By Adam Pagnucco.
Here is today’s question. Note: I asked this question of the candidates before the county council approved its budget.
Do you support County Executive Marc Elrich’s recommendation to increase property and income taxes and to establish special taxing districts? If not, how would you change Elrich’s recommended budget to balance revenues and expenditures?
District 1
Drew Morrison (D)
I oppose the County Executive’s recommendation. Our residents have faced four major tax hike proposals in the last six years alongside other rising costs. Further, because of the use of one-time revenues, if passed, this budget locks in another 9% tax increase next year. This is not sustainable. It will be my priority to make responsible fiscal decisions to ensure that residents can afford to remain in our community.
It is important to recognize what brought us here. Over the past two budgets, both the School Board and the County Executive proposed budgets that have pushed on the County’s fiscal capacity. This has come all while the lights were flashing red that the impacts of Trump’s cuts on our revenues would be meaningful.
In balancing the budget today, I want us to leverage the resources that we do have. The County’s budget is projected to grow by roughly $150 million even without any increase to the property tax rate, the income tax rate, or the creation of new special taxing districts. I recommend we live within those means. Below, I highlight how we can work toward that goal.
Debbie Spielberg (D)
Both the County Executive and the Council President have proposed tax increases to fund the budget, which by law must be balanced. The Board of Education recommended a budget that included the largest increase ever. I take very seriously the impact that any tax decision has on residents. My approach is to ensure that every dollar is used effectively and that we are identifying efficiencies wherever possible before asking more of taxpayers. As a Councilmember, I will look for potential targeted reductions, exercise oversight and consider phasing in programs. And I would advocate for reforming the tax structure that puts a disproportionate burden on residents. I would also work to eliminate duplication between executive agencies and Planning, which is costly. Special taxing districts can be valuable when they are used transparently and tied to clear benefits for the communities they serve. Be wary of candidates who say no new taxes, don’t offer specifics, and propose things that would increase spending: that’s irresponsible. I am not going to promise magical solutions, but I will search for targeted reductions, exercise financial and budgetary oversight for all agencies, explain difficult choices, and vote with integrity.
Reardon “Sully” Sullivan (R)
I do not support increasing property or income taxes, nor do I support the creation of special taxing districts.
Sustainable economic growth comes from expanding the tax base, not increasing the burden on existing taxpayers. Excessive taxation risks driving residents and businesses out of the County, ultimately reducing revenues over time.
I am reminded of the phrase, “You can’t tax your way into prosperity.” The County Executive and Council don’t understand that taxpayers are not their personal ATM. We cannot enrich the County by impoverishing its taxpayers.
When you overtax the residents and business they will leave. This will reduce the tax base and place increased burden on those of us that remain. The same concept applies to the concept of establishing special taxing districts. Businesses will leave.
I have been a staunch advocate of reducing spending before raising taxes. I believe that we need to find out where our tax money is going, eliminate redundancies, and optimize workflow before raising taxes.
For example, there are opportunities to improve operational efficiency within major budget areas such as MCPS, where administrative overhead appears significantly higher than in comparable jurisdictions.
Julie Yang (D)
I do not support the proposed property and income tax increases. For many families, especially seniors on fixed incomes, this is a real burden. And importantly, these are across-the-board increases; not a progressive tax structure, and do not distinguish between those who can absorb the cost and those who cannot.
Instead, we need discipline and prioritization in our budget.
Our priorities should be to fund our non-discretionary obligations: schools, public safety, and contractual commitments to our workforce and partners. We need to continue to protect services for our most vulnerable residents. That is what makes Montgomery County a great place. Finally, we have to bolster our economic development. We must feed the engine that generates revenue: supporting businesses, creating jobs, and growing our tax base.
At the same time, we should identify efficiencies, review long-term vacancies, evaluate programs, and stop using one-time funds for ongoing costs. Families make these choices every day. The government should, too.
District 2
Marilyn Balcombe (D-Incumbent)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Arian Borghei (R-Write-in)
I do not support broad tax increases which is proposed by the current county executive at a time when residents are already struggling with affordability. Instead, I would focus on smarter budgeting—identifying inefficiencies, prioritizing core services, and cutting waste.
I would also pursue economic growth as a revenue strategy. A stronger private sector expands the tax base without raising rates. My plan is to deliver a balanced budget that reflects what residents actually want: responsible spending and relief from rising costs.
District 3
Jud Ashman (D)
No, I do not support the proposed tax and fee increases. As a matter of principle, I believe that we need to ask the government to do better before we ask the residents to pay more.
And I have a track record to prove it. In Gaithersburg, under my leadership, we’ve been able to deliver top notch services while maintaining the lowest municipal tax rate of any of Maryland’s largest cities and remaining debt free.
If I were making changes to balance the County’s revenues and expenditures, I would start by looking carefully at expenditure growth, especially ongoing spending commitments that outpace recurring revenue, and prioritizing core functions: public safety, education, transportation, public works, and safety net services. And I would pair budget discipline with a more aggressive economic growth strategy so that, over time, we expand the tax base rather than repeatedly asking more of our residents.
Our County cannot tax its way to long-term fiscal health; it’s not sustainable. We need a more disciplined spending plan, clearer prioritization, and a much stronger focus on private-sector job growth and commercial tax-base expansion. That’s what will ultimately help us balance the budget and protect residents’ quality of life.
Allison Eriksen (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Ricky Fai Mui (R)
The County’s Operating Budget of nearly $8 Billion is sufficient to accommodate the needs of 1.1 million population; as similar sized populations budget a fraction (approx. $2 Billion for Duval and Gwinett Counties). The root cause is excessive spending and lack of oversight. Many $Billions are spent on line items that do little to strengthen our competitive advantage.
When approving the Operating Budget, we must weigh the return on investment (ROI) by the taxpayers. In reviewing the FY27 budget, we see a growth of $300 Million to MCPS, but the MC Fire and Rescue only grew by $1.6 million ( 0.52%). Our community cannot afford to have a bare bones emergency services.
I also do not agree with any lending of funds by leveraging our AAA bond rating. We cannot allow any risk to our county’s financial credibility and trust. Instead, the most prudent course of action is to ensure expenditures do not exceed our existing revenue.
Upon analysis, a reduction of bureaucracy will ensure the most important county government functions: public safety, safe streets, plowed streets, consistent replacement of infrastructure (sewer piping, gas lines, water piping, and electrical power lines), educated children, and business development, and dispute resolution.
Izola Shaw (D)
Raising taxes is not the right solution for Montgomery County’s families and businesses, especially when people are already feeling economic strain.
Instead, I would balance the budget by tightening spending, cutting unnecessary expenditures (including reducing the county’s travel budget), and prioritizing core services like education, public safety, and infrastructure. I would also push for more efficient county operations and smarter use of technology.
Just as important, I believe in expanding our housing options and making Montgomery County more attractive to private employers and new businesses. By supporting both economic growth and housing development, we can broaden our revenue base and make the county more affordable for everyone. This is a better path to balancing revenues and expenditures without putting more financial pressure on our residents.
District 4
Paula Bienenfeld (D)
I oppose Mr. Elrich’s recommendations to increase taxes and oppose the establishment of special taxing districts, which would disadvantage only specific neighborhoods, in particular, minority communities. I will push to decrease these taxes so more families can purchase homes, which creates generational wealth, something we all want. I oppose Mr. Elrich’s recommendations to increase taxes and oppose the establishment of special taxing districts, which would disadvantage only specific neighborhoods, in particular, minority communities. I will push to decrease these taxes so more families can purchase homes, which creates generational wealth, something we all want.
Kate Stewart (D-Incumbent)
The County Executives budget currently before the Council has many concerning proposals. First and foremost, I have concerns about spending down reserves for ongoing expenses. At this point, the majority of the council is against increases in property taxes, and I concur. Residents will already see their tax bills increasing due to increasing property assessments, and this is happening while we see uncertainty in our economic outlook thanks to decisions of the federal administration and an affordability crisis. Further, we have a number of our residents who have been pushed out of federal service and a likelihood of a recession on our horizon. As the Council works though the budget, we must look for savings, we must work with our departments to eliminate duplicative work, and we must work with our unions as well as with MCPS, Montgomery College, MNCPPC and and others to find ways to meet the needs of our residents today as we plan for the future.
Peter “Rocky” Whitesell (D)
The county does face real structural budget pressures, and simply raising taxes is not a long-term solution. That said, I am not going to rule out tax increases in the short term if they truly are necessary to maintain core services.
Where we do raise revenue, I think we should be careful about how we structure it. Taxes that discourage activity and growth, like recordation taxes, are counterproductive, and we should aim to make the system as progressive as possible within the confines of MD tax law.
On the spending side, I would start by taking a hard look at business incentive programs and similar spending meant to influence behavior. In a county where the underlying business environment is already restrictive, these kinds of incentives tend to be inefficient and uneven in who they benefit.
District 5
Charles Kirchman (D)
I am opposed to the current push to increase taxes. The budget expenditures for this year need to be constrained within the available revenues by freezing the budget at current levels. If school construction and building repairs need to be a priority, then other capital projects need to be delayed until that is resolved or prioritize all projects and fund them as the budget allows. Some in the government claim we need more development to build the tax base. If that were true we shouldn’t be in the situation we are currently in.
Kristin Mink (D-Incumbent)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Josephine Salazar (R)
- I do not support County Executive Marc Elrich’s to increase property taxes, income taxes or to establish special taxing districts.
- To establish special taxing districts is discriminatory in nature.
- Our County residents are already burdened by constant higher property tax increases.
- Transfer Property taxes are not acceptable
- Escrow Accounts increased by property taxes appear as second mortgages.
- My recommendation is to establish accountability for expenditures and oversight.
- It can be done.
District 6
Natali Fani-González (D-Incumbent)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Sonia Garcia (D)
No. Montgomery County residents already face a significant tax burden, and families in District 6, many of whom are working-class, are already stretched thin by rising housing, utility, and living costs. Before asking residents to pay more, I would push for a rigorous review of how existing revenue is being spent and whether the county is delivering real value in return.
To balance the budget, I would start by auditing active vendor contracts where the county is not getting full value. One example is Montgomery County’s school bus camera program. Since 2016, it has issued over 412,000 tickets worth more than $100 million — yet the county has only retained approximately $33 million, roughly 33% of total revenue, while the private vendor BusPatrol has collected approximately $67 million, or 60% of everything generated. In FY2025 alone, BusPatrol walked away with $7.7 million out of $12.9 million collected, leaving the county with just $5.2 million. The county has never publicly reported what happened to its share, and no safety outcome data has ever been presented to demonstrate whether this program has meaningfully improved student safety. Meanwhile, 25,000 residents who could not afford the
$250 ticket had their vehicle registrations frozen.
This is one example of a broader pattern. Other jurisdictions have renegotiated similar contracts to retain a far greater share of revenue. Montgomery County has not. That is not acceptable when residents are being asked to pay more. Montgomery County does not have a revenue problem, it has a transparency and priorities problem, and that must be addressed first.
Louella Tham (R)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
District 7
Van Free (D)
I do not support broad tax increases at a time when many residents are already struggling with affordability. While we must fund essential services, we also have a responsibility to ensure government is operating efficiently before asking taxpayers to contribute more.
I would take a closer look at spending priorities, identify areas for cost savings, and improve accountability in how funds are used. That includes evaluating programs for effectiveness and ensuring we are getting measurable results.
Economic growth should also be part of the equation. Expanding the tax base through job creation and business growth can generate sustainable revenue without increasing the burden on residents.
Balancing the budget requires discipline and tough choices. My approach would focus on protecting core services while respecting taxpayers and promoting long-term economic health.
Sharif Hidayat (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Dawn Luedtke (D-Incumbent)
No because residents are facing enough costs and too many are already struggling to afford to live and remain in our County. We must reduce the proposed programmatic increases in County Government and instruct MCPS to make due with a smaller-than-requested increase for next year and the $584.4 million increase it has received over the past four years – a record amount for any four-year stretch. It truly is the Executive’s role to work with the agencies under that branch of government to determine which programs are working, what is duplicative, what governmental housekeeping is in order. I will continue to ask challenging questions of the agencies regarding the programs and services, but there has been a complete unwillingness of this County Executive to engage in that level of executive leadership of the agencies and create a culture of efficiency and analysis of departmental functioning.
Harold Maldonado (R)
With an economy in recession, I do not support the tax increases proposed by Elrich, including higher property and income taxes or the expansion of special taxing districts. MoCo does not have a revenue problem — it has a spending and prioritization problem. Residents are already facing rising housing costs, higher utility bills, and inflation. Asking them to pay more without first fixing how the County spends money is the wrong approach.
Instead of raising taxes, I’d focus on restoring fiscal discipline. That begins with a comprehensive review of the budget to identify waste, duplication, and programs that are not delivering measurable results. We should prioritize core services like public safety, education,
and infrastructure, while scaling back lower-impact spending. I’d also push for zero-based budgeting, requiring departments to justify expenditures rather than relying on automatic increases year after year (e.g., MCPS). In addition, we need to improve efficiency across County government and ensure taxpayer dollars are tied to clear outcomes.
Finally, the long-term solution is economic growth. By creating a more business-friendly environment and expanding the tax base, we can generate sustainable revenue without increasing the burden on residents. Before asking taxpayers for more, government must prove it is using existing resources responsibly.