Md. Gov. Makes Moves To Repeal Rain Tax
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)--Just say the phrase "rain tax" and people across the state of Maryland will have very passionate opinions. Now Governor Hogan makes a move to wash that tax down the drain.
Pat Warren has the details.
The repeal of the rain tax which was adopted to protect the bay takes counties out from under the umbrella of the state.
"Our bill will repeal the mandate that a county or municipality must establish and annually collect a storm water remediation fee," said Hogan.
The rain tax is the storm water management fee imposed in 2012 to meet the requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act, to reduce pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland is the only state to tax property owners in order to meet the requirements.
"I know myself I was blindsided. When I opened the tax bill I could not believe the numbers," said one property owner.
Small business property owners like Ron Gates especially took a hit.
"We've seen an 86% increase on the first one, 60 on the second one this is an improved property it went up 42%. You can see on this one alone it was a $3,300 fee just on the rain water," said Gates.
The repeal if it passes doesn't mean the tax automatically goes away.
"I've heard that if we don't force these counties to raise taxes, the bay will be polluted. It's absolute nonsense," Hogan said.
It will be up to the counties to decide on their own.
"So guess what the counties are going to have to pay for by themselves. The counties are supported by the tax payers," said Senate President Mike Miller.
Which is what they were doing before the state got involved.
Now the bill is expected to meet opposition but it does have 60 co-sponsors.
WJZ contacted the mayor and several county executives who say they will have conversations with their respective councils to decide what to do should the repeal pass the general assembly.
