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If you live in Howard County, you may wish to follow the progress of the
bill described below. If you are a senior and own your home, you may be
eligible for a tax credit. The bill will be introduced on Monday, March
1. You can read the actual bill by going to the link at the bottom of
the article. <br></div><div><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><font size="2">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland</font></div><div><font size="2">410-715-9596</font></div><div><font size="2"><br></font></div><div><font size="2">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<br></font></div><div><b><font size="2"></font></b></div><div><b><font size="2"><br></font></b></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail_quote"><br><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">District 2</b> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:ojones@howardcountymd.gov" target="_blank">ojones@howardcountymd.gov</a>></span><br>Date: Wed, Feb 24, 2021 at 5:08 PM<br>Subject: Unanimous Support for Aging in Place Legislation for Seniors and Veterans<br>To: <<a href="mailto:samaneki@earthlink.net" target="_blank">samaneki@earthlink.net</a>><br></div><br><br><u></u>
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<div style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:24px;color:rgb(14,16,26);font-weight:bold;font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">Howard County Council Unanimously Supports Aging in Place Tax Credit Legislation for Seniors and Veterans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-style:italic">Ellicott City, MD (February 22, 2021) </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">– The Howard County Council has filed a bill to amend the existing County tax credit for seniors who are 65 years or older and who have lived in the County for at least 35 years. The credit also applies to retired members of the Armed Forces of the United States, and their surviving spouses, but those individuals are not affected by the Bill. Council Bill 23-2021 is the first legislative proposal introduced and co-sponsored by all five Council Members. </span>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px">"Since 2019, my office has tracked the General Assembly’s enabling legislation in support of our aging in place community. This historic legislative proposal has garnered support from all five Council Members and would best assist valued members of our community,” said Councilmember Jones. "This tax incentive is necessary as we stride through a global pandemic that has impacted thousands of residents."</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">“I am so pleased that we are able to provide this assistance to those who have helped support our County for many years as taxpaying residents. Through their financial contributions, these longtime residents have helped make Howard County one of the best places to live in the Country. This bill recognizes their commitment to our community,” said Councilmember Jung.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">If enacted, Council Bill 23-2021 would provide a tax credit for seniors who are 65 years or older and who have lived in the same dwelling for more than 35 years. The legislative proposal phases in the reduction of the current 40 years residency to 35 years over three years. The existing 20 percent tax credit for five non-consecutive years on assessed property value of $500,000 or less remains unchanged.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">The Bill does not change the ability of retired members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are 65 years or older and their surviving spouses who have not remarried to apply for the aging in place tax credit. </span></div>
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<div><span style="color:rgb(32,31,30);font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">“Over the years, I have talked with hundreds of older Howard County residents who struggle with the increasing financial burden of retiring in our community. This legislation takes an important step to make the Aging in Place Tax Credit more accessible for our older neighbors,” said Councilwoman Rigby. “I am excited that the Council has put this proposal forward, and I am grateful to Councilmembers Jones and Jung for their leadership on drafting this legislation.” </span></div>
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<div><span style="color:rgb(32,31,30);font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">“What a perfect time to improve upon our Aging-In-Place Tax Credit, during a pandemic when we’re still not able to vaccinate the eldest and most vulnerable among us and public health guidance still advises they stay healthy, at home. I am delighted to join a unanimous Council in our support of this bill,” said Councilmember Walsh.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">“Through their decades of property tax payments and other contributions, thousands of long-time residents helped create much of what we enjoy in Howard County. I hope this expanded tax credit will help them remain a part of our community for years to come,” said Councilmember Yungmann.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">Adopted in 2016 by the General Assembly and later by the Howard County Council, the “Elderly Individuals and Veterans” tax code established a tax credit for residents who are at least 65 years of age, have lived in the same dwelling for at least 40 years, or is a retired member of the United States Armed Forces that meets the above qualifications.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px"> </span>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">In 2018 the General Assembly added language to include, “surviving spouses of retired service members,” who have not remarried are now eligible recipients of the property tax credit. Moreover, in 2019, the General Assembly gave the Howard County Council the authority to amend the duration of years living in the same dwelling (capped at 40 years).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">The Howard County Council strongly encourages advocates, seniors, and retired members of the Armed Forces to submit written testimony in support of Council Bill 23-2021 by emailing </span><a href="mailto:councilmail@howardcountymd.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(74,110,224);font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">councilmail@howardcountymd.gov</a><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(74,110,224)">.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span>
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<span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">The proposed legislation was pre-filed on February 18, 2021, and will be introduced at the Council’s Legislative Session on Monday, March 1, 2021. Testimony will be accepted at the Legislative Public Hearing on Monday, March 15, 2021. Howard County residents may sign up to testify after March 5th by visiting </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zWlrMRYUINecgjYG0S4yL8xO7fhCZf5qjVic8-B9aOPq2QGNuKZBKoE1PYN9Da2xYGisZtnsuxBpVJoJirwjpTXyw8mcDusFG4YAgP99yEyXqUt6LdPOr8aM1PFdhnf2I8z_Nf75GD3W50Pyn98SGkR_T9YQQU6bZsQbP3U8scQ=&c=1LnZS5bWDS-AL-9BKHDcap-0w_IAF7kYNLh11UPkoHOGvp_JqsyiRA==&ch=WtRzbZ9u8aw2RSWReaFpJe5AFTTDWIRr_zft3pv1YlkXyQBtF3AjXA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(74,110,224);font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">https://apps.howardcountymd.gov/otestimony/</a><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(74,110,224)">.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span>
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<span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">To read Council Bill 23-2021, please visit </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zWlrMRYUINecgjYG0S4yL8xO7fhCZf5qjVic8-B9aOPq2QGNuKZBKryroGl8QtDuRA9mMYTADiN_EDsgc76n7JuPPF2-PpSd-18GV2hesMrMSWrXRvAfBuhhQHaT4xrDYXm3uz8nxag=&c=1LnZS5bWDS-AL-9BKHDcap-0w_IAF7kYNLh11UPkoHOGvp_JqsyiRA==&ch=WtRzbZ9u8aw2RSWReaFpJe5AFTTDWIRr_zft3pv1YlkXyQBtF3AjXA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:blue;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/37wI9u2</a><span style="font-family:Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif">.</span>
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<span>District 2<span> | </span></span><span>3430 Court House Dr<span>, </span></span><span></span><span></span><span>Ellicott City, MD 21043</span><span></span>
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