Local democrats vote against bringing a tax intercept program back to Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel state Democrats blocked a local bill that would have withheld tax refunds from anyone with an outstanding warrant out for their arrest in a near party-line vote at the Friday morning delegation meeting.
The bill would have rekindled a relationship between Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Department and the Office of Comptroller Peter Franchot, in which individuals with a warrant out for their arrest are notified by the comptroller that they cannot access their tax refund until they resolve their warrant.
The future of the tax intercept program is unclear, as it was cross-filed in the Senate by Sen. Ed Reilly, R-Crofton, who has tried to get it across the finish line in previous sessions. Since the bill would only bring the program to Anne Arundel, it will likely be subject to “local courtesy” with lawmakers from other counties voting in accordance with the delegation opinion. Lack of support from the local delegation may end the bill’s run.
In the Senate, it has yet to be voted out of the committee.
The bill encourages people to go to court and take care of their warrant so they can get their tax return, rather than waiting until the warrant is served, said House sponsor Del. Michael Malone, R-Crofton.
Read more: https://www.capitalgazette.com/politics/ac-cn-delegation-vote-20200228-20200228-vgxto5a3mjcjzlr2rn2nw3nzkm-story.html
(Annapolis Capital Gazette)