Proposed Property Tax Increase for Schools?

[Anonymous]

So most of us have heard about the proposed 15% property tax increase that will help improve Prince George's County Schools...what are your feelings about the increase? I am still on the fence. On one hand, I don't want to have to pay out more money for property taxes but, on the other hand, my children attend public schools and I would love to see the state of ALL of the county's schools improve for ALL children.

[Anonymous]

Favor. Rising tide lifts all boats.

[Anonymous]

Also in favor.

[Anonymous]

Also in favor. Better schools reaps many many tangible and intangible benefits to the county as a whole. (think about Bowie- so many retailers, etc. want to be in Bowie- why? Great schools attract more residents, etc. etc. etc. this would be beneficial everywhere in the county).

[Anonymous]

On the fence. I'd love all schools to be great and there is definitely a need for increased capital improvement, but I've seen a lot of wasted purchases here and I worry this will go the same way.

Also I'd like to see more details on how the graduation rate will improve esp. since I've seen students who were counseled to withdraw.

[Anonymous]

No way! We already pay tons in property tax for sub par schools. The county is so corrupt and the school system is administratively bloated. I think the money will just be squandered.

[Anonymous]

Count me in as someone worried about corruption and wasted money too. We pay a very high tax rate, and it is not getting us very far. It is also putting an extra burden on lower-income people in the county.

[Anonymous]

I thought that money from the casino was supposed to help schools, but from where I sit, I've seen NO improvements. I think the 15% hike is going to HURT a lot of homeowners who are already struggling. Why can't the County adjust the budget for some of the other things? Raising taxes is not the solution for every issue. Why not take a look at the other school systems that work and see how their budgets are divided. How much of MC taxes go to schools compared to PG? Surely there is another way than taxing your already over-taxed constituents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought that money from the casino was supposed to help schools, but from where I sit, I've seen NO improvements. I think the 15% hike is going to HURT a lot of homeowners who are already struggling. Why can't the County adjust the budget for some of the other things? Raising taxes is not the solution for every issue. Why not take a look at the other school systems that work and see how their budgets are divided. How much of MC taxes go to schools compared to PG? Surely there is another way than taxing your already over-taxed constituents.

It is my understanding that revenue from the casino will not begin benefitting the schools until it opens.

[Anonymous]

I think it is a great and necessary.

maxwell is proposing to expand access to many specialty programs: Montessori, language immersion, TAG; and also proposing increased funding for the most needed services like parent liasons. Increased funding for full day PreK

All this is going to cost money. As a county we need to pay more than we are paying if we ever expect to have a decent school system.

Montgomery County may not have to pay as high a tax rate, but their property values are so much higher that even a lower tax rate gives their county plenty of money.

[Anonymous]

What has Maxwell done to clean house? Why should this dysfunctional system receive more money without having to give something or win the tax payers trust?

[Anonymous]

My concern is whether the money is truly going to be used for the schools, teachers and most importantly educating the children or will we hear about reallocation of resources later on down the road or under a new administration? Once that 15% increase is approved there will be no going back.

[Anonymous]

No. The budget for schools is already obscene for horrible results. I'm happy to pay more when they can prove to me that my already high taxes can be spent responsibly.

[Anonymous]

Against it. PG already has high property taxes, and it drives a lot of people away.

And I don't think it's the thing that will fix the schools.

Count me in as one who will leave the county if they keep raising the taxes. Adjacent Anne Arundel County has significantly lower taxes. At some point, if PG increases property taxes, it doesn't matter that housing costs less. At least the Anne Arundel County folks can recapture the housing costs when they sell. But when the costs are exorbitant property taxes, you don't recapture it.

I don't think money is the issue anyhow when it comes to the schools. I also don't think the revenue they get is spent well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also in favor. Better schools reaps many many tangible and intangible benefits to the county as a whole. (think about Bowie- so many retailers, etc. want to be in Bowie- why? Great schools attract more residents, etc. etc. etc. this would be beneficial everywhere in the county).

You mistakenly assume that the increased property taxes will fix the schools. It won't.