SEN. PIPKIN & DEL. SMIGIEL – "JUST SAY NO TO 10% TAX INCREASE – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"

May 19, 2008




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SEN. PIPKIN & DEL. SMIGIEL – "JUST SAY NO TO 10% TAX INCREASE – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"

Senator E. J. Pipkin and Delegate Michael Smigiel, Republicans who represent the Upper Shore District 36, strongly rejected a 10% Cecil County property tax increase, declaring "No to the increase – enough is enough!" The county has increased the property tax for the past 12 consecutive years.

Pipkin and Smigiel will introduce legislation to lower taxes.

"After the approval of the highest tax increase in Maryland history in the November Special Session, which Delegate Smigiel and I fought against, it looks like Cecil County wants to climb onboard the tax-the-people-more bandwagon. A double-digit tax increase during a time of economic recession and soaring gas, electric and food prices is as merciless as it is obscene."

The public outrage over this ill-conceived increase was reflected at Tuesday's hearing. County residents protested. Delegate Smigiel pointed out, "Their protests were ignored."

"In short," said Pipkin, "it appears that as soon as the taxes are increased…the county spends the revenue… then, the county spends revenue it doesn't have… then the county complains about falling revenue… and seeks another tax increase." Smigiel called the process "the vicious cycle that keeps government's greedy hands in the citizens' pockets."

Pipkin and Smigiel, who both reside in Cecil County, urged their fellow county citizens to protest the tax grab when the proposed county budget will be voted on by the commissioners at the 7 p.m. meeting May 20 at the Charlestown Fire Hall.