Clarke Votes Against Property Tax Cut
Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke said she doesn't oppose the tax cut but doubts the timing.
Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke was the lone vote against moving a bill forward for final approval that would cut 20 cents from residents property tax rate in eight years. Despite Clarke’s objection, the City Council approved sending the bill to third and final reader on Monday night. Clarke, a veteran North Baltimore council member, argued against the tax cut, especially at a time when the city’s budget includes closing three firehouses, and when an official budget has not been presented to the council. “My concern [is] of the timing of this tax cut," Clarke said. "Not so much the tax cut itself, but we just talked about a bake sale and sponsorship for firefighters. Right now we have not seen a budget and in fact there isn’t a budget to be …
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Baltimore Matt
2:03 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
It’s not about 20 cents...it's about 20 cents times the value of your home... E.g. .20 X $200,000=$400. $400 is not chump change. Many homeowners that oppose this tax cut have major tax credits such as the ones on newly built homes, newly renovated homes, and historic homes (Federal Hill, Mt. Vernon, Canton, downtown, and Fells Point) that temporarily shield them from paying full rate. Renters … more ›