House of Delegates Ways and Means Committee Chair Sheila Hixson (D-Takoma Park) has proposed legislation which would allow the Montgomery County Council to override the county charter's limit on raising taxes by a majority of six instead of a supermajority of seven as currently required. County officials, either expressing a keen sense of the political winds or just annoyance at state interference in a county matter, did not immediately warm to the proposal:
No doubt Robin Ficker will soon be riding to the rescue on this one!Hixson's bill doesn't appear to have much support in other corners of the county she represents. Council President Marilyn Praisner (D-Eastern County) said the state shouldn't be tinkering with what is essentially the county's constitution. "I'm always troubled when the legislature involves itself in something where the voters have spoken," Praisner said.
At a hearing on the bill last week, the administration of County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) also submitted a formal opposition paper, saying the measure "would upset the responsible and workable approach enacted by our voters."
