Thanls Paula, I guess we have to fight this battle at the voting booth.

Couldn't be happier. If your neighbor had a bowl of golden eggs and you found out Joe down the street broke in and stole one; then you found out all the other neighbors had each stolen an egg and there was only one left. So you decide before it's all gone you're breaking in and stealing the last egg; not because it's justified or right but because everyone else did it? Good lord...unless there's a need which apparently there isn't since we had a excess from last year's budget why on earth do we have a right to tax people while they sleep. Because everyone else does it is an excuse that a 5 year old makes.

If our Tourism efforts were funded we would be able to compete with other counties for visitors. We have missed many opportunities for television shows, sporting events because we do not have designated funding. I don't know about you but yes it does bother me that when I visit other jurisdictions I am paying for their tourism efforts, while paying for our own.

Define tourism efforts...it's another slush fund without specific guidelines and of course there won't be any. I'm bothered as well when forced to pay this tax, but that doesn't mean I think it's OK to pick someone else's pocket. It isn't OK to steal from others because someone steals from you.

The general rule of thumb is every $1 spent on tourism marketing, print, media and TV, returns $40 to the community. This is why every county in the United States has a hotel tax, to fund that revenue stream's pursuit. I can appreciate that folks are tired of taxes, who isn't, but this tax is one that should have been in place decades ago, and is costing Harford County's small businesses, restaurants, parks and museums, tourism employees (food servers, hotel employees, shop helpers and others), and the community at large, tens of millions of dollars annually.

The delegates are so concerned about pet earmarks that they have again thrown out the baby with the bathwater. They should be ashamed of themselves for not representing the true interests of their constituents, opening the revenue stream, and helping our small businesses, who do most of the tourism business across the state, to expand our tourism market share and help in our economic recovery. -Walter Biller & Mara Wasilik

Of course you're on board...you own a business - more money in your pocket if somebody else pays for your brochures. Every tax has a constituent who supports it - somebody that benefits so we should expect those people to want just this one tax because this is the one that makes sense...and so on and so on, until you have about 60% of your wages taxed which is where we are.

Karl, we pay for our own brochures, thank you. Study your issues. Every hotel is on board for the tourism tax, every major jurisdiction, every mayor, every museum, park and recreational venue. Only the delegates don't get it. -Walter

Maybe that's because the delegates support a constituency in it's entirety; not a select group who stand to benefit.

Yes, Karl, like last year's effort by a delegate to earmark funding to a private developer; the attempt raised ire and eyebrows and brought an end to that session's effort. This year the delegates rallied behind that delegate and grounded the revenue stream, again. If that's the entirety you speak of, you are, of course, right on the money.

What is failed to understand is the fact the everyone would benefit from this and not just the business community. Where does the money that is spent now on tourism efforts come from? It come from other taxes that we pay real property taxes mainly. This is money that could be spent on other needs and other items to benefit the people that pay those taxes.

I'd rather have a delegate have the rocks to introduce the bill and get beat up by the bullies (and bring that up next election) then to have them Millie out and pull the bill. If their other pet projects may have gotten killed then so be it, do one's best to kill those delegates bills. A stalemate is better than curling up and letting them stomp you and a session that comes to a complete standstill might be good for a change because the rubber stamping b/s way of doing business in Annapolis sure isn't working out too well.

Biller - nobody supports corruption either, or political favoritism, or cronyism. It all stinks.

I scratch my head, ATTRACTING VISITORS WITH A TAX, AND VISITORS PAY THIS, NOT A TAX ON US! Can we affirm screw the other guy? Last week I couldn't spell it, now I are one! Hope everyone doesn't apply this logic to the proposed gas tax!

People do not come here because there is no hotel tax. In fact most everyone expects a hotel tax. Marketing efforts is what brings people to Harford County. If Tourism was funded like every other county we'd be on the same playing field and would attract more visitors, which would help business' grow. Don't people want our economy to grow? More jobs?

They may not like those taxes...remember those taxes affect them; but it's perfectly OK to pick somebody else's pockets. Good taxes are where other people pay; bad taxes are where I pay. See the logic?

George and Karl, you hate government and taxes, understood. You make that point on every Patch bureau on every economic subject every day and at every hour. Can you try, just for a day, to let people read Paula's letter and ask questions or state opinions on this particular subject? Please, Can we have a little respect for what others might bring to the plate? She has written a good letter and Harford County's citizens deserve their chance to speak up. Please, just a day. -Walt

You've posted three responses yourself. As a citizen I have as much right as you do to state my opinion. I find it odd but typical that people that lean towards liberal prefer to silence those that might disagree.

Mr. Schuub: I have a question for you. Do you just pay the 18% tax when you go to Ocean City and not question it? There are 23 counties in Maryland. All but one have a tourism/lodging tax. Wanna guess which one doesn't??
Our Governor wants to raise the gas tax to go to road repairs in areas nowhere near me, yet I am just to sit back and say "Ok Gov - hit me again"! There is also the "need" as the Governor has stated, to repair the infrastructure in the City of Baltimore. Who do you think is going to pay for that? The City of Baltimore?? No, it is John Doe Citizen whether he lives in Baltimore or not.

Of course I question the 18% tax on hotels - most of which ends up being paid for by my company as I travel for business at times. What do you think my company does to ensure those costs are covered...they charge more for their products of course; they have no choice. This idea that you raise taxes in a vacumm is completely ridiculous. These nuisance taxes are getting to be quite popular...this way they can claim they never really raised taxes but we all know the truth. You financially harrass, fine and fee people to make up the difference.

Let us not forget that the county had a 32 mil surplus which outside of granting bonuses wouldn't some of that money be used to promote tourism or is that to much to expect. I would prefer that at the end of the year we face zero, no shortfall or overage after all is paid!

@George: You are asking alot. With the exception of lining the pockets of the politicians, the county doesn't want to help any business owners out there. Look how many businesses have gotten smart and left our county.
@Karl: If you think that fines and fees will take care of this problem, then you haven't been in Havre de Grace lately where the HDG Police slap you with a ticket for parking 2" from the curb. Or how about when your bumper is over in the yellow zone by 1/2 an inch. My personal favorite is when they set up a trap along Washington Street near Green with an officer in plain clothes "window shopping" as you approach the intersection then runs into the cross walk as you drive through the intersection - Do you know how much the fine is for failure to give right-a-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk? Yep, you are right Karl. Just fine and fee us to death instead of providing the entire county with a lodging tax.

Great letter Paula. Unfortunately, in recent history our elected representatives have decided they need to "lead" their constituents instead of "representing" them. The fact that two of our representatives didn't even bother to show up, and a third thought if more important to play with her smart phone than listen to her constituents' opinions, speaks volumes. Of course, the others don't seem to really care what the electorate has to say. Instead of supporting something that could actually help the folks they say they represent, they are more interested in their own pet projects. Let's hope enough interest can be generated regarding their lack of "representation" during the next elections to insure some other people get the chance to represent us all.

Won't be easy to find good replacements either.

Some history for those of you new to this subject, Harford County had the authority to
have a hotel tax and at that time tourism in the county was handled by a public-private entity called the Harford Tourism Council
HOUSE BILL 203 SENATE BILL 95
Harford County Delegation (Boutin, Glassman, Hooper, James, Parrott, Riley)
Harford County - Hotel Rental Tax - Repeal
Repealing the authority for Harford County to impose a hotel rental tax; repealing a requirement that the Harford County Tourism Council submit its proposed annual budget to the Harford County Executive and Harford County Council for review and comment; repealing authority for the Harford County Executive and Harford County Council to audit the Harford County Tourism Council
House
March 12, 1999: Third Reading Passed (136-2) Senate
April 6, 1999: Third Reading Passed (46-0)

Letter of veto of Senate Bill sponsored by Jacobs, Collins, Hooper
May27,1999
The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 95.

This bill repeals the authority for Harford County to impose a hotel rental tax of up to 3%. Related administrative procedures are also repealed.

House Bill 203, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May 27, 1999, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 95.

Parris N. Glendening
Governor

I am all for the tax. The enableing legislation should never have been repealed but at that time the hotels had the delegation's ear. May-be that is why Jacobs and Glassman didn't show and James was preoccupied, they never should have succumbed to big money campaign contributors back in 1999.

Below is what was repealed:
[(5) Harford County:
17 (i) May distribute to the general fund of the county not more than
18 5% of the revenue for administrative costs;
19 (ii) After the distribution under item (i) of this paragraph, shall
20 distribute 20% of the revenues collected in a municipal corporation located in Harford
21 County to that municipal corporation for use on tourism or tourism-related projects;
22 and
23 (iii) Shall distribute all remaining revenues after the distributions
24 under items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph to the Harford County Tourism Council.]

I am with you Paula. I have worked in tourism all over the world for every major destination in the South Pacific and the Western USA for over 35 years since I left my beautiful hometown of HDG. We have everything we need to compete accept funding. Funding that is brought in through our own industry that we want to stay in our industry's efforts. You are lying if you say you even noticed your taxes when checking in to a hotel. Which by the way is not a right. No one is asking for a handout. Tourism is a vital economic driver in this region. It should be noted as such. It is unheard of that Harford County does not have the ammunition and support to compete in a competitive tourism market. Most of the comments against this issue would probably have no problem funding another war....but funding a peaceful economy is not some thing they can't understand. I am going to start calling and writing these three folks. We need a social media campaign.....

Why would you believe this tax will go to tourism? The highway tax is siphoned off and spent other places, now O'Malley wants to raise tolls. The Chesapeake Bay taxes are siphoned off as well, now O'Malley wants to raise the flush tax. This will just be another pot of money O'Malley and the other politicians will raid. You will see very little go to tourism. The current proposal only has 20% going to tourism. And in the next legislative session, the Democrats from all the other counties can redirect that money to the general fund and there is nothing the Harford County Delegation can do about it.

@AG: Three-quarters of the EDBA proposed hotel tax would go directly to Harford County Tourism office for marketing our county's tourism opportunities, the balance to County Council for distribution to the local jurisdictions. You are basing your 20% figure on historic legislation (1999) mentioned above by a reader. The numbers and intent of the distribution do not reflect the EDBA's current proposal. The proposed tax's distribution is popular with county industry tourism players, hence its broad support by hotels, jurisdictions and businesses.

AG, The legislation being requested is to enable Harford County to collect a room tax ( just like every other County and Baltimore City currently does), which would be used for tourism promotion. Has nothing to do with the State funds and would not be subject to use by the State.

I support the motel tax, but have a problem designating so much of it to tourism. What do we have here in Harford County that will really attract tourists to stop here to visit, and maybe stay overnight. Other than Ripken Stadium during baseball season, I can think of nothing. Gettysburg is a tourist attraction; so is Williamsburg and, of course, Ocean City and the other seashore resorts. The Steppingstone Museum, The Liriodendum, and the Havre de Grace waterfront promanade are weak imitations of a "tourist attraction".

An excellent article on what a tourism dedicated hotel tax would do for our county http://i95business.com/2012/02/promoting-the-promoter/

Does anyone have any estimates on how much the increased cost of rooms will reduce tourism?

I doubt that can be readily answered as well as asking how much the tax would enhance tourism! Don't think more taxes are an economic enhancement in any case, but that's just me.

No. They do however keep track of dollars spent on tourism promotion and dollars gained in revenue. Every $1 spent on promotion brings $40 to the community. This is an accepted equation around the state and the reason for tourism hotel taxation everywhere in the United States except Harford County, MD.

Paul brings up another good point. Tourism promotion brings enhanced out-of-town revenue and it also brings local investment, jobs and community spending in non-tourist channels. Visitors visit, spend their money at hundreds of different businesses, and sometimes see what they read about, like it and stay. We brought Biller's Bikes to Havre de Grace because Ripken Stadium did a good job of promoting the Aberdeen Ironbirds. The Ironbirds were all we knew about the county until we visited and discovered its wonder. Tourism revenue finds its way to the trades, to the property taxbase and to the 90+ percent of small businesses that folks pile together as the "tourism industry." -Walter

I always hated the concept that we have to spend money based on "an accepted equation" without any details or prior examples that are similar in nature. If this were such a hard fact, we would see nothing but tourism commercials during the Super Bowl.

Likewise, I think this depends on the type of destination. I think that might be true where people save up for a year or more for their "Vacation of a Lifetime." No one flies across the country to spend a week in Harford County, gamble in the Hollywood Casino and tour the house where John Wilkes Booth was raised.

But I do know that when you increase the cost of an item demand goes down. How much will increasing the cost of a hotel room reduce demand?

Here is a link showing a video of Tourism Day in Annapolis. In this video Sen Jacobs seems to be supportive of Tourism...but action speaks louder than words, Senator.
http://mdbizmedia.choosemaryland.org/2012/02/13/tourism-advocates-meet-with-legislators/

Just remember, folks, that these are the same two businesses who openly supported and welcomed a group of 'tourists' to Harford and Cecil before - the Occupy Wall Streeters. While I previously supported the hotel tax, I am now reconsidering it, since it would help their businesses and allow them to provide more support for groups that I am completely oppposed to. What a conundrum...

@Jabaz: I am contending the hotel tax will be counter-productive. It will make hotel rooms more expensive and reduce tourism. Sure, we may bring more people have a dinner occasionally but I believe the increased cost will drive people away.

Having lived in many different states, I don't have the "what’s in your wallet" mentality that people in Maryland have. Why is the first thing in people’s minds "Here's a good place to spend money, who can we tax to pay for it?"

You have no idea if the tax will increase tourism. You have no metrics, no studies, no nothing. How about starting with the basics:
1. How much will the tax bring in?
2. How much will the tax reduce Hotel Occupancy?
3. Where is the prioritized list of where the money will be used? And how much will each item on the list cost?
4. For each item on the list about, what is the expected increase in tourism spending?
5. How do you intend to measure the success of the tax/spending?

Oh, and my vacations, the longest vacation in Maryland I have taken is two nights in Ocean City. *YAWN*

And on Hollywood Casino, I really didn't know where it is. I have never been there and I never intend to go there. I just knew it was north of where I am. Hollywood Casino does make a point though. Revenues are nowhere near what "an accepted equation" said they would be. I don't believe your hotel tax folly will be any more successful.

aahh...and Phil Dirt shows up...someone who hides behind a fake name and is more interested in retribution to people he does not agree with, rather that something will contribute to the greater good for everyone. Top notch!

Yes, Paula. He is the same fakir that promised a boycott of our bikeshop. I am pleased to let you know, Mr. Dirt, that your boycott brought us a lot of good customers, who came to thank us for our assistance and to express their disdain for your animosity to our community and its guests. We had a record week in sales thanks to you!

AG, there are studies, in the county, in the state, by both private and public entities. Suffice it to say that the businesses, people and civic organizations that are behind the proposed tax have read the studies and signed this petition. Manyof the primaries are listed on the petition at http://www.prohctourism.com/. If you contact Harford County Tourism they will offer information on any questions they can answer about the suggested proposal.

AG, Consider the precise info that for every dollar spent the community will get $40.00 dollars in return. So I conclude we should tax everything 4 fold so the dollars coming in should have us flush with cash. How about we apply this to the 32 mil overage in the county. Just think of the return!

So call Tourism and ask. I did, and learned tons. Wini Roche is the director there, she is both informed and a gracious public servant. She can point you to the studies. The tourism office does not have a staff or budget sufficient to build a website for this proposal. They have done wonders with the little bit of budget they have promoting tourism in a state of well-funded industry rivals.

No, Mr. Dirt, you definitely won the brass ring. You brought up the boycott idea and you got the credit for most of the vitriol that was expressed including shooting, drowning and freezing the Occupy kids because they crossed the river at HdG while on their peaceful march to Washington. I want you to have all the credit you deserve for your particular show of respect for others' viewpoints and hospitality towards people you just don't like just passing through.

Paula, you sort of lost your reasoning as I fail to see anyone for or against TAXES stating opposition to tourism. It's the same old adage as IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID, only economy is replaced by taxes!

Well it doesn't sit well with me, that when I visit other counties, thru their hotel tax, I am paying for their tourism efforts. And they all have us beat....we cannot compete. And here in Harford County what little budget is also coming out of my pocket. I want us to be on the same level playing field. I will never convince you gentlemen. But I have made it aware to many people, some who never realized we did not have a hotel tax, they just assumed. And now they have signed the petition, shared it on facebook and have let their delegates know they support a tax. And regardless of your negative comments and insults I will continue to be advocate for this cause. Have a lovely evening.

I am for the hotel tax. I just don't understand the reasoning. Please stop saying it is to level the playing field. Harford had the right to charge a hotel tax and the hotel lobby in this county asked the HARFORD delegation to unlevel the playing field in 1999 and they did. I am guessing the hotel lobby told the delegation it would hurt their business. I believe it would hurt it more today especially since the per diem in 1999 was higher than it is today and gasoline was $1.17 a gallon leaving tourists with more money to spend on a hotel room. Now in 2012 the arguement is that we are the only ones that don't have it so we should? Well if tourists spend more on a room doesn't that leave them less to spend at local restaurants and local businesses??? And if all the hotels don't raise their prices by 5% doesn't that leave them with less money to spend on their own marketing materials like signs??? If the delegation in 1999 had not caved to the hotel lobby Harford could have had tourism revenue at any time the County Council wished to enact the legislation until now.... imagine what Harford Tourism would be like today if that had been the case.

Sara, in 1999 the "hotel lobby" was led by the local Hess family hotels. For whatever its reasoning it opposed the county tax. Today, thirteen years later, all of the major hotels, most of them now owned by national chains, are onboard for the tourism tax and vibrant county tourism outreach. The hotels want to collect the county tax and pass it to the county. The hotels' marketing budgets will not be affected. Like local tourism businesses and county business development groups, they realize that a well-funded central tourism thrust will bring their hotels more business.

Considering I moved from a tax rich area in NJ to a fiscally conservative area such as Harford County, I am shocked that a tax is actually being discussed. If businesses want to attract people to their hotels and such, let them fund the advertising themselves. It's not the government's job to do that for you.

Use the fact that there's no local hotel tax as a way to attract people. Baltimore can do a hotel tax because it attracts more people naturally since it's a major city.

If you want conventions and other events, you need the facilities for it. Let the private sector build it.

Mr. Biller thank you for you response. As you can tell I was against the 1999 legislation repealling the hotel tax for Harford County. My concern today is that the legislation is reinstate the hotel tax is so broad that it's left to the County Council to decide how that money is spent and it is not on tourism and marketing. We do not need another adminstratively bloated department in our county's administration with a department head and "deputy" staff. I agree with the above comments regarding the gas tax, alcohol tax, cigarette tax, casino dollars, and all the other taxes that are sold to the public in name of the "children" or whatever and never reach those it was intended to benefit. Who is to say some other lobby influences the Council and the hotels never see the benefit of those dollars?

@AG: You stated above "I have owned property in Harford County for 23 years". Owned as in the past. Again, why are you so worried about what happens here. I may have only been here for 12 years but I have seen changes within this county and not for the better. I have watched as businesses in warehouse row in Abingdon moved out of Harford County taking with it - jobs. I have watched as good neighborhoods have gone down hill due to the drug element. And where are the Police? I was witnessed people being shot in front of my house over "crossing territories". So, when I hear something that would be good for this county, then I am all for it. We need to move forward - not back as you claim and embrace the need for this tax.

Here is a way to keep both of us happy. Put in a success metric that the tax is automatically repealed if the metric is not met. After my many years in but the public and private sectors, the one thing that is consistent is the govt almost never meets its goals.

Paula, Eeyore had the final word. I've said it before, he can't help himself. Happy Valentines Day, Paula, and HVD to Wini Roche at Harford Tourism, thanks for your spirit and determination. We'll get Harford county tourism into the 21st century, soon!

@AG: No, I'm not in Edgewood, nor behind the old Giant (which closed because they gave up on their lease because they were held up alot). You haven't been to Bel Air lately. So you own property in Maryland. Congrats to you but you aren't in Harford County. Why don't you just give up and shut up since you have no clue as to what many are trying to do to improve and get our county in the 21st century.
Congrats to Paula for all you have been and are doing to get this issue in the front lines. You, my dear, are a credit to our county!!

Could someone explain to me how increasing the cost to tourists coming here would increase tourism? I would think if I was planning an event or looking for somewhere to visit in Maryland, I'd pick the county that doesn't increase my costs by adding additional taxes. If I was looking for a way to advertise tourism for our county I'd use the second sentence of this story, "Harford County is the only county in Maryland and the surrounding three states without such a fee". How is that not obvious?

Gee, there are so many uninformed people on this topic. First, if all other counties have this tax, then shouldn't we have this tax in Harford Co.? Secondly, why are so many people making silly, off the cuff comments when they no zero about the facts about his tax? I feel embarassed for some of these posters.

Paula, why are the Harford County Delegation, excluding Delegate James fighting with others down in Annapolis and may not even be able to get such a bill through next year? That is likely why they were so afraid to try.
I suggest that you go to the only two Delegates who can actually help you next year, Del James and Del Rudolph. Both, I think have some type of leadership position, according to their official gov. websites from Annapolis. They can help you and Good Luck on behalf of helping all of Us. Maybe you should run for a political office? You would be terrific!

Paula, I am working night shift and things are quiet. So, I looked up more about the elected officials who are not pulling our weight and taking care of Harford Co. I found out that next year or the year after we will likely have two new delegates. The two I mentioned who are actually vice chairpersons of State Committees, Delegates James and Rudolph. Maybe you could begin talking to them? They clearly are get things done people.
I also read up on some silliness that goes on. The one's who have been letting us down are troublemakers. They pick fights with the Democrats in Annapolis frequently. I hope this is helpful. We need good people who work for us, not their stupid tea party b.s.

I'm sure all of you that want more taxes are rejoicing that your boy O'Malley just raised taxes on the middle class with more to come. I would appreciate your efforts if you would fund a billboard on I-95 and route. 40 telling all potential visitors that you support any and all taxes! Please insure you place the names of your businesses in bold letters so everyone will rush to support you and your business when they visit! To insure recognition make sure you also post the same notification at the entrance to you business. TKU in advance!

@Kareem Mikoffee: I find it interesting just how quickly some people find mud to sling at others, especially when they think they are perfectly & squeaky clean. So why did you move from Cleveland, Houston and Katy, Texas? Did it have anything to do with your heroin addition? Or that while addicted to heroin, you were "robbin banks"? Or was it because you were associated with the "Man Charged with Indecent Exposure at West Manchester Mall"?
The issue at hand has to do with Harford County and the hotel tax. It has nothing to do with the way a person operates a business in this county or attempting to dig up dirt on those you believe are against the system.
If this bothers you so much, hop on a plane and head back to Texas. And, I loved your comment regarding the death of a US Student in Costa Rica. "Maybe we can drain all oceans so nobody ever drowns and then we can have more real estate". The only problem with more 'real estate' is someone will have to pay taxes on it!

Montgomery, your confused! Did you pull that thought out of mid air or from out of your _ _ _ as I never said anyhting about whether I'm affected or not by our buddy O'Malleys tax hike and I hope you qualify and I'm sure you will be happy to pay it!

@Montgomery E. Loane

Her RAD loan is the business of every taxpayer in Havre de Grace. Paula does not get to keep her RAD loan private since she borrowed public money that is administered by the city and is supposed to be repaid by borrowers so it can be loaned out again.

So is Paula Casagrande current with her RAD loan obligations or not?

@AG: GROW UP WILL YOU!
Since I recently got married, when you Google my name, nothing comes up. But, when I Googled your initials, American Gas comes up. So if anyone is full of it, you are! When you have the balls to use your REAL NAME, give me a shout. Otherwise, keep your opinions to yourself.