Loss of itemized deduction would cause hardship

Wes Moore campaigned for governor on transparency. That was before he blew through his inherited surplus and Maryland’s rainy-day fund. As Maryland faces what may be unprecedented fiscal deficits, Governor Moore proposes eliminating itemized tax deductions while claiming he will lower taxes for middle class taxpayers (“Gov. Wes Moore borrowed pieces of the $1.6 billion Fair Share plan for his budget. Its architects want him to go further.” Feb. 5).

For many taxpayers including middle class folks like me, removing itemized tax deductions constitutes a de facto tax increase, an income raiser for the state. Moore surely knows that as he presents it otherwise. Replacing itemization with a doubled standardized deduction helps fewer families, costing the state less money. The doubled standardized deduction benefits families with several children which, with Maryland’s demographics, will be many low-income families.

Families of higher income, especially small business income, must itemize taxes and will lose income, bringing larger amounts into state coffers. Hardest hit will be seniors with no dependents who itemize due to medical expenses, assisted living expenses and other deductible living expenses. I am a fixed income senior with a stroke victim wife and disabled adult child. Between us, my medical expenses are extensive. Eliminating itemization will cost me thousands of dollars I cannot afford to lose, especially with the other tax increases our fiscally irresponsible state government is about to impose and the huge energy bills their failed green energy policies have helped create.

I and others will have to cut charitable giving and overall spending considerably which will impact sales taxes, business income and business income taxes. Less business means less employment, another blow to the tax base. It is the frightening, negative yet inevitable economic cycle created by the overspending and regressive taxation of our state government. Citizens will now suffer financially and in quality of life for a governing philosophy that derailed California and was abandoned by our neighboring states who now have budget surpluses.

The Wes Moore tax code move is basically a transfer of state tax dollars based on economic status, less from the low income, and more from middle and upper income. If Governor Moore is going to raise income by eliminating itemized deductions, he should stop claiming he will not raise taxes on the middle class. Lots of seniors, low dependent families and individuals with a heavy medical burden are going to suffer financially and the governor should own up to the true purpose and effects of his political maneuver.

— Ron Boone, Timonium

A tree fell — and BGE responded lightning fast

At 5:23 p.m. on Feb. 16, I heard a “crack” and my electricity went out in my house along with a number of homes in the same area. In addition to the loss of electricity, a tree knocked over a second tree in my next door neighbor’s yard and both trees were completely blocking a road.

Baltimore Gas and Electric was out working on repairs throughout the night and, in the middle of the night, the trees were cut into small pieces and placed on both sidewalks, effectively opening the street by early morning (“More than 20K still without power due to high winds in Baltimore region,” Feb. 17).

A tree service came by to cut the remnants of the trees into sawdust. The tree service completed its work at 9:30 a.m. That was only 16 hours after the trees toppled over. A good job was done by all!

— Mark Fenster, Baltimore

Where is Justin Tucker’s apology to massage therapists?

Nudity may be inoffensive to some but does that mean it’s inoffensive to professional massage therapists? Perhaps not to some but I don’t know any working professional who invites ejaculate to be left in their workstations (“Sun owes Justin Tucker an apology,” Feb. 13).

The utter nonsensical suggestion that being subjected to a man’s putrid sexual perversions is somehow an overreaction is as stupid as it is outlandish. Hey, don’t just imagine going to a nude beach, men. Imagine another man displaying his manhood for you to see while gazing at you, stroking your thighs and then leaving you ejaculate on your desk when you turn your back. Instead of a beach, let’s imagine what and where the allegations truly are — not the watered-down imaginings of somebody who wasn’t there and wasn’t subjected to perverted treatment. I think some Baltimore Ravens fans are calling for the wrong party to offer apologies.

— Randall L. Lombard, American Canyon, California