Have you noticed your Prince George's County property tax bill rising in recent years? Notice the new item marked "Supplemental Education" which adds some 4% to your bill that wasn't there before. Since 2016, this property tax rate increase exceeds the tax cap and voter referendum requirement set in 1978 by County Charter 812 and 813, known as TRIM.
Since 2016, PG Citizens has raised over $2,000 from concerned citizens in the county to help pay legal fees for a law suit of two county homeowners, Fred Price and James Wass, challenging the county's actions to raise property tax rates without prior approval of voters, such as required by the TRIM provision of the county charter. On December 13, 2017, Circuit Court Judge Dawson of the PG Circuit Court, heard arguments on this suit in Upper Marlboro by the attorney for the home owners, Bruce Johnson, Esq. and the county, represented by 4 different attorneys.
At the hearing, Judge Dawson heard arguments from the county attorneys that the rate increase was justified by the 2012 Senate "Education" Bill 848 which sought to override the TRIM provision because it was necessary to meet "maintenance of effort" under state law. In response, Attorney Johnson argued that the county is using the tax rate increase to pay for non-education purposes. And, in addition, the amount of increased taxing is MORE than what is required to meet the minimal level of funding under state law.
Following the hearing, in January 2018, Judge Dawson issued a brief order that Senate Bill 848 that held for the county government, stating that the tax increase precluded the application of any county limitations or referendum requirements under TRIM. The homeowner plaintiffs are therefore now planning an appeal to a higher Maryland court to overturn this lower court order. PG Citizens is therefore continuing to raise funds for this appeal to restore the integrity and purpose of TRIM to provide reasonable accountable to citizens, as well as provide necessary restraint to the ill-considered and thoughtless behavior of elected officials who raise taxes without due regard to the effect on the well-being of ALL citizens in the county.
Tax law suit APPEAL
Donate! Please help PG Citizens to raise funds to support the on-going appeal of the citizens law suit, plaintiff homeowners, Jim Wass and Fred Price, to hold elected officials accountable to the rule of law, good order, and restraint of spending that is vital for good government in our county.