In short, the question before the Talbot County Council last night was a proposal for the Council to sign a letter of support to the Eastern Shore delegation of Maryland lawmakers to pass a 2% increase in the accommodation tax collected on overnight visitors in the next Annapolis legislative session.
While the proposal itself seemed like a modest increase to support local tourism, some of the region’s hospitality sector leaders expressed some opposition to the overall impact that a 6% tax would have on their businesses and their ability to compete competitively for guests.
Ultimately, those concerns were compelling enough for the proposal to be defeated on a 3-2 vote.
Here are some of the highlights of that debate.
This video is approximately 23 minutes in length.
Judith Zinter says
I am not a merchant, only a resident; but I definitely object to imposing another tax on our visitors. We should thank them for coming and spending their money in our town, not tax them!
Brian Wroten says
We’re one of the biggest counties for tourism and we have the lowest accommodations tax of any county in Maryland. The BnB owners won once again at the expense of residents.
Marc E. Lackritz says
This debate brings back memories of Sen Russell Long (D., LA), the longtime Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, who described the opposition to increased taxation as “Don’t tax him, don’t tax me; tax the man behind the tree!” Here the visitors would become the folks behind the tree🤪. And tourism would take the hit, not benefit, IMHO.
Cornelia Heckenbach says
Tourism is essential for the county. Residents really benefit from the tourism as well. The towns have a much larger variety of shops, restaurants and businesses if there is demand . More interest in the county creates also more values for residents properties, creates more jobs – it is all a chain reaction.
I agree with Judith Zinter !
Eric Ploeg says
Suggesting another tax increase only reminds me of where I moved from 21 years ago. Perhaps more discussion is needed about controlling expenditures? Government shouldn’t be expected to do everything.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Curious, we pay a tax for accommodations in Italy and are fine with it. It’s nominal.
What the heck is it with people and taxes? I get it, we don’t want to be gorged but this will not affect demand at all.
So, someone visiting St Michael’s on their boat or BMW from WDC will bulk at this? Seriously?
Rich Smith says
Indeed! This is just an increase of 2%. On a $250 room, that’s only an extra $5. Most people wouldn’t even notice.
Karen Hayes says
In our area of Bend, Oregon, there is a 10.4% “transient tax”. You would think that would discourage visitors to our beautiful area, but they flock to it, love it, then buy property here. The accommodation tax will not deter visitors to lovely Saint Michaels.
Ted Wasserfield says
The real question was, “should tourism money go in the pockets of small business owners who sacrificed and invested in our county, or should that money go to the county, who rakes these businesses and tourists over the coals for taxes anyway?” I think that extra lodging money going into the business owners’ pocket is a better investment than giving it to the county.
Martha Sparks says
Per Maryland State law, the tax is paid by the visitor, not the business owner. It is the responsibility of the business owner to collect the tax from the visitor and remit the tax to the County. It works similar to the state sales tax. Businesses collect a sales tax on the goods purchased and then remit that tax to the state.
Amanda Smith says
Per’ Maryland’s Star Democrat front page today.
“Dead Body found Days Inn Easton”
The County needs to do better not just tax the issues away.