Getting rare to find a fiscal conservative

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Spending is out of control at the national level, Maryland is high with overall taxing and at the local level our county commissioners significantly overpay for the Hayden Farm, and except for Commissioner Larry Jarboe, they want to raise our real estate taxes. And The Enterprise seems to support higher real estate taxes with its May 1 editorial.

We all know that property values reached unrealistic, unsustainable levels in 2006 and now that the price bubble has collapsed with big drops in property values, our real estate taxes going forward are based upon high values that are no longer there.

The county commissioners should adopt the constant yield rate, but Mr. Jarboe is the only commissioner in favor of this. The others dismiss this as not possible without really trying.

Anyone who has worked in government leadership positions knows how the game is played. Department heads ask for much more than they need or even expect to get, knowing that there will be cuts to budgets. As in any bureaucracy, including county government and the school system, there are always areas for consolidations, cuts and improved efficiencies; but if the commissioners don't seriously look for savings they won't find them. It is easier to just raise our taxes and continue to grow government.

Urge the other commissioners to join Mr. Jarboe in looking for savings to allow the constant yield rate. Commissioners Francis Jack Russell and Kenny Dement will be up for re-election next year, so maybe they will listen. Otherwise, vote in fiscal conservatives. Government cannot be all things to all people, unless it overburdens the taxpayers.

Joe Wible Sr., Leonardtown