Stone Wary of Redistricting and Tax Increases

As you are probably aware we will be heading to Annapolis for a special session. The session is intended to address the proposed changes to the legislative district for the state of Maryland. The Redistricting Committee has been holding meetings around the state to give citizens the opportunity to offer input.  

Every 10 years, following the national census, the lines are redrawn to reflect the changes in population and provide adequate representation for every community in the state. You may recall during the last redistricting 10 years ago, the Dundalk/Edgemere communities were split so that it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to elect a legislator who lived in our communities. To add insult to injury the plan also put Edgemere and Millers Island across the Patapsco River into Anne Arundel County.

The only bridge we cross is the Back River Bridge and we have always been fine with that. 

It has been reported that more than redistricting will be addressed during the upcoming session. There has been speculation that an attempt will be made to increase a number of taxes. I feel certain that with the recent haggling in Washington and the financial rating being reduced for the USA, that it is almost a certainty that the tax serpent will rear its head.  

I want to assure the residents of our district that I am opposed to any increases in any taxes, fees, etc. I recently spoke out in opposition to the current effort to increase the tolls, etc. I also voted against the recent increase to the alcohol tax during the last session.

In today’s world we have people losing their homes, their jobs, and finding it difficult to feed their families. This is the worst possible time to consider raising anything that will further contribute to these problems. I know that the state will be facing very difficult times, especially since we are very dependent on the federal government as a major employer in the state of Maryland.  

We will need to be more creative in balancing the state budget and not do it on the backs of citizens.

The plan going forward needs to be focused on creating jobs and getting people back to work. When people are working tax revenues increase, they spend money which supports various types of business and fewer people are collecting benefits.  

Employment is the key to most of our problems, including the housing market. When employment increases, entitlements decline. During the last session I sponsored legislation forming a Jobs Task Force for Baltimore County. I have been appointed to this commission and I am hopeful we will be able to offer some constructive recommendations to create and sustain jobs in our area.

Our primary purpose in Annapolis is to best serve our district, county, and state.  In doing so, we depend primarily on the opinions of the people we represent.  If you have a position or question on any issue, please let me know by calling 410-288-5270, writing to me at 6905 Dunmanway, Baltimore, Md. 21222 or by e-mail at norman.stone@senate.state.md.us.