The fight for Amazon’s new headquarters continues.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan released last week more details about the state’s $5 billion plan to lure the company to Montgomery County to build its coveted second headquarters.
Hogan’s legislative proposal would clear the way for more than $3 billion in tax incentives for the company and pledged to spend billions more in road, transit and infrastructure upgrades.
Hogan said in an issued statement that the headquarters is “the single greatest economic development opportunity in a generation, and we’re committing all of the resources we have to bring it home to Maryland.”
The “Promoting ext-Raordinary Innovation in Maryland’s Economy” (PRIME Act) provides state income tax credits equivalent to 5.75 percent of wages for each job created at the new Amazon headquarters. The credits would apply to jobs created within the first 17 years of the project and pay between $60,000 and $500,000, adding up to more than $3 billion in tax credits.
Leggett Endorses Baker for Governor
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has endorsed Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker for governor.
Leggett formally announced his endorsement Tuesday, Jan. 23 in a conference room at Houston Hall at Howard University School of Law.
Baker is running for the Democratic nomination in hopes of taking on incumbent Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in November general election.
Leggett, 73, and Baker, 59, have a close relationship and first met in the mid-1980s when Leggett was a professor and dean at Howard University School of Law and Baker was a student.
Leggett said he was endorsing Baker not only because of their long relationship, but because Baker had led Prince George’s County out of the recent recession and through the scandal following former County Executive Jack Johnson’s bribery case.
“He persisted,” Leggett said. “He persisted not once, but several times to obtain a job that many would not want. Not only has he obtained the job, but he served in excellent fashion. I could not be prouder.”
Rockville Voted Best Place to Live in Maryland
Money magazine, a subdivision of Time, recently named Rockville as the best place to live in Maryland.
The annual list cited Rockville’s amenities, shops, restaurants and numerous parks that are within walking distance from most homes. It also noted the city’s low unemployment and crime rates.
Money also said that Rockville has a projected job growth at 5.75 percent and its median household income at $100,158.
Rockville Mayor Bridget Newton said Friday that she was thrilled that the city was recognized, calling it a testament to the hard work of city leaders, government employees and residents working to build a “vibrant, welcoming place.”
“I’ve always said Rockville is like a small town in a big city,” she said. “We have all the benefits of the neighborliness, and the safety, and all the amenities and opportunities of a big city.”
Last year, Rockville was ranked the ninth-most diverse city in America by WalletHub, with more than a third of city residents born outside the U.S.
Leggett Decries Election Tactics
County Executive Isiah Leggett took aim Thursday at incumbent state legislators in District 39, whom he said used “smoke-filled room” tactics to choose a non-incumbent candidate to join their slate in this year’s Democratic primary.
Up against the chairs of the county’s Senate and House delegations, Sen. Nancy King and Del. Shane Robinson (both of Montgomery Village) and Del. Kirill Reznik (Germantown), King responded in outrage.
“I think the county executive’s comments are out of line,” King said. “There’s sour grapes there because we didn’t go with the same candidate that Ike went with. … He doesn’t dictate District 39.”
Delegates passed over several contenders for the seat, now held by Del. Charles E. Barkley of Germantown, including Gabriel Acevero, a field representative for UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO who was endorsed by Leggett.
