Some Good News

It looks like the Hixson/McIntosh bill to circumvent county tax caps may not make it too far:

''If we are going to have charter government, we need to let the charters work," said Del. Anne Healey (D-Dist. 22) of Hyattsville, Hixson's vice chairwoman...

...''There are people who think Prince George's County should not have TRIM [a 1978 voter-imposed tax cap] and they are trying to get it repealed," Healey said.

Prince George's County voters in 1996 rejected a proposal to let a two-thirds vote by the council lift the cap and added a provision that requires most tax or fee increases to be approved by voters.

''The voters of Prince George's County have been very clear they want a property tax cap and that should be respected," Healy said...

...''I would not like to see Prince George's County be a part of that legislation," said Del. Carolyn J.B. Howard (D-Dist. 24) of Mitchellville and a member of Ways and Means. ''Our voters have expressed their opinion on that matter three times, and I'm going to support the voters."

Dels. Haddaway(R) and Cane(D) from the Eastern Shore are also quoted in the story as not being particularly tickled with the idea.

This is fantastic news, particularly given the tax-hiking mentality that seems to be running amok here in 2007.