Renew Baltimore

A grassroots effort by Baltimore city residents to make Baltimore more equitable, competitive and opportunistic for all.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

“Renew Baltimore will be seeking appropriate judicial review of this decision in the Baltimore City Circuit Court. We are confident that the tens of thousands of Baltimore citizens who support a fair and competitive tax rate will ultimately prevail.”

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

“Renew Baltimore disagrees strongly with the decision made by the Election Director of the Baltimore City Board of Elections to disregard the will of over 23,000 Baltimore City residents who demand real change to Baltimore City’s unfair property tax rate.”

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@susan_repko @MsHallieMiller @justin_fenton You should know we don't set the rules. We also found this requirement absurd. Please take it up with the Board of Elections.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@GBolognaCL @emilyopilo “With many more petitions expected to arrive after the deadline, we call on our elected leaders to finally take action to reduce Baltimore’s exorbitant property tax rate - more than double every other jurisdiction in Maryland."

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

MDCEP’s embrace of the failed City status quo is also a misguided defense of a key obstacle to Black wealth creation.  High property tax rates, reduce the return on housing investment – the primary method by which most people start to build wealth.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

For a summary with reference to Baltimore, see:  Steve H. Hanke and Stephen J.K. Walters, “Financing Urban Revitalization:  A Pro-Growth Template,” Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, vol. 30, no. 3, Special Issue 2018, pp. 47-54.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@odetteramos As for the legality, check with Judge Andre Davis, former City Soliciter. He will be happy to guide you through the legality of this initiative.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@odetteramos Plenty other cities have done this and seen significant increases in investment and new residents. You are elected to find the solutions and devise remedies! And you have six years to do it. Finally, we’ll have a Democratic governor in Annapolis who will finally do right by Balt.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@odetteramos @LiveBaltimore Indeed, we have an abundance of vacant housing - owners have determined they’re worthless. Effectively they are right under the current tax structure. To invest in those properties to make them habitable and then to be saddled with a 2.48% tax rate in perpetuity is an obstacle.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@odetteramos And several voted for you! Where’s the plan Councilwoman? Baltimore has lost ANOTHER 10,000 residents since the last Census. That means a further dwindling tax base.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@odetteramos @mdeconomy Our coalition is politically diverse. We have many Democrats (some of whom voted for you!) and even some Republicans. We would be happy to talk to you more about the options the city has at its disposal for avoiding any revenue shortfalls.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@odetteramos @mdeconomy Property taxes that are double those in the counties cause affordable housing stock to be limited in the City.

[Renew Baltimore @Renew_Baltimore]

@odetteramos @mdeconomy Mayor SRB’s initiative was helpful, but in recent years City Hall has failed to lead on this important issue. We are excited to restart the conversation and hold our elected officials accountable.