Franchot Blog

Are you ready for April 15th?

No? You're not alone. Thousands of Marylanders are in the same boat. That's why I'm inviting you to join me for an online chat.

Visit my official Comptroller's website, www.marylandtaxes.com, this Thursday, April 9th from 2-3 pm and click on the chat icon to join in.

I will be available to answer any questions from last minute filers and to make sure that you don’t fall victim to any last minute tax scams. Come, ask your questions and make sure that you don’t miss out on your refund!

If you have any tax questions, have any problems with the process or have any questions for me, please visit my official website, www.marylandtaxes.com, this Thursday, April 9th from 2-3 pm and click on the chat icon to join in.

Looking forward to talking to you.

It's rare that newspapers make glowing comments about political leaders. But, the Easton Star-Democrat did just that in an op-ed yesterday. They concluded:

Common sense in government leaders is a valuable thing. It's a pleasure to watch Peter Franchot at work. And he may save Maryland taxpayers a lot of money in the process.

The Star Democrat praised Franchot for promoting environmentally sustainable heating at Eastern Shore schools. The Star-Democrat explains:

An intense Comptroller Peter Franchot requested that the Maryland Department of the Environment grant an immediate waiver for a permit holding up a $27 million renovation to Colonel Richardson High School at Wednesday's Maryland Board of Public Works session.

While it should take only a matter of days to secure a state stormwater discharge permit (assuming all the paperwork is in order), the state has reverted to an older process that takes months as it waits for a legal challenge over its procedures from the Waterkeeper Alliance to be resolved. Any project affecting one acre or more of land must go through the rigorous individual permitting process, which can now take as long as five months.

According to MDE spokesman Dawn Stoltzfus, however, MDE does not have the authority to waive the federally mandated permit. The permit for the Colonel Richardson project should be issued April 20 provided no one challenges it, she said.

Franchot was praising the merits of geothermal heating systems at Eastern Shore schools when he learned about a delay in installing just such a system at Colonel Richardson during a meeting Tuesday with The Star Democrat editors. He vowed to raise the issue at the Board of Public Works meeting the next day, and he did.

"I basically said, 'look, just because an environmental group is suing the MDE over a completely unrelated issue, an environmentally friendly project on the Eastern Shore should not be stuck in neutral,'" Franchot said. "It doesn't make any sense. It's a reminder why people get so frustrated with state government."

Franchot lauded Eastern Shore school districts for installing geothermal systems, as they are both environmentally and economically responsible. While Colonel Richardson will reduce its operating costs with installation of the geothermal facility, the construction delays could add to the overall cost to the project, as it may require overtime work to get the geothermal well field installed on time.

"I would like MDE to grant an immediate waiver to the Caroline County school system ... not 90 days from now, not 60 days, tomorrow," Franchot said.

That's the kind of tenacious approach Marylanders need in Annapolis. Geothermal is part of a package of clean energy technologies we need to implement now to stop catastrophic climate change. It's also a technology that will save state and local government money. We can't wait on this kind of project because the wheels of bureaucracy are slow. It's why Comptroller Franchot is taking action. The Star-Democrat continues:

Franchot's take on this holdup demonstrates the same common-sense approach he took last year when one state agency's foolishness was holding up another state agency's efforts to install the broadband cable the length of the Eastern Shore to help make the Shore as computer-connected as more urban parts of the state. It also mirrors his common-sense approach to the proposed 600-seat Sudlersville Middle School auditorium. While the project hasn't won final approval yet, if it is approved, it will be because Franchot spoke up to get it put back into the school construction plans, and it is much-needed by the Sudlersville community.

Now more than ever, Maryland needs common sense leaders to make sure state government works for people.

First, we the Comptroller's office gave us this. Now, we have a sequel:

Today, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that his agency was launching another YouTube advertisement aimed at encouraging Marylanders to file their taxes electronically. As a result of its outreach, the agency has downloaded over 1.1 million electronically filed returns thus far this tax season - an increase of nearly 10 percent above this time last year.

“This is no April Fools’ Joke. We are serious in getting the word out about the benefits of e-filing,” said Comptroller Franchot. “Bringing humor to the otherwise stressful topic of doing taxes is one way we have grabbed people’s attention this tax filing season, and the results speak for themselves. Because of these efforts, the number of refund checks delivered via direct deposit has grown by more than 18 percent from last year, while those sent in the mail have decreased by more than 37 percent.”

Watch!

Pass it on. And, visit MarylandTaxes.com to efile by April 15th!

Today, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced today that businesses can now eliminate tax liabilities through the click of a mouse by using Bill Pay for Business. Peter Franchot:

Our highest priority at the Comptroller’s Office is to provide efficient and timely service to Maryland taxpayers. I urge any business that is eligible to take advantage of this newest online feature. It is fast, easy and secure.

You can learn more about and participate in Bill Pay for Business at marylandtaxes.com.

In October 2007, the agency unveiled Bill Pay for Individuals to satisfy personal tax liabilities. Since then, more than 12,000 individuals have paid nearly $11,018,000 in liabilities. This newest application will allow businesses to pay outstanding taxes including: sales and use, withholding, pass-through Entity, corporation, stet corporation, limited liability company, fiduciary, tire recycling fee and the bay restoration fee.

Use it now.

Comptroller Peter Franchot is doing his part to tighten the belt during these tough economic times, and, he's asking you to do the same. Franchot writes in the Baltimore Afro-American:

As Maryland’s chief fiscal officer, I am ensuring my agency does its part. We have streamlined our expenditures and made cuts where possible. Although the tax season is our busiest time, we hired less temporary workers this year which has slowed down processing time for paper returns, but not significantly.

We are doing all we can to expeditiously process paper returns, including requesting the assistance of our regular employees with opening mail and in various other areas of tax processing. Still, taxpayers who file by paper may have to wait up to a month for a refund check. I urge all taxpayers to file electronically this year.

Filing online is fast, easy, simple and it saves Maryland much needed revenue. Learn more at marylandtaxes.com. Franchot continues:

With less than a month left to the April 15 deadline, please encourage everyone you know to file their returns electronically this year. Aside from being easy, fast, convenient and safe, filing electronically saves the state $2, while returns filed electronically cost less that 40 cents. In fact, the state has saved more than $14 million in processing costs since electronic filing was implemented in the early 1990s. Considering the current economy, we need to save every penny possible.

Filing electronically also allows taxpayers who owe the state additional tax liabilities to delay payment until April 30, as long as the return is filed by the deadline. This is an added bonus to taxpayers who want to hold on to their money as long as possible.

Comptroller Franchot isn't just saving money on efile, he's also getting the job done by cracking down on smugglers. On Saturday agents for the Comptroller confiscated nearly 2,000 packs of contraband cigarettes and arrested one man along Interstate 95 north in Baltimore County. The contraband cigarettes are valued at nearly $11,000.

We all have to do our part, however small, to help our state continue to provide the services we expect during this economic downturn. And, to make that happen, we all need to take action. You can do your part by efiling before April 15th. Act now.

E-File! It's fast, easy and you get your refund check back much faster. Learn more at www.marylandtaxes.com.

The bleak financial news this week has reminded us that our economy remains in a weakened and vulnerable condition, and hard-working families all across Maryland are struggling to make ends meet. They are faced with a "perfect storm" of higher taxes, plummeting home values, stagnant household incomes, uncertain job prospects and market instability at a time when the costs of gasoline, energy and food are on the steady rise.

One-year after the Governor and the legislature passed the largest tax increase in State history we still face a structural budget deficit of extraordinary magnitude - and that's true regardless of what happens with the November's slots referendum. The reality is that we simply cannot tax, or gamble, our way out of the fiscal and economic crisis we find ourselves in.

We're doing our part in the Comptroller's office to ensure that we collect money that is owed the State and that everyone is paying their fair share. We're collecting unpaid state taxes from federal contractors through an innovative, first in the nation program. And, we're closing tax loopholes and we're going after corporations sheltering their income by establishing "holding" companies in Delaware.

However, we must also approach our current financial challenge with a shared commitment to true spending reform. Working families all across Maryland have had to tighten their belts, and after a decade in which the size of the state budget has doubled, so too should our State government.

That is why I have proposed a blue-ribbon commission to undertake a comprehensive and critical review of State spending, similar to the approach taken by former Governor Mark Warner when Virginia faced its own budget shortfall. I am confident that a commission of unquestioned stature - and one that reflects the great diversity of our State - will provide us with the fresh approach that we so sorely need, as well as a footpath for true spending reform.

I believe we have the opportunity before us to find common-ground and create a lasting solution to get our fiscal house back in order and protect the quality of life we are so fortunate to enjoy as Marylanders. Maryland's budget crisis is real, and the time for quick fixes and gimmicks to balancing our budget is over. As working families all across Maryland have had to tighten their belts to make ends meet, it is time for Annapolis to do the same.

Thanks so much for your time.

After hearing from former President Clinton and Senator Biden last night, and in looking forward to tonight's speech... I am reminded of and humbled by the simple saying that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Yesterday was the day when the forces of history collided at this one convention -- coinciding with the two respective anniversaries of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and women securing the right to vote -- through three trailblazing leaders in Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. I felt tremendous pride when I cast my vote to nominate Senator Obama to be the Democratic nominee for President.

Tonight, we will see the culmination of this convention and another chapter in this fight as Senator Obama accepts our Party's nomination. We will be reminded why this fight has been, and continues to be, worth the sacrifice. The history of our party and our country has always been defined by ordinary people taking control of their lives, getting off the sidelines fighting for economic and social justice.

Change is never easy...and we have our work cut out for us. But the story of progress in this country has never come without sacrifice, and America's greatness has not come without struggle. I am more confident than ever that the American people are ready for change – and ready to elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States of America. Tonight will be the night when we bear witness to history being made, knowing that tomorrow we begin with renewed spirit our pursuit of that basic American ideal to create a more perfect union.

Day Three of the convention is under way, and you can feel the energy building up to Senator Biden's acceptance speech tonight, an important address by President Clinton and tomorrow's main event where Senator Obama will become the Democratic nominee on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

I started today by attending a breakfast hosted by Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. While there, I had the honor to hear from another native of Baltimore whose father and brother also served as mayors of the city, and who is now the Speaker of the House and Chairwoman of this convention…Representative Nancy Pelosi. She, like Senator Obama, believes in a strong federal partnership with our urban hubs like Baltimore to ensure that all residents – no matter where they live – can enjoy a good quality of life, with thriving neighborhoods to live, work and raise a family.

I just finished participating in a meeting with state comptrollers and treasurers from across the country about our combined efforts to increase minority participation in managing state pension funds. Expanding economic opportunity and breaking down barriers is what the Democratic Party is all about, and I'm proud to join with my colleagues from across the nation as we work to open doors and bring about change.

This evening, I will be attending a reception honoring Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a strong leader for our Party and a voice of reason on so man important issues. During the primary, I was proud to spearhead the efforts of Maryland Veterans for Obama, and tonight will be honored to participate in an event honoring our fighting men and women with Maryland resident and former Vietnam POW Bob Randell.

I'll also be taping a video from the convention floor tonight as the Maryland delegation proudly watches our own Congressman Elijah Cummings electrify the crowd with his passionate oratory about why we need to elect Barack Obama President of the United States of American. Stay tuned for the exciting footage, and my thoughts on what promises to be another fantastic night here in Denver.

Here are some photos from Tuesday...

Speaking at Lunch

With the Maryland Delegation

Hillary Takes the stage!