Tell the Council: No Blank Checks for Developers!
County Executive Marc Elrich has vetoed PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes for Developers) Expedited Bill 2-25—and for good reason. Here’s why this bill is a bad deal for residents:
Massive Loss of Revenue: The bill gives away 100% of property taxes for 20 years to developers, costing the County hundreds of millions—money desperately needed for schools, infrastructure, and services.
No Real Affordable Housing Gains: The bill barely increases affordable housing requirements. It doesn’t require any workforce housing and mostly subsidizes market-rate units.
Corporate Giveaway, No Demonstrated Need: Developers would get millions in tax breaks even if they don't need them—with no proof their projects wouldn’t happen without subsidies.
Undermines Local Businesses: Instead of revitalizing office spaces through programs like MOVE, the bill incentivizes pushing out businesses from partially occupied buildings.
Unfair and Rushed: It rewards some developers while others pay their fair share. Worse, the Council rushed the bill through with minimal public input and no spending cap to protect taxpayers.
Call to Action:
The County Council votes TOMORROW at 10:05 AM on whether to override the veto.
Residents must act now!
Email Councilmembers today! Just click on link and tell them: Stand With Residents, Not Developers—Reject the Veto Override!
The at-large councilmembers:
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz
Councilmember Evan Glass
Councilmember Will Jawando - The only one to listen to residents and voted NO on PILOT
Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles
Email and phone here and pasted below Contact Us - Montgomery County Council, Maryland -Not into emails, then call, but be heard, because your voice matters!
