All roads lead to taxes at Leisure World Democratic Club executive forum

At a recent Montgomery County executive candidate forum hosted by the Leisure World Democratic Club, fiscal policy and proposed tax increases dominated discussions. Outgoing County Executive Marc Elrich's proposed $8 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2027 includes significant property and income tax increases, sparking debate among the three major candidates: Councilmembers Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass, and Will Jawando. Candidates steered conversations toward tax policy even when addressing topics like data centers and the senior population. Friedson positioned himself as the only candidate consistently fighting tax increases, advocating for scrutinizing the budget for excess spending. Glass focused on the Montgomery County Public Schools budget, which consumes a large portion of the county's finances, while demanding greater transparency. Jawando, who has been endorsed by Elrich, pushed for progressive taxation, arguing that the wealthiest should pay more to fund programs. The discussion around data centers specifically highlighted differing views on a proposed moratorium. Jawando called for a two-year moratorium on data center development, citing a lack of appropriate taxing tools to ensure tech companies contribute their fair share. Elrich and Glass both expressed support for a six-month moratorium to study the issue further. In contrast, Friedson opposed any moratorium, stating that Montgomery County should embrace change rather than fight it.