Tax break on military pensions makes sense

The Baltimore Sun’s recent editorial concerning Gov. Wes Moore’s initiative to increase the exemption for military pensions from state income tax was not well received by some readers (“Should Maryland give a $50M bonus to military retirees?” Feb. 17). In fact, it was perceived as whining.

You focused on the smaller issues and missed the larger one. In this case, favorable tax consideration of military retirement pay could bring and retain people and resources to Maryland that would improve the state and its financial foundation. As a retiree of the U.S. Navy, I know firsthand that tax burdens weigh heavily on where a retiree lands after military service.

If military retirees are as well off as you surmised, then I would assume they have investment portfolios and the ability for homeownership. Therefore, while a portion of retirement pension would be exempt from state income tax, Maryland could still reap taxes on their investment returns and real estate.

There are also secondary effects to attracting military retirees. They have already spent a career in public service and have a propensity to continue serving the public in some manner to improve their communities.

Governor Moore’s initiative is good. Think big and get over your small-ball approach. Attracting and retaining military retirees is good for Maryland, and lowering barriers to attract people is the forward thinking policy we need.

— Joseph W. Murphy, Annapolis

Mass incarceration won’t make Baltimore safer

I strongly urge Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and all those who support longer sentences to visit The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration in Montgomery, Alabama, to get an understanding of what they are supporting (“Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates wants longer gun sentences despite opposing research,” Feb. 15).

— Evelyn Omega Cannon, BaltimoreThe writer is a retired Baltimore City Circuit Court judge.

Blame Towson crime on lack of parenting

I have to disagree with the comments by Mark Formwalt regarding the tragic shooting and death in Towson (“After 17-year-old dies in shooting, businesses fear consequences of crime in downtown Towson,” Feb. 22). He said that he “feels horrible for them because there’s nothing for kids to do” and says that he blames the community for failing to provide safe activities for young people.

The responsibility belongs to the parents and families for failing to teach their children that shooting someone is not an acceptable form of entertainment when they have nothing to do. The vast majority of teenagers do not shoot people for sport.

— Patricia Turlington, Cockeysville

Choose presidents by their actions, not age

Should President Joe Biden run for reelection or not (“What does it take to be president? If you’ve got it, we want documentation.” Feb. 21)?

Those of us in the older generation know this: We may not be getting any prettier or more handsome, but with every day we’re getting wiser. If we can pass health tests that reveal nothing serious or progressive, we can present serious competition in this category of wisdom.

Let’s choose our presidential candidates from how they reveal what they have to offer by their actions.

— Eritha Yardley, Baltimore

To want to be president is automatic disqualifier

In regard to The Baltimore Sun editorial, “What does it take to be president? If you’ve got it, we want documentation” (Feb. 21), George Will said it best: If you actually want the job, you’re automatically disqualified.

— Steve Horn, Westminster