Reply #8: Hack away at the branches of inequity

[dcfirefighter]

The left has it's heart in the right place by fighting for living wages, minimum wages, healthcare rights, etc.

But to get at the root of such inequity, we need to share the commonwealth.

Man-made wealth, the products of labor, can be reproduced. Taxing the products of labor is a tax on labor. Taxes on labor reduce the amount of labor employed. Reducing the amount of labor employed decreases the scarcity of labor, and reduces wages.

Conversely, reducing taxes on labor, and reducing the taxes on the products of labor, increases the amount of labor employed and raises wages.

Additionally, increasing the taxes on natural capital causes it to be put to highest & best use. Putting it to highest and best use also raises employment, and thus wages. Putting it to highest & best use also decreases housing costs, making those wages go further. Another neat side-effect is that it reduces sprawl, encouraging high-value areas to be built to the limits of their zoning laws. Reducing sprawl decreases the amount of money (and oil) spent on moving people and goods around.

So, while we keep hacking at the branches, and I love the Wal-Mart bill, call Erlich's office and let him know, we also need to begin the shift.

We, as Marylanders, have the opportunity to do so this year.
HB 842, HB846, HB1075

HB842 shifts the very small state tax off of buildings and on to land assessment, with an exemption for principal residences and agricultural land.
HB1075 gives the option of shifting property taxes to the counties and Balto City
HB846 is a new tax earmarked for education, that taxes the same things as HB842

These are very progressive, I urge you all to contact your delegates and express your support for them.