There will be no tax hikes in the $4.1 billion budget unveiled by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker on Wednesday.
Baker celebrated the budget as a sign of the county’s progress since he took office seven years ago.
“Our financial situation in Prince George’s County is the best that it’s ever been,” Baker said. “We are not just on the right path; we are well-positioned for the future.”
Even though the budget does not raise property taxes, some homeowners could wind up paying around $50 more in taxes because property values, and assessments, are rising.
Baker contrasted the current economic situation in the county to the first budget he unveiled when the county was dealing with high foreclosure rates, high unemployment and what he said was “over dependency on residential taxes.”
“By creating thousands of jobs, we are now No. 1 in the state in job creation, and we have maintained that for four quarters in a row,” Baker said.
Baker said the proposed budget — a 5.5 percent increase over the 2018 budget — would continue to grow the county’s economy and improve the schools.
Baker is proposing a 3.7 percent increase in education spending and promises significant investments in school construction. Baker conceded that critics will find fault with the county, and he did not mention the ongoing scandal in the county public school system, which is under state monitoring over grade manipulation.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Dick Uliano over at WTOP