On February 4, 2009, before the Prince George’s House of Delegates (Annapolis, MD) AFSCME Maryland Council 67 leadership and members testified alongside Jack Johnson, County Executive. During a room-filled hearing with standing room only, Johnson expressed that he needed citizen support along with Labor support to pass the Homestead Tax Credit Percentage Bill (PG 414-09). The bill would help the County to fill the $162 million budget gap needed to balance the budget. If passed, this bill would impose a tax increase only on property tax reassessment increases up to 10% and would not go over 10% over a three-year time period. The County Executive stated that the Homestead Tax Credit would raise $16 million in year-one and $37 million in year-two and would be scheduled to “sunset” (end) in 2010.  A total of $53 million is expected to be raised with the institution of this bill.

The County Executive sees this legislation as a means to stopping the possibility of lay-offs and furloughs in the County. “If this Homestead Tax Credit Bill is passed, there will be no lay-offs or furloughs,” proclaimed Johnson. Actually, the County Executive is depending on this bill, a Cell Phone Tax and the Washington Suburban Transit District Bill (MC/PG 116-09) to collectively provide the revenue the County needs to balance the budget.

Members of the Prince George’s Delegation clearly wanted questions answered on the bill and all appeared to understand the need for a solution to this budgetary crisis. The Prince George’s County Council was also represented and after testimony, they committed to convening during the week of February 9, 2009 to gain full support of the bill from the full County Council.

Glenard S. Middleton, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 67 and Vince Canales, President of the Prince George’s County Fraternal Order of Police both testified on behalf of the bill along with members of their perspective Unions. Council 67 leaders and County employees Jewel Dozier (DPW), Thomas Colbert (Prince George’s Co. Health Dept.), Larry Collick (Prince George’s Co. Crossing Guards) and Dennis Landis (Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission [ WSSC]) all testified on behalf of the bill with the hopes of halting all furloughs or lay-offs. Some of them have already been victims of departmental furloughs.

AFSCME Maryland Council 67 is in full support of this bill that will amount to a monetary sacrifice of about $7.50 per month for the citizens. This is a temporary sacrifice that will help to keep the hardworking County employees at work without the need for furloughs or lay-offs.

If you have questions about AFSCME Council 67 and their support of the bill contact Nicole M. Francis, Ed.D., Administrator at nfrancis@afscme67.org.