Issue Position: Taxes

Issue Position

Taxes are way too high in Maryland. According to taxfoundation.org (http://taxfoundation.org/state-tax-climate/maryland) Marylanders have to work until April 28 each year to pay their taxes. Our state and local taxes rank as the seventh highest in the nation. Our business taxes are the tenth worst in the nation. Since 2007 the Maryland budget has increased about 30%. We cannot afford this.

When taxes are increased, it leaves families with less money in their checkbook. Families then cut their spending wherever they can. This leads to less money being spent in the private sector businesses. Then the businesses need to cut jobs to make their ends meet. This leads to higher unemployment, more people needing government services rather than paying into the system. It's a vicious circle.
However, history has taught that lower tax rates actually increase revenue to the state as the families can then spend more, increase money to businesses which can then expand and hire more people, so that they do not require government assistance. This means more people paying into the system.

The other thing that happens when taxes increase is that people change behavior to avoid the tax. For example when the gas tax increased, some people drive less or even buy a new hybrid car if the budget allowed. (FYI it will go up again on Jan 1, 2015 and July 1, 2015 after the election.) Some people will, and are, moving out of state.

Maryland is losing billions of dollars by this migration to lower tax states. I've met people while out campaigning who are concerned that they cannot afford to retire in this state, but their children are here. It's heartbreaking. For more information on this visit http://www.howmoneywalks.com/irs-tax-migration/

We need to thoroughly review the state budget. We need to remove duplicated programs. We need to make this state a lean, highly efficient operating machine.

Remember, vote to Butcher your taxes.

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