SEIGEL REPORT--
Pipkin Declines to Sign Pledge; Queen Anne's Tax Activists Likely to Persevere in Tax Fight
By Lyle Seigel
December 22, 2004

State Senator E.J. Pipkin, Talbot County Taxpayers chief Emery Hertelendy, and Queen Anne's County Commissioner Benjamin F. Cassell weighed in on tax issues before the Queen Anne's County Taxpayers Association, December 15.

Over 50 members of the taxpayer group filled the room at the Kent Island Public Library in this first meeting of the County taxpayers since the County commissioners rejected a proposed 5% property tax cap by a 3-2 vote in November.

The Queen Anne's taxpayers group had led the fight for the cap and, for a time, believed that the vote of county commissioners would go their way.

First to speak at the taxpayer meeting was Republican State Senator E. J. Pipkin, who recently failed in his bid to defeat long-time Maryland Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski. Dressed in a tuxedo, Pipkin discussed the importance of keeping taxes under control.

During the brief question and answer session, Pipkin was asked to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Pipkin refused, however, explaining that, in his view, many legislators sign the pledge but they continue to vote for measures that increase taxes, and then are not held accountable.*

Veteran taxpayer advocate Emery Hertelendy, President of the Talbot County Taxpayers Association, recounted decades of success achieved by theTalbot County and Wicomico County Taxpayers Associations in halting the rise of taxes and property assessments. Hertelendy, who has worked with both taxpayer groups, described methods and strategies to fight tax increases. He distributed copies of the Talbot County Taxpayers monthly newsletter.

One of Hertelendy's mechanisms is to keep tax increases indexed to inflation and population growth, similar to the proposed Maryland Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Queen Anne's County Commissioner Benjamin F. Cassell, Jr., who recently voted in favor of the failed tax cap, compared his spending philosophy to a home budget: If you don't have the money, you can't buy the item.

Also attending the meeting, standing by the exit door, was Queen Anne's County Commissioner Michael S. Koval.

Koval is notable for having signed the petition to cap the Queen Anne's County property tax increase at 5%, and then at the last minute voting against it. This flip-flop killed the measure, 3-2. Joining Koval in voting against the cap were commissioners Joseph F. Cupani and R. O. "Nemo" Niedomanski.

Koval described himself as a "nice guy" for showing up at this meeting, given his recent vote on the cap. At the November meeting, Koval complained that in previous years, when he attempted to lower taxes and fees, he received little or no support from citizens of Queen Anne's County.

Yet Koval missed a great opportunity last month to be the deciding vote to cap property tax increases at 5%.

Last to speak was Dick Smith of the Queen Anne's County Taxpayers Association. Dick explained how the "constant rate" method of property assessment and taxation works. The Queen Anne's County Taxpayers Association is considering a constant rate initiative to slow the astronomical growth of property assessments and taxes.

As the meeting concluded, Lyle Seigel gave out five copies of a Maryland Taxpayers Association information kit which emphasized recent MTA efforts to prevent government seizure of private property under the guise of eminent domain. This seized property often ends up being given or sold to developers who reap large profits at the expense of displaced homeowners.

Just before the meeting began, your corrrespondent had the opportunity to greet Queen Anne's County Commissioner Gene M. Ransom, III, as he was leaving the building. Ranson was one of two commissioners to vote in favor of the cap. Commissioner Ransom expressed his continued support for tax-and-spending-control initiatives in Maryland.

Throughout the meeting, the enthusiasm, resilience and determination of the Queen Anne's County Taxpayers Association was clearly evident. One way or the other, Queen Anne's County citizens led by some very dedicated taxpayer and property owner advocates hope to get skyrocketing taxes and assessments under control.