For Immediate Release   

January 25, 2012                                                                                                 

Contact:  Delegate Michael Hough 

michael@delegatehough.com

O- 410-841-3472 

New Poll Shows 96% of Marylanders Say they Pay Enough in Taxes

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, a group of Freshman Republican House members released the findings of a [...]]]>

For Immediate Release   

January 25, 2012                                                                                                 

Contact:  Delegate Michael Hough 

michael@delegatehough.com

O- 410-841-3472 

New Poll Shows 96% of Marylanders Say they Pay Enough in Taxes

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, a group of Freshman Republican House members released the findings of a recent statewide Gonzales poll showing that statewide an astonishing 96% of Marylanders, both Republicans and Democrats, believe they pay too much (66%) or the right amount of taxes (33%) – with only 4% feeling they pay too little in taxes. 

In a press conference with other GOP freshman today, Delegate Michael Hough (Frederick & Washington Counties) said, “These results clearly show that Marylanders are already overburdened by the constant tax increases from the leadership in Annapolis.  For far too long, the answer to every problem in Maryland has been for politicians in Annapolis to dig deeper into taxpayer.”  Many in attendance at the State House wore pins saying, “We are the 96%,” representing the number of Marylanders who feel they already pay enough taxes.

Delegate Kelly Schulz (Frederick County) reflected on the Western Maryland results, “71% of those polled in the western counties believe that we are taxed too much. Maryland ranks in the top five states in cost of living and business taxes.  Clearly, when we look to job creation in our state, we need to understand that businesses and families have choices.  In Western Maryland, the reality is that businesses have a valid option to move to Virginia, West Virginia or Pennsylvania – all of whom have lower cost of living in business taxes than Maryland.” 

Delegate Kathy Afzali (Frederick County) noted that the Governor’s plan includes under the radar changes that will cost the average Marylander over a thousand dollars a year.  “Taking away the mortgage deduction is a disincentive to purchase a home.  We already have some of the highest closing costs in the nation and now we are going to tell all the young couples, “Oh, and by the way, unlike all of our neighboring states, we are going to eliminate the mortgage deduction.  Please don’t buy a house.  Just rent for the rest of your lives!” 

Also, Delegate Neil Parrott (Washington County), talked about one of the new taxes being proposed, “The App Tax – there is a new 6% Tax proposed on itunes, songs and Apps for your cell phones.  I wonder if they will have to come out with an app for that tax!” 

The 15 House GOP Freshman have solidly unified behind this message.  “Our fragile economy simply cannot recover under a tax and spend policy.  We will not enable the tax-aholics in the House of Delegates to continue down this road.  The people of Maryland have spoken – Just say NO to new taxes.”

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 The Governor’s claim of $7.5 billion in cuts is a fallacy. Maryland’s budget has grown by $1 billion or more every year he has been in office, 2013   is no exception.
 
 The $311 million in “new revenue” contained in this budget [...]]]> Governor Martin O’Malley introduced his budget today, here are some highlights:

 The Governor’s claim of $7.5 billion in cuts is a fallacy. Maryland’s budget has grown by $1 billion or more every year he has been in office, 2013   is no exception.
 
 The $311 million in “new revenue” contained in this budget is only a preview of things to come. This budget does not include the massive increase in the flush tax. It does not include the increase in the gas tax and other miscellaneous tax and fee increases that will be a part of the overall transportation package. All of these other taxes will come in addition to what is in the budget.
 
Some of the highlights in the $311 million of new include:
               – Capping income tax deductions and phasing out personal exemptions for those making $100K or more.
               – Requiring the collection of sales tax on Internet purchases.
               – Increasing the tax on smokeless tobacco

 This budget continues the practice of stealing money from dedicated funds and back-filling those funds with debt. It’s like paying for your groceries and utilities with a credit card – this is no way to run a household and no way to run a state.
 
 For all the Administration’s grandstanding about job creation, this budget takes aim at the driving force behind our economy: small businesses. From going after coin dealers to phasing out income tax deductions this budget makes it more difficult for Maryland’s small businesses to survive.
 
Forget the millionaires; the O’Malley Administration is taking aim at 500,000 of Maryland’s “thousandaires”! This budget has redefined what “wealthy” is in our state to include those making even $100,000 a year and begins to phase out their income tax deductions such as their mortgages and business expenses.
 
This budget doesn’t “share” it shifts 50% of the burden of teacher pensions to the counties and uses several one-time sweeteners to “mitigate” the impact. Once those sweeteners expire many of our citizens will be left with the sour taste of local tax increases on top of a massive state tax burden.
 
Bottom line: This budget grows government and increases taxes at a time when we should be doing the opposite. The budget is balanced on the backs of the middle class and small businesses at a time when we should be looking for ways to make them thrive. Most disturbing is that this budget is only a precursor of the massive tax increases to come.

Sadly, too often individuals charged with serious crimes, like Mr. Sandusky, walk [...]]]> The fact that former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was released on an unsecured bond, given that he is charged with 40 counts of sexually assaulting children, is outrageous (“For Penn State’s Mike McQueary, questions and a leave,” Web, Nov. 11).

Sadly, too often individuals charged with serious crimes, like Mr. Sandusky, walk out of jail and almost no precautions are taken to ensure they return for their trial. Mr. Sandusky was released on an unsecured bond, meaning he did not pay a deposit to the court or a bail bond agent. He simply gave authorities his word that he would return for trial and is only required to pay if he fails to reappear. Given the shameful acts he is accused of, the public is rightly outraged at his get-out-of-jail-free pass.

If Mr. Sandusky does flee it, would not be the first time a high-profile sex offender ran away. The most famous case is that of filmmaker Roman Polanski, who in 1977 fled to Paris to avoid sentencing in his assault of a 13-year-old girl. Also similar to Mr. Sandusky’s situation: Just weeks ago a man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl walked out of jail in Johnsburg, N.Y., without paying any bail.

The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits “excessive bail,” which is generally interpreted to mean that arrested individuals are given the opportunity to post bail. What this amendment does not say is dangerous sex offenders and criminals should be allowed to walk out of jail without paying anything.

We need to change our state laws so individuals who are accused of violent crimes are not allowed to leave jail on an unsecured bond. A secure bond would provide the added layer of protection of having a bounty hunter, in addition to the police, searching for those who flee. Georgia and New Jersey have already enacted legislation to restrict alleged offenders like Mr. Sandusky from being eligible for free bail.

We are currently failing to protect our communities and failing to ensure that justice is served to those who prey on innocent children.

STATE REP. MICHAEL HOUGH

Maryland District 3B

Brunswick, Md.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/21/make-sex-assault-suspects-pay/print/