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Email from Montgomery County Council
President Hans Riemer to Robin Ficker on
Christmas night; there is no mandated limit
on how many speakers can testify at a hearing |
Montgomery County Council President Hans Riemer rejected County resident Robin Ficker's request to testify at a hastily-scheduled public hearing Tuesday on a bill that would allow pre-payment of property taxes before December 31. Ficker is running against several members of the Council for the office of County Executive. This was a clear conflict-of-interest for the Council in excluding Ficker's testimony, as he would surely have discussed the Council's record property tax hikes in his remarks, and the narrow tax relief the bill would provide for only one tier of taxpayers. Some of his opponents on the Council used the taxpayer-funded Council public relations office to issue statements praising themselves following the hearing Tuesday, despite being the ones who forced County residents to pay more than $10,000 in property taxes in 2016.
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Ficker is mobbed by supporters
outside the Council building earlier
this year |
Ficker's exclusion raised eyebrows because the Council had all day to listen to testimony; this was an emergency session and there was no other item on the
agenda, as anyone can confirm by examining it. The Council recently used a similar tactic to limit public participation in the debate over a proposed expansion of Old Angler's Inn, which left more observers in the hearing room than actual speakers.
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Ficker's successful ballot
questions limiting Council terms
and tax increases have enraged
councilmembers, who prevented
him from testifying Tuesday |
The tax bill passed 7-1 yesterday, with Councilmember Craig Rice voting against it, and Councilmember Tom Hucker absent. It remains uncertain if all or any taxpayers who pay more than $10,000 in property taxes will be ultimately be able to prepay and/or save money. But councilmembers were forced to reverse their opposition after other local jurisdictions quickly allowed their residents to prepay. Many of those paying that amount were only put over the $10,000 mark by the Council's record 2016 and 2017 tax hikes. While the Council took pains to blame Donald Trump, who is unpopular in blue Montgomery, it was the Council themselves who put so many of those affected by the federal tax changes into that position.
"While the Council took pains to blame Donald Trump, who is unpopular in blue Montgomery,..."
ReplyDeleteActually, Trump's approval rating nationally is south of 40%, closer to 30% actually. That makes him unpopular beyond just blue MoCo. And at the lowest point in his presidency. According to CNN (I know ... Fake News), "It marks the worst approval rating in a December of any elected president's first year in the White House by a wide margin — and only the second time since the dawn of modern polling that a president's approval rating sank under 50% at this point. A broad 59% of Americans said they disapprove of how Trump is handling his job as president."
6:18: The fact is, every time you hear the Council say "Trump," they are trying to divert attention from their failures and unpopular decisions here in the County, betting that Trump rage will somehow earn them a free pass.
DeleteThis article show a complete misunderstanding of the new federal tax bill and the meaning of Tuesday's decision.
ReplyDeleteThe new changes go into effect 1/1/2018 that will limit your total state tax deduction to $10,000. Therefore in 2019 when you prepare your 2018 taxes you'll be limited to a $10,000 maximum for all your state taxes (income, property, personal property if applicable.)
By statute, prepaid state income taxes are not deductible in the year paid.
But it's a local decision whether to allow pre-payment of real property taxes.
Tuesday's vote will allow county residents to pre-pay RE taxes by 12/31 of this year so they will be fully deductible when preparing your 2017 taxes next April.
6:22: Huh? Nothing you said negates anything I wrote, and you end by actually reaffirming what I wrote about property taxes.
DeleteFicker can offer any other proposal he wants, but only the prepayment provision is as extremely time-sensitive as this one. Do you not understand this distinction?
ReplyDeleteAnd Dyer is already deleting comments that noted his total lack of coverage of the bill until this morning.
ReplyDelete6:40: There wasn't anything to cover. Just amateur hour for several days while the Council kept checking the political winds to figure out what to do. Meanwhile everyone around us quietly and professionally got it done, leaving Montgomery County looking like idiots as usual. Finally, they passed a bill, and I have not only the report, but also the inside scoop the local media missed about Ficker's opponents in executive race blocking him from testifying. Baba Booey.
DeleteDyer wrote: "This was a clear conflict-of-interest for the Council in excluding Ficker's testimony, as he would surely have discussed the Council's record property tax hikes in his remarks, and the narrow tax relief the bill would provide for only one tier of taxpayers."
ReplyDeleteNeither of Ficker's planned remarks are germane to the issue that was at hand. With a time-critical decision needed, revisiting past Council tax-related matters would have been completely off-topic.
However, Ficker just screwed-up by applying too late. The notion by Dyer in this Article that the Council had nothing better to do on their agenda and could allow an infinite witness list is just absurd.
I signed up to testify before others who were allowed to testify. Riemer told me before the hearing he didn’t like what I was going to say even though I hadn’t told him what I was going to say. Putin-like prior restraint.
DeleteDyer also deleted the comment which noted that Ficker is only one of 47 candidates running for either County Executive or County Council.
ReplyDelete"Dyer wrote: "This was a clear conflict-of-interest for the Council in excluding Ficker's testimony"
ReplyDeleteStill waiting for Dyer to acknowledge his clear conflict of interest regarding his reporting on the noise complaints by residents of the Fairmont Plaza.
"I signed up to testify before others who were allowed to testify."
ReplyDeleteLOL, sure Robin, Whatever you say. Putz.
I signed up at 10:20 pm on 12/23. My friend, Dan MCHugh signed up 13 hours later at 11:30 am on 12/24. I was not allowed to testify and he was. QED!
DeleteFicker, you are famous for missing deadlines -- including court dates for your clients. Your law license was suspended in 1998 and 2007 for violations of competence and diligence.
ReplyDeleteHave you no Shame Sir, have you no Shame, to blame Hans Riemer for your failure to ask for a speaking slot before the list was filled?
Weird. Ficker's comment was right after mine @6:22. Now that one's deleted and re-posted at 6:46. But it now uses "Putin-like" in front of "prior restraint."
ReplyDelete"The fact is"
ReplyDeleteOh for heavens sake, that's not a FACT.
Just more of your opinion.
I stand by my post. Your article shows your limits and misunderstandings of the new tax regulations.
ReplyDeleteWhat was comical yesterday was watching Craig Rice and Marc Elrich misstate the potential impact on income tax revenue. Prepayment of property taxes in no way affects state or county income tax revenue. State income taxes and the county's piggyback are based on adjusted gross income, which is calculated before deductions are applied, and you can't deduct your property taxes from your state taxes. George Leventhal wasn't sure how income tax revenue would be affected, but he voted for the property tax bill anyway. For people who love taxes as much as they do, they didn't show much understanding of how people are actually taxed. Very disappointing.
ReplyDelete"My friend, Dan MCHugh signed up..."
ReplyDeleteHa ha... the usual gang of Retards. LOL
"Montgomery County Council President Hans Riemer rejected County resident Robin Ficker's request to testify at a hastily-scheduled public hearing Tuesday on a bill that would allow pre-payment of property taxes before December 31."
ReplyDelete"Ficker's opponents in executive race blocking him from testifying. Baba Booey."
Riemer is not running against Ficker, you birdbrain.
7:30: No kidding, Sherlock, but half the Council IS.
Delete"Just amateur hour for several days while the Council kept checking the political winds to figure out what to do. Meanwhile everyone around us quietly and professionally got it done, leaving Montgomery County looking like idiots as usual. Finally, they passed a bill."
ReplyDeleteSo they responded to County residents concerns and passed the bill, just a few days later than DC and other nearby jurisdictions. In the meantime you were wringing your hands over George Leventhal's Ph.D. and the legal definition of "noise" and completely ignored the issue.
Also, I noticed that you went back and deleted all comments on other articles that referred to this issue, even if the reader commenting was expressing opposition to the Council's earlier rejection of pre-payment.
"I have not only the report..."
20 hours late, and this was your only report on the issue which has been developing over the course of a week.
7:42: No wonder they hired you to replace Neil "Best Tax Hike For 'Education' Ever!" Greenberger! You take the Level 5 ****storm of a fiasco it took the Council to get this done, and try to make it sound like, "in the end, government worked." LOL
DeleteSorry, but we all witnessed the ****storm.
Bobby if you want to ensure you cannot win as an At-Large-Candidate for the Council, have Robin Ficker endorse you.
ReplyDeleteOr, you endorse him. This will prove as wildly successful as your past endorsements of Sarah Palin and Michael Steele as future Presidents of the United States.
A Ficker endorsement would be a kiss of death for you.
A Dyer endorsement would be a kiss of death for Ficker.
Though it is hard to describe anything as a kiss of death to a corpse.
My Term Limits Charter Amendment, opposed by the Council in a frivolous lawsuit d signed to keep it off the ballot received 300,000 votes and won 253 of 257 precincts.
DeleteMy successful property tax charter amendment requiring a unanimous council vote to exceed the inflation rate on increases was also unanimously opposed by the council and has saved the average homeowner $10,000+ since 2008.
Bill, Robin Ficker and I are far more trusted in Montgomery County than the people currently in office. Voters took Robin's position on his term limits referendum by overwhelming numbers, booting most of his opponents for executive out of their Council seats. Who is more popular again?
DeleteI do not take anything Ficker says to heart because of his multiple ethics violations.
ReplyDeleteMr Ficker I notice you are actively commenting here on this site. Can you address your debarring and ethics violations and how we can trust you as county executive?
DeleteI have completed more cases in Maryland Courts than the Council AND county Executive opponents put together. How can we trust them to handle the growing crime problem in MoCo?
DeleteMr Ficker you are avoiding the question completely. Can you address your debarring and ethics violations and how we can trust you as county executive? Not asking anything about your opponents. Just about you.
Delete7:25AM - That's not how Maryland taxes work.
ReplyDeleteState income taxes and the county's piggyback are based on taxable Maryland income. After deductions, after additions, after subtractions.
Yes, you can deduct your property taxes from your state income. Only the state income taxes are not deductible.
Wow...Reimer quashing debate and targeting specific residents to block them from speaking.
ReplyDeleteTwo amendments and two campaign losses? Not too bad.
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing to mention here is:
ReplyDeleteTo take advantage of pre-paying your property taxes you MUST use a separate form.
You can't just overpay the one due 12/31/17.
Read how here:
How To
Sign the Notice of Intent
Sign This
Thank you, Anna!
DeleteGiven that Hans Riemer and George Leventhal have been elected multiple times, and Robin Ficker and Robert Dyer soundly defeated every time they ran, it couldn't be more clear whom Montgomery County residents actually trust.
ReplyDelete@ 7:26 AM
ReplyDeleteHey, Judy Docca, Board of Education member and candidate for another 4 year term. Did not know you commented on this blog.
12:12 PM A major candidate commenting on Bethesda's site of record. Seems appropriate.
ReplyDeleteIf you want a quote from him on your blog, just reach out privately. No need to attack Robert & Robin here.
2:25 PM I'd love to see you post that under your real name. That's defamation.
ReplyDelete10:02: Neither incumbent has been on the ballot since 2014. Term limits passed in 2016 based on their horrible voting record and performance since 2014. We'll see if voters are stupid enough to reverse their term limits vote by reelecting the same swamp creatures in 2018.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've missed some very important updates on this issue, Dyer.
ReplyDelete5:00: To the contrary, I've been proven correct. Readers of other local media outlets rushed out and cashed out to pay their taxes early at County office building, only to find they won't be getting a deduction anyway. My readers were resting comfortably at home, enjoying the holidays. #FakeNews #BetrayedByTheCountyCouncil #ThrowTheBumsOut #LockThemUp
ReplyDeleteFrom what I accurately DID report on the tax issue:
"It remains uncertain if all or any taxpayers who pay more than $10,000 in property taxes will be ultimately be able to prepay and/or save money."
LOL - Robert Dyer is right again!
Robert, where is your usual claim of '40,000 MS-13 zombies from the cemetery precincts stole my vote"? Is Uncle Robin keeping you on the straight and narrow this week?
ReplyDeleteI love that Robert even deleted his own comment from a couple of days ago trashing the Council for failing to take action.
ReplyDelete5:24: Completely false statement. I have not deleted any of my own comments.
DeleteDyer previously criticized the council for not having taken action sooner, then when he did, deleted his previous comment and found other pretexts to criticize their action.
ReplyDelete6:10: I understand your frustration that your bosses on the Council once again revealed themselves as impotent, incompetent morons with this Christmas tax debacle.
DeleteI did not delete any of my comments. Total BS.
Apparently the "brightest minds" (LOL) on the Council didn't bother to check with the IRS before shooting their mouths off.
They even used taxpayer money to spam email their constituents to tout themselves after the vote, only to send them out into the cold for nothing. Lol!
They just lost a lot of votes! LOL
Which two comments did you just delete now? The count was previously 48 just a few minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteOh, I see you deleted the comment that noted your use of third-person in your comment of 5:16:
ReplyDeleteRobert Dyer:
"LOL - Robert Dyer is right again!"
Smart politicians know to sidestep a falling piano like this prepay issue. It just landed on Hans Riemer & Co. Bigly. LOL Woooooooooooooo! #Oops #LockThemUp
ReplyDeleteThat same "falling piano" also "landed" most local governments in Maryland, the District and Virginia, and many other local governments across the country, Birdbrain. Your inability to view any issue outside of your pathological hatred for Montgomery County's elected leaders disqualifies you to be a journalist.
ReplyDelete7:04: It's my ability to hold our inept and corrupt elected officials accountable that QUALIFIES me to be a journalist, old sport.
DeleteWhy do you delete comments asking Robin Ficker if aligning himself with You is a good idea yet leave up the questions about his integrity and disbarment? Playing both sides of the field, Dyer. Interesting way to treat one of your supporters.
ReplyDelete7:29: You seem to have an obsession with Robin Ficker and myself, two civilians who have gotten more done for the people of Montgomery County in the last decade than our actual, overpaid elected officials. Chill out, bro.
DeleteSo you delete the negative comments posted about you but don’t have the decency to stand up for him and sanitize comments about him? Is that more or less correct?
DeleteDidn’t Ficker declare his candidacy? So he’s now a public figure and game for questions isn’t he?
DeleteSo how do the actions of the Feds - limiting deductions of state and local taxes, and then disallowing prepayment of such taxes (with just four days to go in the year) equal "corrupt and incompetent MoCo"?
ReplyDeleteRemember, our country is in the midst of one of the greatest economic expansions in generations. Yet, our current Council is delivering a revenue short fall.
ReplyDelete