Joe Holloway Advocates Tax Cut
Wicomico County Councilman Joe Holloway (R-5) surprised citizens and his fellow council members Tuesday by advocating a reduction in the County’s income tax rate. A detailed proposal probably will not be possible until after County Executive Rick Pollitt introduces his proposed budget for FY 2009. After introduction of the proposed budget Holloway will be able to introduce spending cuts to pay for a tax cut.
Reminding those in council chambers, as well as those of us watching on PAC-14, that county revenues belonged to the taxpayer and not the government, Holloway spoke of several recent events which led to his proposal. “Last year, salaries for county employees rose by over $3.5 million”. The county is proposing to purchase property for a park on the West Side while the county already owns land that was earmarked for a park just a few miles away. What may have been the smallest expenditure in dollars, but the biggest symbol of wasteful government spending, was a pen given to Holloway by the Department of Tourism which cost the taxpayers $23. Interestingly, the Department of Tourism is run by Gary Mackes who also heads the parks department. It was Mackes who originally proposed the purchase of the Davis property on the West Side.
Holloway believes that a tax cut would best serve the county government and the taxpayers of Wicomico County. “If the government has it (money), they’ll spend it. Even if it is on something as unnecessary as an overpriced ink pen. The citizens of Wicomico County are the best judges of how their money should be spent and a tax cut will put some of that money back in their pockets (where it belongs).”
Currently, Wicomico County is approximately $10 million dollars behind in needed road repairs. Myriad other capital improvements are needed throughout the county, yet the current administration is willing to consider park construction and allows a department head to give away expensive souvenirs.
As someone who never supported the revenue cap, and a strong supporter of Rick Pollitt’s, I could never in good conscience advocate a repeal given the recent willingness of county leaders to support the O’Malley tax increase and a lack of willingness to support meaningful fiscal reform. Such reform should include heavy cuts in the administrative budget of the Board of Education and a complete end to foolish spending (i.e. the pens) no matter how small. While I am loathe to advocate additional government spending, perhaps it is time for the County Council to consider the hiring of an internal auditor (which is provided for in the Charter).
cross posted in Salisbury News
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, wicomicopolitics, taxation, fiscalpolicy, RickPollitt, JoeHolloway
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