WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Salary Tax On D.C. Commuters Sparks Controversy

By: Matt Laslo // July 28, 2012
Play associated audio
comments
One lawmaker is proposing a tax on Maryland and Virginia residents who make their income in the District.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnnyvulkan/381941233/in/photostream/
One lawmaker is proposing a tax on Maryland and Virginia residents who make their income in the District.

Washington, D.C. officials are usually allies with Democrats in Virginia and Maryland. But talk of taxing workers who make their income in the District but live in the surrounding suburbs is sparking some intense words between the two sides.

The idea was rekindled after House oversight chairman Darrell Issa brought it up in a recent hearing on D.C. Some Maryland and Virginia Democrats say if it were to pass they would try to move federal agencies out of D.C.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) says D.C. doesn't need the extra revenue.

"The federal government supports the District of Columbia in many ways through the budget, and that federal payment and support is designed to help the District of Columbia, and it does," he says.

D.C. officials have long sought the extra revenue from a commuter tax, but in 2005, a federal court ruled they'd need congressional approval to do it. And without the support of local Democrats it's unlikely to happen.

Arts & Culture

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

Food

NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.

Politics

NPR

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.

Technology

NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.