Showing posts with label MD State Govt. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Homeowners must apply for property-tax credit or lose it by Jamie Smith Hopkins, The Baltimore Sun

Homeowners must apply for property-tax credit or lose it

State launches online feature to show which owners are set

By Jamie Smith Hopkins, The Baltimore Sun April 3, 2012

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-homestead-application-feature-20120402,0,3243613.story

(Soundtrack editor’s note: Jamie Smith Hopkins of The Baltimore Sun rules – listen to her… I’m just saying…)

Tens of thousands of Maryland homeowners who haven't already applied for the Homestead Property Tax Credit have until the end of the year to do so or lose the often-valuable break.

The deadline was set so long ago — 2007 — that some residents might not remember if they applied. State assessors, hoping to cut down on anxious calls, launched an online feature Monday that notes whether a property's application is in and processed.

"We get such tremendous volume of calls, and one of the unfortunate things is, when people do call … they sometimes get a busy signal," said Robert E. Young, director of the state Department of Assessments and Taxation. "It's so much easier just to go to the website."

The owners of 807,000 homes in the state are getting a break on their property taxes thanks to the homestead credit, which acts as a limit on annual increases. About 150,000 owners haven't sent in their applications, according to the assessments agency.

The statewide homestead program is only for primary residences. It keeps the amount of assessed value a homeowner is taxed on from increasing more than 10 percent a year, with even lower caps in most jurisdictions… http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-homestead-application-feature-20120402,0,3243613.story

Homeowner's experience shows why it's important to pay attention to escrow

Real Estate Wonk: Don't forget to apply for this property-tax break

Top 10 largest homestead tax credits in Baltimore City

Database: Search city tax records for Baltimore properties

Assessment review planned after 2nd error involving consolidated property

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Another day, another security breach.

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Homeowners must apply for property-tax credit or lose it

Yahoo products chief leaves company ahead of reorganization

Eight things you might not know about Social Security

Search on The Baltimore Sun website for Homestead Tax Application: http://www.baltimoresun.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=Homestead+Tax+Application&target=adv_article

Probe of state's veterinarians began with simple question

Assembly OKs bill imposing fines for improper homestead tax credits

Developer Blake Cordish pays city $14,000 after tax error

Mega Millions: What's up with Mirlande Wilson's 'Sweet Swine' cap?

What are your chances of catching a home-run ball today?

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Kevin Dayhoff The Tentacle More Maryland Redistricting Food for Thought

July 6, 2011

More Redistricting Food for Thought

Kevin E. Dayhoff

On the Fourth of July Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley announced a five-member committee to draft a legislative and congressional redistricting plan for the state.

If you missed it, count yourself into a large club. Many keen political observers missed the ‘dog whistle’ announcement and – candidly – it is a bit of a mystery as to just how it was announced. And why in the world announce the make-up the committee on the Fourth of July?... http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4500

See also: Joe Getty’s article “National, State and County Redistricting Coming’ from May 26, 2011 http://tinyurl.com/3pbyvxa and Chris Cavey’s redistricting article in The Tentacle “Power and Money” http://tinyurl.com/3csu2v7

Kevin Dayhoff The Tentacle More Maryland Redistricting Food for Thought: http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4500

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Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Maryland Reporter: State employee unions will start collecting fees from non-members

http://marylandreporter.com/ State employee unions will start collecting fees from non-members

July 05, 2011

By Megan Poinski Megan@MarylandReporter.com

http://marylandreporter.com/2011/07/05/state-employee-unions-will-start-collecting-fees-from-non-members/

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/07/maryland-reporter-state-employee-unions.html

Starting this month, all of the state’s employees who are represented by two labor unions will be paying a service fee to the unions, even if they are not members.

The service fees authorized by a 2009 state law range from $161 to $388 a year. They were negotiated as part of the most recent contracts for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance. Both contracts went into effect July 1.

The fees are based on the theory that the unions furnish services that impact all employees. These services include negotiating health benefits and work conditions, or representing workers in disputes with managers. Those who don’t join the union and pay union dues have to pay a fee for that representation.

AFSCME

AFSCME represents 21,000 employees throughout state government, and about 8,500 of them are members of the union.

Sue Esty, associate director of AFSCME Maryland, said that the fee will start coming out of non-members’ paychecks during the first entire pay period in the new fiscal year, which began Friday. Members’ dues are $14.96 a pay period. Most non-members will also have to pay $14.96 a pay period, though non-members who object to the union’s political activities will be paying just $10.80 out of each paycheck. Additionally, non-members who object to paying the union on religious grounds will either have their money donated to a nonprofit, or not have to pay.

AFSCME representatives said that there are still ongoing negotiations that may lower fees for non-members. The new fees are expected to generate over $4 million for the union… http://marylandreporter.com/2011/07/05/state-employee-unions-will-start-collecting-fees-from-non-members/

20110705 MR St emp unions will start colleting fees

State employee unions will start collecting fees from non-members

July 05, 2011

Starting this month, all of the state’s employees who are represented by two labor unions will be paying a service fee to the unions, even if they are not members. The service fees authorized by a 2009 state law range from $161 to $388 a year, and will bring in over $4 million for the unions. Continue Reading...

News 0 Comments and 7 Reactions

Audit finds ethics violations and contracting problems at highway agency

July 05, 2011

Some State Highway Administration employees violated ethics rules, failed to fully review contract bids and shifted government funds among contracts without authorization, according to an investigation by legislative auditors released Friday. Contractors also hired state employees shortly after they had approved contracts for the companies. Continue Reading...

Audits and Accountability, News 0 Comments and 2 Reactions

DREAM Act opponents declare first victory

July 01, 2011

Opponents of the Maryland DREAM Act say they have collected more than twice the number of petition signatures needed to put the controversial new law on the 2012 general election ballot. Continue Reading...

Hot Topics, Illegal Immigrants, News 1 Comment and 3 Reactions

State Roundup, July 5, 2011

Audit of SHA turns up potential ethics violations, findings turned over to the Attorney General; state employee union to collect dues from non-payers; O’Malley names five to state redistricting panel, which meets tomorrow; 30 wineries now signed up for direct shipments; Cardin greens up over EPA’s regulation of pesticides; Wargotz mulls run against Cardin; more join chorus asking Leslie Johnson to resign; some consider running for her seat; and former Del. David Boschert dies at 63.

July 2011, State Roundup Comments (0)

State Roundup, July 1, 2011

Sen. Kittleman says Maryland Republicans can learn from New York to help pass gay marriage law; Anti-DREAM Act petitioners hit 100,000 signatures, state Board of Elections to update signature certification online; businesses continue to express concern over implementation of new booze tax hike while health advocates praise the tax; Leslie Johnson pleads guilty in FBI corruption probe, plans to stay on Prince George’s Council till her sentencing in the fall, and long-time reporter Sun reporter and columnist Larry Carson says farewell with a story on Howard County Democrats organizing for Obama.

July 2011, State Roundup Comments (2)

State Roundup, June 30, 2011

Retailers scramble to get ready for the new alcohol tax hike; allowing wine shipping among other new laws to take effect tomorrow; DREAM Act won’t be among them however; Ruppersberger backs merger of AT&T and T-Mobile; and Anne Arundel government, schools split on gay partner benefits.