Could we settle on at least making it friendly to the middle class instead of actively running them off? https://montgomeryplanning.org/blog-design/2024/03/repositioning-montgomery-county-for-prosperity-part-2-montgomery-countys-income-shifts-in-regional-and-national-contexts/?fbclid=IwAR15wG53m4cs7Q4FU1QSxJx5wp3RmeKsmfAr2JGfccNUKfP5Qj8coZcMnGs_aem_AVuvHLLDYuekxXbd-A_f-JDn--9X6AX-MJoCG_TINpOpsqmgNOYBgha0EOydlO3Vx5E |
Moco is already wildly diverse economically. I'm not sure why you think it's only an Upper Class county. Have you been to the Northern part of the county?? |
Why is it bad to WANT to attract "upper class" residents? That's good for everyone. Increases revenue on multiple fronts and maintains property values |
We could have policies that attract the middle class, but our elected officials have focused on below market rate affordable housing at the expense of housing the middle class. The 15 percent MPDU requirement makes some projects infeasible and drives up rents at others. None of the county’s policies are geared toward the middle class. Housing policies favor lower income levels, the county council treats the middle class as its piggy bank, and the county’s job market is terrible. |
Not necessarily. It depends on what "upper class" residents want. If they want things that are good for everyone, it's good for everyone. On the other hand, if they want things that are good for "upper class" residents but bad for everyone else, it's not good for everyone. |
Moco is never going to be some conservative, regressive county that is only in it for the rich. The affluent residents are moderate and get that policies need to better everyone. With that, it doesn't mean Moco should not incentivize wealthy residents to stay/move here. You can get a win win situation across the board. It just takes a level headed approach...something the Moco Council Progressive mafia doesn't have. |
"incentivize wealthy residents" how? The County Council has 11 members. 3 of them, at most, are progressive. |
It’s possible that middle class households just prefer to live somewhere else. This county has a lot working against it. |
Not jack up property tax valuations, tax incentives for small business and a removal of the state estate tax to become competitive with VA Easy. |
I didn’t say it was “bad”. I said it is a different policy goal. That being said, how do you define “everyone”? Seems that at a minimum it only includes property owners. |
Oh. Tax cuts. Of course. Always, always tax cuts. Apparently the one and only thing rich people want in life is tax cuts. |
Who wants to pay more taxes? I’m a lifelong Democrat and I know that I will always be slammed with taxes, but In what planet do people actually Enjoy seeing less of their own money only to watch the Federal government waste it? We get crap for the taxes paid. |
And yes, small incentives would greatly benefit the overall good of Moco. I work in wealth management and I’ve had several clients move their residency to VA mainly for the estate tax benefits and lower income rates. High income earners are starting to move in many white collar jobs making high six figure to multiple millions. At some point, if people feel pinched enough they’ll move. That doesn’t benefit anyone - rich, middle class or poor. |
I would expect a lifelong Democrat to understand that taxes is how the government pays for public services. |
How do those public services drop when your most lucrative residents move? Also, wealthier people tend to not "feel" the tangible benefits of their tax dollars. I know I don't. That doesn't mean I don't agree we need tax revenue. I'm not advocating for income tax cuts. Property tax rates should be dropping or remaining level, particularly as accessed values have jumped a lot. Small Businesses ALWAYS need local tax incentives to grow and remain competitive. The estate tax is an easy fix. It impacts very little people but gives the appearance that Maryland doesn't want to lose wealthy residents to neighboring states. Even DC is more competitive on the tax side! |