Holding the Line on Taxes

This morning, I spoke to the Harford County Chamber of Commerce about Maryland's economy and business climate. I had a great talk with this bipartisan audience of both large and small employers, and benefited from the pragmatic perspective that they brought to our state's ongoing fiscal challenges.

While I heard optimism about Maryland's long-term economic strength, despite the devastating effects of our recession on employers, I also heard a clear message that the State must not raise taxes while our economy remains in a fragile position. Having heard the same message from business leaders and working families throughout the State, I couldn't agree more.

It is in that spirit that I joined Governor O'Malley and Treasurer Nancy Kopp - my colleagues on the Board of Public Works - in voting at yesterday's meeting to keep state property taxes at their current rate. As elected officials, we must hold the line on taxes, particularly when working families continue to struggle in a tough economy. I also believe that unless we resist the temptation to raise taxes when faced with difficult budget times, we will never achieve the true spending reform that is needed throughout State government, and which will ensure that we have the resources to meet our shared priorities.