Email Newsletter of March 7, 2006
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News Update from Senator Nancy Jacobs
District 34: Harford and Cecil Counties
March 7, 2006
In this Issue...
* Visit our New Website...
* Eminent Domain Issues and Legislation
* The Rise of Property Taxes: A Concern
for All
-- I Want to Hear from You
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Visit our New Website...
 We've created a new website that provides expanded information and
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- Scholarship Information
- Community News
- An Expanded News and Issues Area
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To give you sense of the work of our
elected senators and delegates we have
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of Senator Jacobs"
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Eminent Domain Issues and Legislation
Since the Supreme Courts decision in
the Kelso v. New London case, states have
been moving to pass laws that would put
limits on what government can take in the
name of public good, and Maryland is part of
the states that is in the process of change.
I have co-sponsored legislation that would
protect Maryland’s residents from activist
courts and over reaching state governments.
“Any property may now be taken for the
benefit of another private party, but the
fallout from this decision will not be
random. The beneficiaries are likely to be
citizens with disproportionate influences
and power in the political process,” asserts
Justice O’ Connor’s in her affirmative vote
on Kelso v. New London.
You never hear about mansions being taken
for public use or large corporations being
displaced for the development of a public
road. Rather you hear of middle class
families being evicted from their homes
under the pretense of using the property for
public use.
In order to protect the homes and
businesses of citizens of Maryland, I have
co- sponsored SB 173- Property Protection
Act of 2006 and SB 155- Harford County -
Eminent Domain - Limitation on Condemnation
Authority.
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The Rise of Property Taxes: A Concern for
All
One of the goals that remain in my
top priorities through each year of my time
in the Maryland State legislature is to
lower taxes for the citizens of my district.
This year, I have sponsored and co-
sponsored many bills aimed at lowering
taxes. I’ve introduced two bills that alter
the percentage used to determine the
Homestead Property Tax Credit.
Currently, the state has mandated an
assessment cap at 110% of the previous
years’ assessments. Counties can lower that
cap for their own jurisdictions, and some
counties have done just that. A few have set
the percentage cap below 5%, and one county
(Talbot County) has an increase cap of 0%.
It is my belief that the rising property
taxes are unfair, even more so for our
retired folks who live on fixed incomes.
Cecil and Harford County are hit
particularly hard, where so many of the
residents have waterfront property. These
waterfront properties tend to be passed from
generation to generation, where many of the
current homeowners wouldn’t be able to
afford to purchase the property at its
current market value. They are being taxed
as if they were new purchasers who could
afford to purchase the property at today’s
inflated prices.
Re-assessment of our property does not mean
that there is any more money in the home
owner’s hands to pay those extra taxes.
High-valued real estate is in no way related
to personal wealth and ability to pay taxes
for long term residents and those on fixed
incomes.
Those who oppose lowering property taxes say
that we are hurting an important revenue
source, yet consider the nearly $149 million
this puts back in the citizens’ hands. This
money can now be used to put money back into
the local and state economy! In other words,
rather than a decrease, this lower cap could
act as an actual increase in revenues to
state and local jurisdictions.
The Cecil County Senators have faced a
particular challenge in Cecil County with
our effort to provide tax relief for the
residents. Senator E.J Pipkin (R- Upper
Shore) argued in the bill hearing that Cecil
County benefited from a 13 percent increase
in revenue last year and he doubts if the
average citizen got a 13 percent raise that
would help cover the rising property taxes.
I urge you to write to the members of the
Budget & Taxation Committee, the chairman is
Senator Currie (D), in support of SB211
“Homestead Property Tax Credit” and SB752
“Cecil County- Property Tax- Homestead Tax
Credit Percentage.” I will continue to fight
for reduced property taxes so that all
citizens can afford to stay in the homes
where they have raised their families.
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I Want to Hear from You
If these issues or others are of
concern to you please contact me. I
represent you and your interests in
Annapolis.
Click here to visit our new website...
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Contact Information
phone: 800-492-7122 x3158
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