Here we go again. The Montgomery County Council wants to raise property taxes by more than 3%, and—surprise—it’s “for the children.” Because apparently, if you slap that phrase on any bloated spending package, residents are supposed to just nod, smile, and fork over more of their hard-earned money.
Let’s be honest: the only thing rising faster than our taxes is our disappointment with the results. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are floundering. Math proficiency? Falling. English proficiency? Plummeting. Graduation rates? Slipping year after year. We’re not “investing in the future”—we’re subsidizing failure.
Despite spending more than ever per student, the return on that investment is embarrassingly poor. Classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are stretched thin, and the school board seems more interested in political posturing than academic excellence. And yet, Marc Elrich and his allies on the County Council have the audacity to claim they need more of your money to fix the mess they’ve overseen for years.
Worse still, this isn’t just about money—it’s about power and control. Remember the recent uproar over parents wanting to opt their children out of controversial curriculum topics? MCPS and the Council essentially said “tough luck.” Parents were silenced, dismissed, and ignored. So let’s get this straight: we’re being told to pay more and keep our mouths shut?
Let’s not forget the timing here either. Families are struggling with inflation, skyrocketing grocery bills, and rising housing costs. And in the middle of that, the Council wants to add hundreds—or even thousands—more to your annual tax bill? That’s not just tone-deaf—it’s insulting.
The real question we should be asking is this: if all this money is going to “help the children,” then why are the kids doing worse year after year? The data doesn’t lie—but apparently, the Council hopes you aren’t paying attention.
Here’s a radical idea: instead of raising taxes, let’s demand real accountability. Let’s audit the bloated MCPS bureaucracy. Let’s focus on academics instead of activism. Let’s bring parents back to the table. And maybe—just maybe—we’ll start seeing results that justify the price tag.
Until then, no more blank checks. Not one more cent. Our kids—and our taxpayers—deserve better.
—Carol Hughes
Concerned Montgomery County Resident
Taxpayer, Parent, Voter.
Direct Line News is a Maryland-based free-access publication committed to the Republican reform tradition.
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