Maryland Headlines
Excise Tax on Employee Parking on Hold
In September, Montgomery County Councilmember At-Large Nancy Floreen (D) floated a draft bill imposing an excise tax in the amount of $250 per space per year on all spaces used for employee parking. The bill boasts an environmental objective aimed at removing commuters from their cars, while also providing funding for mass transit capital improvements. The bill estimates the tax to generate $75 million a year. On Sept. 24, AOBA met with Councilmember Floreen to explain the members’ concerns, particularly the inequitable tax burden the bill places on commercial property owners and presented her with several alternative suggestions to increase County tax revenue to fund mass transit capital improvements.
Councilmember Floreen informed AOBA that she does not plan to introduce this bill until next year. She plans to initiate a working group to explore alternative taxing mechanisms and to address the concerns raised by the business community. AOBA will participate in the work group, which has its first meeting scheduled Oct. 15.
