57.-2, VoLLII No. 3 Wednesday, October 28,1992 CONSERVATIVE ALAN KEYES SPEAKS BRIEFLY TO STUDENTS By Jay Lichtenauer Editor-in-Chief Alan Keyes took less than ten minutes to speak to students in the cafeteria Octo­ ber 14. The Republican candidate for Senator expressed both the general sen­ timents ofconservatives, and his opposi­ tion to incumbent Senator Barbara Mikulski. Keyes believes that there is “too much of big bureaucracies and big govern­ ments,” and that “we need to put power bade in the hands of people.” To help accomplish this, Keyes suggests lower GAVIN MILLER taxes. Although severely cosmetically altered, the bridge was declared structurally sound. Responding to the questions regarding Clinton’s character which surfaced in the Presidantial debates, Keyes said “I don’t Gas Tanker Explosion on 1-270 think it’s enough to say that Bill Clinton is a liar.” He suggested rather, that people look at the ideological differ­ ences seperating Clinton and Bush, and Snarls Early Morning Traffic take a critical look at Clinton’s ideologi­ cal stand. By Gavin Miller Route 355). On education, Keyes supports vouch­ Spur Staff Writer As of Friday, the cause of the accident ers. “With vouchers, you’re giving par­ was still “under investigation” according ents the ability to contract out—public or The calm pre-dawn of Monday morning to Barbara Windsor, spokesperson for Hahn private,” said Keyes. He claims that last week was shattered when a tanker Transportation Inc. of New Market, Md., parochial schools run more efficiently truck hauling 5,000 gallons of gasoline on the company which owned the tanker. than public schools. Parochial schools Specific questions to Hahn Transporta­ the 1-270 spur crashed into a concrete abut­ will educate for two thousand dollars a GAVIN MILLER ment supporting the Capital Beltway, ex­ tion Inc. regarding the investigation were See KEYES, p. 2 Alan Keyes gives a brief speech in cafeteria. ploding into a violent conflagration that referred to Trooper Ken Olin of the Mary­ claimed the lives of two people and caused land State Police, who is currently in charge commuter traffic to halt for hours. of the investigation. Trooper Olin was un­ FickerAmendment Sparks Many MC-R students and professors available for comment. were caught in the stopped traffic with Among the first fire/rescue units on the other morning commuters for several hours, scene, members of the Cabin John Park as over 60 firefighters from five Montgom­ Volunteer Fire Department, who received County-wide Controversy ery County fire stations battled the blaze. the call at 5:55 a.m., said that the investiga­ energy tax, telephone tax, beverage con­ 1-270 is the main artery for commuters tion will take time because “the heat was so By Hannelore Quigley Assistant Editor tainer tax, hotel/motel tax, construction tax, from upper Montgomery and Frederick intense that all evidence of the accident, gasoline tax, snack tax, newspaper tax, and Counties, and the area’s link to West Vir­ such as skid marks and scratches in the The controversy surrounding Question A, other sales taxes. “The county went whole ginia, Western Maryland, and western asphalt were literally burned away.” the Robin Ficker Amendment, will end on hog and raised piggyback income taxes the Pennsylvania. The 1-270 spur connects it The bridge, though visibly damaged, was the voting block Nov. 3, when voters decide maximum 20 percent in a recession,” says with the Beltway between Seven Locks declared structurally sound by indepen­ to either vote themselves a tax break and Ficker. _ and Old Georgetown roads. Its temporary dent consultants and engineers of the State curtail county spending, or to reject the bill As a result, the amendment aims to limit closing due to the accident caused serious Highway Administration, and subsequently and pay an extra $50 million in income tax. local income tax increases by requiring the backups on alternate routes such as Old was partially reopened in time for last Attorney Robin Ficker proposed the County Council to reduce property taxes by Georgetown Road and Rockville Pike (Md. week’s Monday evening rush hour. amendment because he believes, “Permis­ an amount equal to any increase in the local siveness towards tax hikers encourages “piggyback” income tax rate above 50% of sloppy government and relaxes pressure to state income tax liability. kill programs or to justify new expendi­ While aimed at the local income tax, tures.” The proposal comes as a reaction to Ficker’s amendment technically limits the the County Council’s recent state income tax property tax; That’s because the income tax hike for Fiscal Year 1993. is a state tax administered by the county and Montgomery County is a high tax zone. cannot be limited by a County Charter reso­ News: Homosexual Conduct in Since the election there have been increases lution. Bathrooms Upsets Students.......... in the piggyback income tax, property tax, See FICKER, p. 2 p. 3 The Robin Ficker Amendment Arts: ‘Quatermaine’s Terms’— Amend Section305 of the County Charter to provide that in any year that the County shall set a County income tax of more than 50% of the state a play out of context. p. 4 income tax for an individual, the Council shall not levy an ad valorem tax on real property that will produce total revenue that exceeds the total Opinion: College Democrats & revenue produced by the tax on real property in the preceding fiscal year plus the Consumer Price Index increase percentage of the previous year’s real property revenues, minus the county income tax revenue in excess of College Republicans Face Off. p. 5 50% of the state income tax for an individual. Page 2 Montgomery College—Rockville SPUR Wednesday, October 28,1992 community service, even though the Council recently raised it to 60 per­ for the county government. While Keyes majority of county school boards Ficker cent The County Council voted this the object of die increase in the local from front page oppose it. Keyes also opposes the from front page year to increase die piggyback rate in income tax was to raise $50 million idea. “The idea that you want to order to raise $50 million in taxes. for the state, a cut in property taxes year per student, whilepublic schools encourage community service is The Ficker amendment requires This increase raised the local tax rate would reduce the county budget by will do the same for four or five good. However, when it is made the revenue derived from any in­ from 2.5 percent to 3 percent an estimated $50 million. thousand dollars, said Keyes. coercive instead of voluntary, I’m crease in local income tax rates be The League of Women Voters’ According to a Montgomery, Col­ Although Keyes admits he doesn’t opposed to it.” offset by an equal reduction in prop­ brochure “Money for Montgomery lege Board of Trustees Resolution, know the specifics of Bush’s As for Mikulski, Keyes said that erty tax revenues. The property tax in the 90’s” estimates that in Fiscal in consideration of the state budget ‘America 2000’ plan, he says “It “she caves in” when she has to take revenues would then be subtracted Year 1992, property taxes in Mont­ cuts to the college of up to $5.4 contains principles that I’m gener­ a stand. “I think she has a voting from the amount of the previous gomery County reached $684 mil­ million this fiscal year, the lack in ally in support of, although I’m op­ record that will turn the stomachs of year’s property tax collections, plus lion. Question A, if approved, is increase of county contribution over posed to a national curriculum.” this state,” said Keyes. inflation. estimated to cut property taxes in FY the last three years, and an enroll­ This summer, the Maryland State When asked his thoughts on po­ The 50 percent tax rate limit on the 1993 by $50 million. ment increase of 10% over that time, School Board approved the gradua­ litical correctness, Keyes replied piggyback tax had been in effect for Montgomery County property a cut in the county budget would tion requirement of seventy hours of “Dead set against it.” 25 years before the sitting County taxes are a main source of revenue have a definite effect on MC’s bud­ get for FY 1993. Because 41% of Montgomery College’s budget comes from the county, the school has prepared a list ofproposed cuts for FY 1993. Some of the actions considered include substantial increases of tuition and IN EX Presents A Student fees, elimination of some technical education programs, severe cutbacks in student activities and athletics pro­ grams, and permanent reduction in Spectacular employees. Question A could mean a 3% cur­ tailment in projected county expen­ We have put together special systems at great pricing especially for Montgomery College. These computers ditures if approved. However, a 3 percent cut in a $1.6 billion county are the most current up to date technology with growth in mind. They all carry a 1 year on sight warranty budget is believed by some to be an to ensure you are protected. Check out the great savings below: opportune way to cut waste spend­ ing. According to several speakers who spoke at the Montgomery County Charter Review Commission’s “public forum” Oct. O p tio n 1 5, “...taxpayers are upset and a strong O p tio n 2 message must be sent to legislators.” 386sx Processor, 25M H z 386DX Processor 33M Hz In effect, legislators in Rockville 4 M B o f R A M 1 4 M B o f ¿ À M and Annapolis could raise the piggy­ 3.5" Floppy Disk back tax to 70 percent, 90 percent, or 3.5" Floppy Disk even 120 percent if they so desired.