Taxes & Happening in Prince George’s County

Maryland is going to tax itself into irrelevance, Bowie man charged with raping 89 year old, Bill would post financial disclosure statements online, Former anti-slots lobbyist is now lobbyist FOR Prince George’s County slots

The Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation proposed by Prince George’s County and Montgomery County delegates that would place a 6% sales tax on professional services firms.  Sponsored by Delegates Sheila Ellis Hixson (D-Dist 20) of Silver Spring and James W. Gilchrist (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville, House Bill 1051 is in the House Ways and Means Committee. 
As a person with a business looking to expand in Maryland, I am completely opposed to this as is the Washington Business Journal.  Maryland has got to find a better way to raise revenue. 

• Washington Business Journal article HERE
• Gazette article HERE

Legislation in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, if passed and enacted, would post financial disclosure statements of 12,000 to 14,000 state employees PLUS those of legislators online.  State Senator Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery) sponsored the legislation, slated to go live in 2015.  State employees involved in policy making and procurement, and local constitutional officers such as sheriffs would be affected.  Wonder if that will deter applicants?

• You can thank State Senator Ulysses Currie for this.

Lamont Stafford, 38 years old, of Bowie was found on top of an 89 year nursing home patient.  He is charged with 2nd degree rape.  Stafford told the nursing home director that he “had to have sex.” He introduced himself to police as Jesus Christ.

• Lamont needs to be in another kind of hospital

Former anti-slots lobbyist W. Minor Carter has registered as a contract lobbyist for the Peterson Cos. in their effort to build a billion dollar casino to Prince George’s County.  Carpenter says he doesn’t see any conflict in his past stance against bringing casinos to Maryland. 

• His nose is growing.