety and Corrections / Taxes and Revenues
MACo to House: Watch Revenues, Zoning on Cannabis Reform

On February 17, 2023, MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 0556 - Cannabis Reform with amendments. The Senate Finance Committee will consider the bill's cross-file, SB 0516, on March 9. HB 0556 is far-reaching in scope—from renaming existing regulatory commissions, to establishing a tax regime on the sale and use of cannabis, this legislation seeks to make real the will of Maryland voters following the November…

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February 20, 2023
Read more about the article MACo Supports Tax Relief for Disabled Law Enforcement, Rescue Workers
MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo Supports Tax Relief for Disabled Law Enforcement, Rescue Workers

On February 14, 2023, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 0508 - Property Tax Credit - Disabled Law Enforcement Officers and Rescue Workers - Definition and Eligibility. The bill alters the eligibility criteria of an existing local option property tax credit by requiring local governments to define, by law, who is a law enforcement officer or rescue worker for the purpose of the credit. MACo…

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February 16, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Support Homeowner Hardship Credit, Seek Technical Support
General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Support Homeowner Hardship Credit, Seek Technical Support

On February 14, 2023, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 0404 - Property Tax - Statewide Optional Credit for Homeowners Who Have Suffered a Hardship with amendments. The bill authorizes local governments to grant optional property tax credits to residents who have suffered a hardship under specified circumstances. An amendment could help in program administration. MACo generally supports legislation that provides broad authority to enact…

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February 16, 2023
Read more about the article MACo: Counties Should Decide When to Expand Eligibility for Local-Option Tax Credits
County Budgets / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo: Counties Should Decide When to Expand Eligibility for Local-Option Tax Credits

On February 15, 2023, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted a letter of information to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee for SB 0364 - Property Tax Credit - Dwellings of Public Safety Officers - Retired Personnel. This bill alters the eligibility for a local property tax credit for public safety officers by extending eligibility to retired individuals. MACo contends that any state legislation to expand eligibility for existing local-option tax credits, like this bill,…

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February 16, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Oppose Expansion of “IDOT” Tax Avoidance Scheme
County Budgets / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Oppose Expansion of “IDOT” Tax Avoidance Scheme

On February 14, 2023, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 0371 - Recordation Tax - Indemnity Mortgage Exemption - Threshold Amount. This bill would restore and invigorate a tax avoidance scheme for commercial property owners to avoid paying Maryland taxes on substantial financial transactions. Doing so is unwise and unfair tax policy, granting a tax break not promoting socially beneficial behavior, but merely rewarding…

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February 15, 2023
Read more about the article MACo Supports Additional Resources for Homeowners Facing Tax Sale
General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo Supports Additional Resources for Homeowners Facing Tax Sale

On February 7, 2023, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 0236 - Tax Sales - State Tax Sale Ombudsman - Outreach Campaign with amendments to bolster the outreach program by authorizing alternative communication methods to reach homeowners facing tax sale, as some homeowners may not have access to telephone services. This bill requires the State Tax Sales Ombudsman to implement an annual outreach campaign to inform…

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February 7, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Support Added Flexibility on Local Revenues
County Budgets / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Support Added Flexibility on Local Revenues

On February 2, 2023, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 0142 - More Local Tax Relief for Working Families Act of 2023. This bill gives counties the proper tools and flexibility to levy the local income tax with greater equity and fairness. In 2021, the General Assembly approved legislation authorizing counties to levy the local income tax on a bracket basis – standard practice for…

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February 2, 2023
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