Renew Baltimore continues to fight for the passage of a legislative initiative

Renew Baltimore attorneys continue to advocate for the proposed property tax cap to be placed on the ballot in November.

The measure would gradually reduce the city's property taxes over seven years. The group had enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot, but the city's Board of Elections said it violated Maryland law.

A judge recently sided with the election commission.

The Maryland Supreme Court will hear the case one week from today.

In their recent court filing, Renew Baltimore's lawyers argued that the proposal does not strip the mayor and city council of the authority to set the tax rate.

The lawyers also argued that the proposal did not violate the city charter or the state constitution.

It is also argued that a reduction in property taxes would lead to higher revenues for the city of Baltimore.

Critics argue that lowering the city's property tax would result in lower revenues and negatively impact city services.

Anirban Basu of Renew Baltimore said the opposite would happen.

“There will be more investment, more people moving to the city. And I believe when that happens, you'll see scaffolding everywhere. You'll see moldings being torn down and bricks being repointed. You'll see shiny marble steps. You'll see vacant housing being converted into occupied housing,” Basu said. “You'll see more taxpayers in the city. You'll see a larger tax base. As it turns out, that's what happened several decades ago in San Francisco and Boston when they initiated property tax reform through voting reforms.”