We, the residents of Montgomery County, oppose the increase of property taxes without a referrendum. We urge you to vote AGAINST Ike Leggett's proposed property tax increase. This increase violates the In accordance with Tax Reform Initiative by Marylanders (TRIM)the tax cap exists in the county’s charter mandating that any proposed property tax increase be approved by citizen vote, via a referendum. In fact, the County may not take in an amount in real property tax that exceeds the amount of inflation. An 8.6% percent tax increase surpasses the maximum rate allowed under the county’s charter. Ike Leggett is proposing this in the name of "education" as he knows it is the only way to circumvent this mandate. He wants to expedite this vote "in essence of time"? We continue to experience overcrowding of schools, cut backs each time there is another budget deficit, radon levels in schools that are above the legal limits and yet all these proposed "increases" are said to support education? The monies earmarked for education are NOT funding education as it is. It is our understanding that The MCPS Operating Budget has multiple funding sources and the budget has increased since FY 2009 by over $217 MILLION dollars. MCPS Actual Operating Budget: FY 2009 $2,038,228,863 FY 2016 $2,255,618,103 Source: MCPS Operating Budget Homeowners are still recovering from the housing crisis and now Ike Leggett will ask for you to vote for an increase in property taxes for properties that have steadily declined in value? If you support the voting members of this County, you will vote responsibly and oppose this property tax increase. I plan to bring this as much social media attention as possible. Support of this tax increase is fiscally irresponsible and I know that you will execute your civic duty by voting against Ike Leggett's proposed tax increase. Please support the voters who place their trust in you, our elected officials.