The saga of whether Wicomico County will come up with enough money to pay for a new Bennett Middle School continues. The County Council recently declined to make a commitment to raise taxes to fund this school before seeing the county executive's budget. For those angry at council members for being cautious about county finances, a more proper target for your vitriol would be our state's policymakers.
Wicomico County taxpayers already bear a heavy burden. While the county's property tax rate is among the lowest in the state, the county income tax is among the highest. But that's not the whole picture. The current state tax regime already imposes significant income, sales and excise taxes on us, as well as levying a .112 percent property tax. The heavy burden of state taxes leaves the county with fewer options to raise revenue than if Maryland were a low-tax state.
The spending policies of the state don't help, either. When tax revenue declined in the past few years, the state took money from funds that were supposed to go to counties to pay for roads, education and law enforcement.
This year Gov. Martin O'Malley is proposing to shift payment of teacher pensions onto counties, something that will cost Wicomico taxpayers millions of dollars every year. He also wants to raise the income tax and expand the sales tax.
If the state were more sensible with its spending, the county would have seen less revenue disappear in the past few years. If the state's tax burden were not so high, the county would have other options to raise revenue without overburdening the county's taxpayers.
One of the key architects of these failed fiscal policies in Annapolis is Wicomico's own Delegate Norm Conway. As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, he is responsible for the spending bills considered by the House of Delegates. Unfortunately, he has failed to use his powerful position to support spending and tax policies that would have alleviated the pressures currently faced by the County Council.
I doubt anyone in the county is opposed to building a new Bennett Middle School. The sad condition of the current building speaks for itself. The real question is how the county should pay for this school. The caution displayed by the County Council during this process is a sensible reaction to the fiscal mismanagement and high tax policies originating in Annapolis.
Marc Kilmer of Salisbury is a senior fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a public policy think tank based in Rockville, Md.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
22 comments:
One could not have explained it any better than what has been done in this post.
I absolutely agree with your analysis, and its about time someone has been able to put these issues into their proper perspective.
To me whoever let the school get in that much disrepair should be fired!There are schools in Del. built in the 30s in better shape.
The weight room equipment at JMB cost over $165,000, and the teacher who helped design it and has the skills to run it was transferred to teach middle school p.e. It was done in a way that the principal can deny having anything to do with the involuntary transfer so the parents won't demand accountability from him. Underhanded and illegal way to treat staff was concocted and a ridiculous waste of taxpayers money on equipment that isn't being used properly is being kept quiet. Business as usual.
Anonymous said...
To me whoever let the school get in that much disrepair should be fired!There are schools in Del. built in the 30s in better shape.
January 22, 2012 2:31 PM
I agree. The pictures posted on the Daily Rags site about BMS's state of disrepair only proves that WCBOE employees and staff are negligent in maintaining government property. That alleged picture of "mold" on the windows should cause the parents to become outraged and someone should be charged with abuse. Who let the school get in that condition. Who is so lazy they couldn't take soap and water with a little bleach to clean those windows. Who is so lazy they can't by paint and keep everything painted in those schools.
bms hallway pic in the daily pravda today. paint the lockers a lighter color; paint above the lockers the same color and update the lighting. duh...
thanks for explaining the state/county tax issue. easy to understand. shame on conway and o'malley.
since we are in the mess now; thank you for the adults on the county council for "looking out for us" and making wise decisions.
Anonymous said...
bms hallway pic in the daily pravda today. paint the lockers a lighter color; paint above the lockers the same color and update the lighting. duh...
January 22, 2012 4:01 PM
Speaking of picture I guess it's the county council's and tax payer's fault the trash is on the floor in the hall way.
I am a lifelong resident of Wicomico County and all of my kids are now grown and out of the school system.
In light of the schoolteachers pensions being placed on the backs of Wicomico's taxpayers - I'll dare the teachers and administrators to demand a new school. Look - this County Council did exactly what the voters elected them to do - and that is represent the majority. It is not - I repeat - it is not in the best interest of our taxpaying public to incur more debt especially in times like these. Especially not with a 3.8 million dollar 'ball & chain' is being placed around their necks.
As a parent - I'm appauled at the attitudes of the teachers, administrators, and county officials who have turned a fools-eyed face to reality. It is high time to send these teachers, administrators and especially the Superintendent to the unemployement office ASAP.
If 3.8 million dollars is a small hole, then I do not see how the Wicomico County Council could possibly consider building a new school - be it high school,junior high or elementary. How much more is going to be placed onto Wicomico.
Surely - this pension situation has got to be awakening localities throughout all of Maryland. I firmly believe that the entire teacher system and educational establishment should be shut down completely. It is the ruination of our established way of life.
3:17 I agree. Why build them a new school if this is how they take care of what they have.
There are many issues. The budget is only one. A brand of leadership that involves little truth telling to the public and to the Board needs to end. When questions can't be ducked or postponed, the falsehoods flow freely. It's amazing how often lies are told even when the public knows the truth. There are no consequences though.
NO money no school
Staged pictures are as bad as photo shopped pictures. The people that are charged with maintaining this school have been ordered by their bosses to let it go and only fix life safety issues. This has been in place for a couple of years so the board can make their point that a new school is needed. The new site that has been purchased to build the new school on is some of the lowest land in the county water stands on it most of the winter. The seller of the property came out like a rose just about like the Civic Center parking lot. This council should be commended for not jumping off the cliff and moving forward with this project. Pollitt and Fredrickson as well as the B.O.E. Knew good and well the county was gonna get slammed with the pension deal thats why they pushed so hard to get the council to move on this. They have tried to sell this pack of lies so long that now it's finally catching up with them.
I can't really say how much of what the BOE says is true and how much is false. However, when they are so slow about giving out numbers or other information it gives the impression they have something to hide. One applicable quote that comes to mind, "Perception is reality."
I attended Randallstown Elementary School between 1957 and 1963. In 1957 the school was 56 years old and in terrible condition. The roof leaked, no AC, heat not always reliable and floor tiles peeling up. Guess what, we all got an excellent education despite the condition of the building. Your education is not about the building, it is about having teachers who care and students who learn in spite of some adversity, (which helps teach perseverance).
Oh, one other thing, that building is now going on 111 years old and is still being used. It has been remodeled at some point since 1963, you can see the building on Google Earth. They certainly knew how to build them in 1901!
Your earlier commenter is correct, those at the BOE who let BMS become so run down should be held accountable (and I don't mean the janitorial staff!)
Don't say I am not entitled to comment because I do not live in Wicomico County, that $42MM in state funds is would be paid by all of us. The spending has got to be reigned in, we are broke people, don't you get it?
Ahh, Maryland. A perfect example of a one party state.
Conway is a sleazy, partisan liberal and exemplfies what is politically wrong with Maryland.
And until the voters get a "belly full of him" he will continue to manipulate and contribute to an expanding state government at the cost of our local Counties.
Conway sucked off the WBOE teet for decades while working p/t and in Annapolis too. two retirements. he brought in money to county for years. he always gained personally. should've been gone 30 years ago.
8:08
I agree. What about the hype about the four day week? That is not permitted in Maryland due to state law so why scare the public? That's more than just being slow to respond, that's being deceitful. Why tolerate someone who would do that?
The board stated they wanted to consider closing a school to save money. Why not close Bennet Middle, spread the students and staff out through the 4 other county schools andbe done with this whole mess? Build a new school when the money is in the budget.
There shouldn't be a new school built until they're willing to do maintenance on the buildings, period. Lack of maintenance and upkeep is why this school is in such bad shape.
We've got people working on teams in these schools who are just milking the system and could care less whether the work gets done or not, as long as they have a paycheck.
This needs to change! Especially in these times. You're not willing to go the extra mile to make sure the job is done right, well guess what, you just found the unemployment line!
Get rid of these people, NOW!
There are people out and about who are skilled to do these jobs and would LOVE to have these jobs. Give the jobs to those who are WILLING and stop coddling those who have been around for years, just because they have!
@8:17 you are exactly right!
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