ANNAPOLIS — Family members of Marylanders killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks would not have to pay estate taxes under legislation before the Maryland General Assembly.
Lawmakers discussed the bill Wednesday, the same day President George W. Bush signed similar legislation waiving federal income taxes for two years for the families.
Eloise Clarke, whose daughter was killed in the attack on the Pentagon, told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, “For me this disaster has been a true disaster.”
“We have a lot of paperwork,” said Clarke of Fort Washington. “It’s a headache. It might seem small, but it’s big to us.”
Her daughter was one of 59 Marylanders who died as a result of the attacks.
The idea for the bill came from Lynn Skerpon, register of wills for Prince George’s County, who felt badly asking Clarke, whose daughter was one of the 24 victims from Prince George’s County, and others to pay the fees.
“It has been a heart-wrenching process for myself and my staff,” Skerpon said. “The fiscal impact of the bill is minimal, however, the human and compassionate aspects of this legislation are significant.”
Lawmakers from Prince George’s pushed for the legislation, which would exempt family members from paying some taxes and fees related to property inheritance.
Bill sponsor Sen. Leo Green, D-Prince George’s, asked his colleagues for their support and presented a favorable letter from Gov. Parris N. Glendening.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert, who also represents part of Prince George’s, said the tragedy was personal for many in that region and that eliminating the taxes is an important symbolic measure.
“We would have these candlelight vigils in the neighborhood because we knew people who were killed,” Miller said. “Let’s do something for the people and their families that got hurt in this tragedy.”
The “unique circumstances” of the attack, Miller added, should prompt the Legislature to bend the rules. Similarly, Holocaust victims are exempt from some inheritance taxes.
“I would hope that the state of Maryland does not benefit financially from the tragedy that took place on Sept. 11,” Miller said. Waving the fees would cost the state about $30,000, according to the Department of Legislative Services.
Sen. Walter M. Baker, D-Cecil, chairman of Judicial Proceedings, questioned the wisdom of setting special provisions for victims of terrorism.
“You’re just as dead if you’re killed by a gangster or if you’re killed by a terrorist,” Baker said. Despite his objections, Baker indicated he would work with the bill’s sponsors: “We’re going to take care of you,” he said to the families. “Don’t worry about that.” – 30 – CNS-1-23-02