Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Council approves alternative to 'Frankenstein' PG tax cap Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 15:01:10 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN \HD Council approves alternative to 'Frankenstein' PG tax cap \BY Jim Keary \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES One week before voters take up a property-tax limit at the polls, the Prince George's County Council yesterday approved its own tax cap as an alternative to the ballot measure. The council-backed measure would give homeowners a 5 percent property-tax credit in next year's tax bill and put a proposal on the 1994 ballot to limit increases in residential property taxes to 5 percent a year. County Executive Parris Glendening offered the plan as an alternative to what he once called the "Frankenstein monster" on the ballot: Question D, the tax-limiting initiative. That measure would limit the growth of all property-tax collections to 5 percent a year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Opponents have said the initiative is flawed because it does not allow for growth in the property-tax base and will cripple tax collections even though the need for county services will continue to grow. They also say businesses will benefit more from it than homeowners will. County officials tout Mr. Glendening's proposal as one that will allow protection for homeowners while allowing the county tax base to grow. "It's a true measure that will hold homeowner taxes down," said Tim Ayers, a spokesman for Mr. Glendening. "We think it's good for the county." But supporters of the initiative say Mr. Glendening's plan is only aimed at draining support from their proposal and that it will be forgotten after Election Day. Judy Robinson, chairman of Prince George's Citizens for Tax Reform and Term Limitation, said the council's package does not do enough to control spending. She also said the initiative would not choke growth in the county as opponents claim. "We didn't cut you off. We only wanted to slow you down a little bit," Mrs. Robinson said. But officials with the county's firefighters union took the opportunity of yesterday's hearing on Mr. Glendening's plan to attack both proposals. Ron Milor, president of Prince George's County Professional Firefighters Local 1619, said both measures would keep the county from spending on needed fire and rescue services. "It seems to be a choice between a fast death by electrocution or a slow death by starvation. I recommend neither," Mr. Milor said. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM