Demanding Fiscal Responsibility
So What’s The Problem?
Our county in a collision course with a “perfect storm” of financial catastrophe:
- A current public debt of $942 million ($1200 per person) with that number expected to grow to $1.4 billion by 2014 (nearly a 50% increase in four years).
- A pension system for county employees that is underfunded by at least 12%, and a government who continues to make the poor decisions that got it there.
- Intense cuts at the state level due to a $2 billion budget deficit that will cause us to pick up the tab for programs the State would otherwise pay for.
- Property Tax Assessments are not on par with current home values. The vast majority of us are paying too much in property taxes.
- NEW DEVELOPMENT: A $144 million budget gap equal to 10% of our operating budget. What is their plan to fill the gap? They don’t know.
How Does It Affect Me?
It’s simple actually. Contrary to popular belief, the government, whether at a national, state or local level, is not a money tree. The only way it can pay for its programs, whether necessary or not, is to have revenue. Revenue = Taxes. If they refuse to make necessary cuts, they will have no choice but the raise taxes, but probably not in an election year. Every penny they spend comes out of our pockets.
- Given the budget shortfalls, it’s likely they will be forced to require furlough days for county employees.
- Property Tax Assessments will either remain the same and/or the Council will enact an increase in the actual tax.
- Our County’s pension system will continue to be underfunded. Currently 148 employees are paying for 100 retirees.
How Will Steve Fix It?
Steve will work hard to ensure that every dollar we pay in is used in an efficient and effective way.
- Cut or defer spending on unnecessary projects to reduce the public debt.
- Ensure that the Council focuses on the core functions of county government
- Stop spending allocated to special interest groups, or favoritism in awarding contracts.
- Take away the “credit card” that allows our county government to spend, spend, spend, then stick us with the bill.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Mr. Whisler,
Just a general comment on this page-your section on “How Will Steve Fit It” is way too general. It would be helpful to the public if you were to give an example for your ideas. For instance, under “core functions”…what do you define as core functions for the local government? What are some examples of peripheral functions? Also, can you give examples of what “unnecessary projects” are currently slated for district 1 that you would like to see stopped? As a constituent and resident of Catonsville, I would love to hear more specifics.
Thank you,
Michael Nestor
Michael, thanks so much for visiting our site!
About 80% of our county budget supports core functions like public education, police, firefighters, libraries, etc. I will preserve funding for these core services. In addition, I will preserve funding for other programs that support seniors, parks & recreation, and constituent service efforts performed by county employees in Towson.
I am very concerned about wasteful spending and poor choices associated with PAYGO (pay as you go) projects. I am also very concerned with practices by our County Revenue Authority that has issued contracts with a formal competetive bid process to ensure lower costs and best value to the taxpayers. In some cases, the Revenue Authority has granted public tax dollars to projects that have no public benefit, but certainly benefit key contributors to current politicians in office.
Few people realize that county taxpayers over-funded our government over $2 billion over the past 10 years … and that is after a 48% increase in spending during that same time. The county could have returned the entire $2 billion in the form of lower property taxes, licensing fees, etc and not cut a single county program, job, or service. We simply over-funded the government and politicians used some of these funds to benefit special interest groups that contribute to their campaign coffers.
I hope you consider me for the County Council so we can have checks & balances in county government. Why did we spending over $20 million to purchase 45 apartment complexes in east Baltimore County … then sell the properties to a well-connected contributor for about a $1 million? Why did the revenue authority give $6 million to a well-connected contributor for a private parking garage in Towson?
If you ask me, these examples are not wise uses of our taxes for core functions. Instead, they only serve as paybacks to those who give substantial campaign contributions to elected officials.
I need your vote to help reform Baltimore County, ensure fairness in the county’s contracting processes, and ensure that any surplus revenues are either returned to you in the form of lower taxes or investment in our infrastructure such as schools, streets, and sidewalks.