Harford County Officials Repeal 'Rain Tax'

Harford County Government provided the following information on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Harford County First in Maryland to Repeal Rain Tax, Last to Implement Hotel Tax

Harford County Executive Barry Glassman issued the following statement upon passage Tuesday evening of his proposed legislation to repeal the county’s stormwater remediation fee, also known as the “rain tax,” and separate legislation implementing a hotel tax to benefit tourism. Both measures were among Mr. Glassman’s first legislative proposals following his inauguration in December.

“Harford County is now first in Maryland to repeal the rain tax, an unfair and uneven burden on business and residential taxpayers. While my administration remains committed to watershed protection and restoration, we can meet these obligations using revenue from the county’s general fund, and with innovative planning and funding of capital projects.

“Harford County is also the last county in Maryland to implement a hotel tax, finally leveling the playing field for our citizens who pay the tax when they travel everywhere else in the state, and in most of the nation. However, rather than use this tax revenue to grow government, Harford County will establish a competitive grant process putting funds to work where they can best promote tourism, and therefore, economic growth.

“I would like to thank the Harford County Council for their support of both these measures benefiting the taxpayers in Harford County, home of Maryland’s new center of opportunity.”

Related: Glassman Proposes Repeal of Rain Tax