Franchot Blog

Comptroller Peter Franchot doesn't just talk the Shop Maryland talk, he walks the Shop Maryland Walk. Earlier this week, Franchot was in La Plata shopping and encouraging others to patronize local businesses. The Independent has the story:

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot looks at coasters with a map of La Plata on them as Audra Gillis, owner of House boutique, talks to other guests in the background. Franchot was visiting small businesses in La Plata on Dec. 4 as part of a campaign to convince holiday shoppers to patronize local stores.

There are only a few shopping weeks left before the holidays are over - make sure to Shop Maryland.

I've been doing a lot of holiday shopping over the past few weeks, and have been "shopping local" at independently-owned businesses across Maryland. This year, I'm encouraging all Marylanders to do the same this holiday season.

Joined by elected officials and civic leaders, I've had the privilege of visiting locally-owned stores throughout the state and meeting the business owners who are the true backbone of Maryland's economy. I have put up a photo gallery on Facebook with photos from my Shop Maryland tour. Add me as a friend on Facebook and check out photos from the tour!

CHECK OUT MY SHOP MARYLAND TOUR PHOTOS!

In today's economic climate, I understand if you're planning on spending less - many of us are. If and when you do shop this holiday season, however, I do encourage you to consider your local and independently-owned businesses. Believe me -- you will find terrific merchandise at affordable prices, friendly customer service, and a family-friendly shopping experience.

Across our state, our small businesses are hurting - they desperately need our business. If we all make a conscious effort to shop local, we will be helping folks who give so much back to our communities while spreading holiday cheer to those on our shopping list.

Comptroller Peter Franchot is criss crossing the state shopping at small businesses promoting Shop Maryland this holiday season. The Comptroller is encouraging Marylanders to do their shopping at locally owned stores. Here are some photos from a recent "Shop Maryland" excursion in La Plata.

Watch Comptroller Peter Franchot take to the streets of Hamden promoting shop Maryland. The report by WJZ-10 in Baltimore says that Comptroller Franchot is "putting his money where his mouth is" when it comes to shopping local. He's encouraging others to join him. Franchot:

This time, it's really important, for the next month, any gifts you buy, come on down and shop here.

This holiday season, make sure to support Maryland small businesses by shopping local.

Yesterday, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that some military spouses may be exempt from state income tax on income from services performed in Maryland if the service member is present in Maryland under military orders, the spouse is in Maryland solely to be with his/her spouse and the spouse maintains domicile in another state. The military spouses act is effective for taxable year 2009 and thereafter.

Comptroller Franchot commented on the tax relief:

Military spouses make tremendous sacrifices for our country. I’m happy to support the President’s action to offer this benefit to the strong men and women who support their service member spouses. My office will make the process of claiming this exemption and subsequent refunds as simple as possible.

A spouse whose wages are exempt from Maryland income tax under the new act may claim an exemption from Maryland withholding tax. Effected spouses wishing to claim this exemption should file a revised Form MW507 with their employer. The form can be found at http://forms.marylandtaxes.com/09_draft_forms/MW507.pdf. Additionally, any refunds for tax year 2009 can be claimed on a properly filed nonresident Form 505 with W-2s attached. The form will be available on the Comptroller’s Official Web site in the coming weeks.

You can learn more about the implementation of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act at www.MarylandTaxes.com

This week, Comptroller Peter Franchot was on the Eastern Shore where he opened the life crisis center and promoted 211. WMDT-47 has the story:

In medical emergencies, we are taught to call 911.

However, in the other emergencies of life, there's an answer to the call for help.

Michele Hughes, the Executive Director of the Life Crisis Center in Salisbury, said, "It's bad enough to be without a job or to be alone and afraid and in need of services. But it's even worse when you have no idea where to look."

On Tuesday, the Eastern Shore of Maryland welcomed its first call center, a place where someone will listen, and then provide services where more help is available.

Maryland's Comptroller was at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "If you have a crisis in your life, be it financial or emotional, call 211 because there's help there," said Peter Franchot. "I can see very clearly that the recession had a very big impact on people, on Marylanders. A lot of Marylanders are cracking under the financial stress." He added, "They need to know that they're not alone, that there is help."

The new Life Crisis Center is reached by calling 211, and it has someone available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This center is especially helpful to those living on the Eastern Shore:

Experts say it's a resource much needed on the Eastern Shore.

"They are further away from services. They are more likely not to have close neighbors. They need someone they can depend on," said Hughes.

In addition to its everyday services, the center will help you find where shelters and water are available in the event of a natural disaster.

Comptroller Franchot is committed to improving all corners of our state.

Even in difficult economic times, it is never too early – or too late - to begin saving for your children's higher education. The investments you make today will help provide your children with the skills they need to compete and succeed in the knowledge-based economy of tomorrow.

I'm pleased to remind you that enrollment is now open for the Maryland Prepaid College Trust, which is administered by the College Savings Plans of Maryland. Enrollment opened on December 1 and will remain open until April 5.

The Maryland Prepaid College Trust is a golden opportunity for families who are concerned with the ever-rising costs of higher education. This program – which is backed by a Maryland legislative guarantee -- allows you to lock in tomorrow's tuition at today's prices. The funds may be used at almost any college in the United States, and those who enroll in this program can receive a Maryland state income deduction of up to $2,500 per account. The tuition plans are flexible, and payments can be made affordable by buying anywhere from one semester up to five years worth of tuition.

I hope you'll visit collegesavingsmd.org today and find out how you and your family can enroll in either the Prepaid College Trust or the College Investment Plan, which is open for enrollment throughout the year.

VISIT COLLEGESAVINGSMD.ORG AND FIND OUT HOW MARYLAND CAN HELP YOU MAKE COLLEGE AFFORDABLE!

Higher education creates a climate of opportunity for all Marylanders, and the College Savings Plans of Maryland are making the dream of a college diploma more attainable for families throughout our state. I hope you'll learn more about the program, open an account, and spread the word to your friends and family.

I hope you'll learn more about the Prepaid College Trust and the College Investment Plan and signup today!

VISIT COLLEGESAVINGSMD.ORG AND FIND OUT HOW MARYLAND CAN HELP YOU MAKE COLLEGE AFFORDABLE!

Thanks so much for your time.

After reading Laura Smitherman's piece on Comptroller Peter Franchot's campaign to make a financial literacy course a requirement for graduation, the Washington Post declares that Franchot's campaign is "gaining traction."

Franchot is seeking to require high school students to take a financial literacy course in order to graduate.

Today, Comptroller Peter Franchot told the Baltimore Sun's Laura Smitherman that the time may be right for making financial literacy training a requirement for high school graduation. The Sun:

"Given the hard economic times and all the economic anxiety out there due to people making bad mistakes with debt and credit, I think the timing may be right for a successful initiative," Franchot said. "We need to make sure our young people are prepared with the basic building blocks of financial prosperity."

In today's economic environment, knowledge is power. Giving our young people financial literacy training will help protect our kids from making mistakes with debt and credit. Now is the time to pass this initiative to protect our kids and our economy.

From our families to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.

- Peter and the Franchot.com Team!