Tax And Budget

WESTMINSTER -- Del. Richard C. Matthews, a Carroll Republican, congratulated a group of residents last night for starting a taxpayers association."You should be commended for embarking on this very fruitful journey," he said.The Carroll County Taxpayers Association had its first public meeting last night at the County Office Building. Twenty-one people attended."We hope to be a forum for concerned citizens on tax and budget issues in the county and state," President Tom Boyle of Westminster said.

WASHINGTON -- With a critical House vote scheduled this week on President Clinton's tax and budget proposal, he and his congressional allies have launched a major effort to win support.Democratic leaders estimate that they need 30 more votes to pass the bill. In the scramble for support, about 60 key House Democrats have been asked to attend a White House strategy meeting this morning.The vote, now scheduled for Thursday, "could make or break this presidency," said a leadership aide who asked not to be identified.

Greater Bel Air dominates District C, the smallest geographic unit represented on the Harford County Council. Four years ago, the seat was won by Democrat Theresa Pierno, now running for council president, on a strong environmental protection, growth-control platform. This time the two contenders are advocating balanced growth and a moderate approach to government regulation.Mark S. Decker, a Republican and retail merchant, has been an effective member of the Bel Air council for five years, dealing with development, tax and budget issues.

WASHINGTON -- A coalition of black leaders, holding an emergency meeting to discuss concerns over the legislative agenda of the incoming GOP leadership in Congress, vowed yesterday to fight attempts to gut programs that help African-Americans."

AT A MOMENT when the Republican economic program has plainly faltered, the Democrats have an unparalleled opportunity distinguish their economic philosophy from that of the Republicans. But the Democrats are in real danger of squandering the opportunity.The reasons have to do with Democratic confusion about their fundamental principles, with the conflicting logic of presidential and legislative politics, and with the fragmentation of Congress itself. It is hard for a coherent opposition program to emerge from this stew.

Westminster officials intend to have a draft of the city's 1999-2000 budget ready for public meetings in April and May.The tentative schedule includes a meeting April 5 to review a draft of the proposal, a completed proposal April 12, and a work session with elected officials and staff April 19.A tax rate ordinance would be introduced during a Common Council meeting April 26. A public hearing on the tax rate and budget would be held May 3, and the budget...

The powers that be in Annapolis are calling for a do-over on lawmakers' failure to enact key tax and budget bills before adjournment, but they face a growing chorus from Republican legislators and others who think the "doomsday" budget the state has in the meantime may just be a blessing in disguise. How terrible can it be, they ask, if the overall amount of state spending would go up next year by nearly $700 million? In what world does it make sense to complain about draconian cuts when the state is actually spending more money?

Accompanying your story about impending tax hikes and budget cuts was a front-page picture of an Obama supporter complaining about having to work hard at her Social Security job ("On the brink of the 'fiscal cliff,'" Dec. 6). Perhaps she should join the private sector to find out what real work actually is. What you didn't report is whether she and whoever else was protesting had taken personal leave to express their feelings or whether they were "on the clock," so to speak, as they publicly complained about being expected "to do more.

WASHINGTON -- Cardinal William H. Keeler, the elected head of the nation's Roman Catholic bishops, called yesterday for an alliance of his church with Jews, Muslims and Protestants to return "basic moral teaching" to the public schools.The proposal was one of six on an interfaith agenda for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops that the cardinal said were in line with Pope John Paul II's vision for the United States, expressed during last month's visit to the New York area and Baltimore.