A controversial new tax for the amount of rain that falls on homes has been imposed by an environmentally-friendly governor.
The ‘storm management fee’ will be enforced in the US state of Maryland after a decree from democrat leader Martin O’Malley.
It was passed by the state legislature last year to raise revenue to comply with an order from the Environmental Protection Agency to clean-up the Chesapeake Bay estuary, according to the MarylandReporter.com
However, critics say the fees impose a financial burden on Marylanders while the state struggles to recover from recession.
They argue that it is unreasonable to expect cash-strapped citizens to pay these fees when they also have to pay more gas taxes, payroll taxes, and income taxes.
Former republican senator candidate Dan Bongino claimed the tax would be calculated ‘through satellite surveillance’.
He also criticised ‘out of touch political aristocrats in Maryland will do anything to diminish your economic liberty and starve your wallet while padding theirs’.
Fees will be calculated on the surface area of properties as the theory is that roofs, driveways and carparks create more potential for drainage problems and water contamination.
Councils are supposed to determine how much to charge per square foot, but the fee depends on the size of the building and surrounding paved surfaces.
Montgomery County democrat senator Richard Madaleno said the state could not avoid paying the expense because of deadline from the Environmental Protection Agency.
‘When I look at this amendment, I’m reminded of the saying, “You can pay me now, or you can pay me later”, he said.
Originally Posted On: http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/11/governor-imposes-rain-tax-on-homes-3592504/
It all ends up in the ground no matter what anyone does with it. All a homeowner will do is delay its inevitable course from the sky to the ocean for a little while. These government people don't seem to understand the way water is cycled throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteDear Anthony, Not really. River & stream run off is tremendous...From NY to VA..What doesn't soak in...ends up in The Bay
ReplyDeleteActually it will infiltrate, not 'soak in'...and only if it doesn't first vaporize first. Not all of it will 'end up in the bay'
ReplyDeleteThis should be a runoff tax not a rainfall tax...citizens would gain rebate $ if the create evaporation.
What?! Really?! This is absolutely outrageous! Politicians will find a way to force everybody to just throw up their hands and give up on the so-called American Dream! When will the madness stop???!!!
ReplyDeleteYep, the number 2 asshole in politics!!!!!! We call him the tax king! He's the reason Maryland has gone to shit!!
ReplyDeleteHe raised the gas tax on Everyone in Maryland to pay for Baltimore's subway system. It's like really??
DeleteIf we don't live there why should we suffer for it? Most people like to avoid the place, not just because it's a traffic nightmare but it's also a crime infested shithole!!!! The man is a 100 percent moron ASSHOLE AND CAN STICK HIS TAXES UP HIS ASS! Obuma jr.. has risen!