Tracy Gordon provided a statement to the Maryland state government’s Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures on September 14, 2026. Gordon’s testimony focused on opportunities for reforming Maryland’s local government revenue system, highlighting five key points:

• Like many states, Maryland faces a long-term gap between revenues and spending.
• Expanding the local revenue toolkit could help counties and municipalities prepare for potential shifts in either service responsibilities or intergovernmental transfers.
• There is no perfect tax; every jurisdiction must weigh alternatives against their own revenue capacity, background conditions, and preferences.
• The property tax has many positive attributes and, with some modifications, could perform even better.
• Taking a more integrated look at state and local finances together over the longer term would be a solid next step.