Successful Californians flee state after tax hike.....can Maryland be next?

[Bloomin Onion]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013...te-over-taxes/

O'Malley loves to look toward the most liberal states like California and New York and New Jersey for inspiration. Look at what is happening in California now according to this article. The most desirable and productive people are leaving while illegal immigrants and other smoochers and lowlives are being welcomed.

And I don't get why Maryland needs a higher tax RATE than other states. South Carolina for example has MUCH lower gas, alcohol, tobacco and income taxes. Yall might argue that South Carolina is not as wealthy and the cost of living is lower and the state needs less money. BUT if Maryland's income is higher, then using the SAME tax rate Maryland would still collect MORE money. 4% of 60,000 is more than 4% of 30,000. And with sales tax and cost of living, a TV costs more in Maryland than South Carolina, so using the same tax rate Maryland would still collect more taxes from that TV being sold than South Carolina. So why are our taxes at a higher RATE than other states? We would still be paying MORE dollar wise.

[bmore_ken]

Why are you still here?

[The Astute Reader(tm)]

Why are you still here?

Maybe he is not among the ranks of the "successful?" That would be my guess at any rate.

[Spot72]

foxnews

Stopped reading there. By the way, Maryland's population is expanding and it is the richest per capita state in the country.

[Marshan Man]

"Smoochers" are moving in? Do they have mono?

[bmore_ken]

"Smoochers" are moving in? Do they have mono?

Maybe the "lowlives" want to get a "highlive"

[LadyHollman]

Alrighty, so maybe SC can woo the Californians who left?

[Bloomin Onion]

Stopped reading there. By the way, Maryland's population is expanding and it is the richest per capita state in the country.

You haven't answered the question. If Maryland's per capital income is high, when WHY do our taxes have to be at a higher RATE???? Wouldn't the state automatically collect more in taxes in terms of a dollar amount? But why is our tax RATE higher than most other states?

[Omaha Beach]

Why are you still here?

Maybe for the same reason i am Mr. Ken. A wife who refuses to move away from chidren and grandkids. Sigh!

[slapshot]

Stopped reading there. By the way, Maryland's population is expanding and it is the richest per capita state in the country.

True, but look at the fundamental reason for why that is?

It's expanding and is the richest, per capita, because of all the federal workers and contractors that live off of the federal dollar. Maryland experienced the least amount of recession pain because Maryland's economy is artifically propted up by Federal $$. Other than maybe crabcakes, Maryland is not known for producing or creating anything.

Regardless of the reason, however, high taxes will, and have been driving out retirees that have to live on a fixed income. While I enjoy my quality of life, now, I can't say that it will be the same when I am retired. Trying to live off a fixed income changes the equation, entirely.

[bmore_ken]

While I enjoy my quality of life, now, I can't say that it will be the same when I am retired.

You're planning on staying here when you retire?

[slapshot]

You're planning on staying here when you retire?

We are currently looking at retirment places outside of Md. No decision has been made, however.

My dad, who is an ultra-conservative when it comes to Federal waste and spending, once said - Learn to live within your means...followed by, "I wish the state and Federal Governments would do the same". As I have gotten older, and approach retiirement, I have come to appreciate my dad's wisdom, and have taken on a conservative stance as far as state and Federal spending goes....

[pmore108]

True, but look at the fundamental reason for why that is?

It's expanding and is the richest, per capita, because of all the federal workers and contractors that live off of the federal dollar. Maryland experienced the least amount of recession pain because Maryland's economy is artifically propted up by Federal $$. Other than maybe crabcakes, Maryland is not known for producing or creating anything.

Regardless of the reason, however, high taxes will, and have been driving out retirees that have to live on a fixed income. While I enjoy my quality of life, now, I can't say that it will be the same when I am retired. Trying to live off a fixed income changes the equation, entirely.

I agree with your idea that the MD economy is driven largely by the federal dollars coming out of D.C. but at one time Baltimore was a large port and had a large steel industry as well. Additionally I would argue that the healthcare industry in MD is quite healthy (a counter argument could be made that it is at least partly driven by federal money) and that certain hospitals (namely UMD-shock trauma and Hopkins) are leaders in areas.

[AtticusII]

And I don't get why Maryland needs a higher tax RATE than other states. South Carolina for example has MUCH lower gas, alcohol, tobacco and income taxes…And with sales tax and cost of living, a TV costs more in Maryland than South Carolina, so using the same tax rate Maryland would still collect more taxes from that TV being sold than South Carolina. So why are our taxes at a higher RATE than other states?

I'm guessing folks don't pay too much attention to what you write, but don’t you still owe the truth?:

1. SC income tax rates are actually MUCH higher than MD. SC taxes all income above $14,000 at 7% (!!!). At that income level, MD’s income tax rate is 4.75%; it never reaches 7%. Ever.
   
   
2. SC alcohol tax rate is also MUCH higher than MD.
   
   
3. SC and MD have the same state sales tax (6%), but SC allows local sales tax (MD does not), so average sales tax in SC is higher.

Well, you did get 2 out of 5 right…

Sources:

Income Tax

Sales Tax

The others...

[slapshot]

I agree with your idea that the MD economy is driven largely by the federal dollars coming out of D.C. but at one time Baltimore was a large port and had a large steel industry as well. Additionally I would argue that the healthcare industry in MD is quite healthy (a counter argument could be made that it is at least partly driven by federal money) and that certain hospitals (namely UMD-shock trauma and Hopkins) are leaders in areas.

You nailed it, "at one time".

I think the port of Baltimore currently ranks 17th in the world in term of tonage.

As far as the health care industry - yes, definitiley heavily supported by Federal $$.

"According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States spent more on health care per capita ($7,146), and more on health care as percentage of its GDP (15.2%), than any other nation in 2008. The United States had the fourth highest level of government health care spending per capita ($3,426), behind three countries with higher levels of GDP per capita: Monaco, Luxembourg, and Norway. A 2001 study in five states found that medical debt contributed to 46.2% of all personal bankruptcies and in 2007, 62.1% of filers for bankruptcies claimed high medical expenses."

[bmore_ken]

I'm guessing folks don't pay too much attention to what you write, but don’t you still owe the truth?:

My guess is most folks here sort of tune him out

[AtticusII]

I should have as well, but it's like stopping to watch a car wreck. My bad.

[LadyHollman]

My guess is most folks here sort of tune him out

IIRC, Bloomin is a "she".

[bmore_ken]

IIRC, Bloomin is a "she".

It takes me a while to figure out gender with some of these user names

[ybnormal]

As the tax base dwindles due to corporations, small businesses and taxpayers fleeing this state due to the ever-increasing tax burden, taxes will continue to climb in order to fuel the bleeding-heart gravy train supplying those sucking the state's resources dry. Question is, who'll pay for all the "freebie" programs once the train comes to a halt? Certainly not the freeloaders.

"The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."
Margaret Thatcher