UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – The fight between the Prince George’s County executive and the County Council is still unresolved and nearing a deadline that could leave the county in legal limbo.
When the county council rejected county executive Rushern Baker’s 2016 budget, he says they violated the county charter. That’s because instead of Baker’s property tax increase of 11 cents, the council only wants an increase of 4 cents and a charter provision says they can only amend the budget revenue estimates they are given by 1 percent.
If Baker’s increase of 11 cents goes through, the county stands to contribute $727 million to the school system, said county budget director Thomas Himler. If the council’s 4 cents moves forward, the school system would get $669 million dollars.
“By violating the charter, I have no other choice but to veto the budget,” Baker said during a press conference Monday.
If the council overrides Baker’s veto, and the July 1 deadline passes, county attorney M. Andree Green says the county’s budget will be invalid.
“If the council overrides the veto, we’ll be in an precarious position, an unknown position. … So, more than likely, at that point there would have to be some type of judicial action,” Green says.
Council chairman Mel Franklin responded in a statement to Baker’s announcement he’ll veto the council’s budget as per the charter Monday afternoon.
“We are confident about the legality of our budget process, our message of investment with fiscal responsibility, and will continue to serve the best interests of our residents,” Franklin says.
Back in March, Baker’s original budget proposal included a real property increase of more than 15 cents, which he says would help schools.
“I believe that given everything else we’ve done over the last five years in Prince George’s County, whether it’s public safety, health, that education is that last venue. I think now is the time to put a significant amount towards education. They disagree with that,” Baker says.
