By Adam Pagnucco. In Part Two, we found out that MCPS’s actual spending on instructional salaries regularly falls short of its appropriations. What happens to…
Budget and Taxes
Pay the Teachers, Part Two
By Adam Pagnucco. In Part One, we examined the basics on MCPS’s operating budget in preparation for answering one question: what happens to teacher salary…
Pay the Teachers, Part One
By Adam Pagnucco. County Executive Marc Elrich and the school board are marketing his 10 percent property tax increase on the notion that it is…
Would More Cops Make a Difference?
By Adam Pagnucco. One of my readers – former Council Member George Leventhal – asked me the following question on Twitter. I have appreciated your…
MoCo Government Replies on Police Budget
By Adam Pagnucco. Yesterday, I posted an analysis of the county executive’s recommended police department budget that noted it did not contain a net increase…
Is Elrich Hiring More Cops?
By Adam Pagnucco. Violent crime and property crime have increased in recent years. At the same time, County Executive Marc Elrich is asking residents to…
MoCo Property Taxes in Context
By Adam Pagnucco. In making the case for his 10 percent property tax hike, County Executive Marc Elrich is claiming that our property tax rate…
The Hand of the King
By Adam Pagnucco. Montgomery County voters don’t like property tax hikes. In 1990, 2008 and 2020, county voters approved different versions of a charter amendment…
Mink and Jawando Introduce Another Tax Hike
By Adam Pagnucco. Determined to not be outdone by County Executive Marc Elrich’s 10 percent property tax hike, Council Members Kristin Mink and Will Jawando…
Unions Praise Tax Hike
By Adam Pagnucco. All six county employee unions have issued a joint statement praising County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposal to raise property taxes by 10…