Sales Tax

HAGERSTOWN -- Cort Meinelschmidt, a newcomer to politics, is taking aim at John P. Donoghue, Hagerstown's state delegate since 1991. Meinelschmidt on Thursday announced his intention to run as a Republican for the Subdistrict 2C seat in the 2010 election. Donoghue is the only Democrat representing Washington County in Annapolis. He said in a phone interview he'll seek a sixth four-year term. His subdistrict roughly matches the city's boundaries. During a campaign event at Potomac Bead Co. in downtown Hagerstown, Meinelschmidt mentioned taxation and health care as important issues.

Even if I had done something completely idiotic, my father always found a way to make it a teaching moment. The man, who taught history for 30 years, had some serious patience for his students as well as his kids. Me? Not so much. I'm a work in progress. However, in his honor, I thought this would be a good time to take a teaching moment from the state budget crisis that still is strangling Pennsylvania from the steps of Harrisburg to the trees of Potter County; from the art museums in Philadelphia to the Ragged Edge Library in Chambersburg.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Housing sales were a bit of a bright spot last month in a mostly grim-looking economy in Washington County. In all, 82 properties were sold in March compared to 79 a year ago, according to Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc. The increase, the county's first since October, boosted the local real estate market to $15.3 million, though that still was a bit smaller than a year ago as prices hung back. Meanwhile, new information from the Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury's office shows consumers and contractors still are holding onto their dollars tightly.

ANNAPOLIS -- Some are calling the alcoholic beverage industry "recession proof," but Washington County business owners say it won't resist financial pressure for long if Maryland lawmakers vote to increase taxes on beer and liquor. Several bills being considered by the Maryland General Assembly would raise taxes on those products as much as 400 percent. Travis Sarno, owner of Wooden Keg Liquors in Hagerstown, said an increase in alcohol taxes would drive up the cost he pays for his inventory, and ultimately that cost would be passed on to consumers.

Why not tax natural gas, instead of Pennsy citizens? To the editor: The polling data is clear: Pennsylvanians are overwhelmingly against allowing counties to increase their sales tax by 1 percent. A recent Quinnipiac University Poll cited the opposition at 69-28 statewide. However, like the Commonwealth, local governments are facing budget shortfalls and need assistance for their coffers. I believe the burgeoning natural gas drilling industry that is rampant across the state can provide that financial aid without a cost to local taxpayers.

Students, teachers rally for Scotland School WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- Franklin County legislators on Wednesday morning quickly identified several proposals in Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's draft budget that would affect their constituency, not the least of which is the planned closing of Scotland School for Veterans Children. In addition to closing the school June 30, Rendell proposed allowing counties to raise the sales tax, consolidating school districts, and committing $42.5 million for rail and aviation improvement projects.

Editor's note: Each week, The Herald-Mail invites readers to answer poll questions on its Web site, www.herald-mail.com. Readers also may submit comments about the poll question when voting. Each Sunday, a sampling of edited reader comments will run in The Herald-Mail. Last week there were three poll questions. The first question was: Would receiving a break on your property taxes make it worthwhile to have slot machines in your state? "It's like taking a bucket of water from the deep end of a pool and dumping it into the shallow end. Funny thing - the water in the shallow end doesn't get any deeper.

ROUZERVILLE, Pa. - Bob Backer remembers enthusiasm felt in Rouzerville just before Wal-Mart and Lowe's came to town two years ago. "Once we heard they were coming, it kind of re-engerized the area," said Backer, president of the Rouzerville Business Association and a 25-year Rouzerville businessman. "I think that our growth began when we started the things with Wal-Mart and Lowe's," said Ann Backer, his wife and fellow RBA board member. The big box stores have been strategically placed to usher in an era of commercial development and draw shoppers from out of state, according to Washington Township (Pa.)