Editing Talbot County, Maryland (section)

==Economy==
Talbot County is an important tourism hub with a historic, evolving maritime economy. It is the epicenter for financial services in the [[Maryland's Eastern Shore|Eastern Shore]] region, with the fourth-largest bank in the state, Shore United Bank, headquartered in Easton.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shore United Bank: Backbone of the Community |url=https://talbotworks.org/shore-united-bank-backbone-of-the-community/ |website=Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism |publisher=Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> In 2028, the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Center will open in Easton, making the county a regional healthcare hub.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brief Economic Facts TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND |url=https://talbotworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TalbotBef.pdf |publisher=Maryland Department of Commerce |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref>

===Cap on tax revenue===
Talbot County offers the lowest
real property tax rate in the state, the second lowest income tax rate, and no taxes on corporate income, sales, or business personal property. <ref>{{cite web |title=Brief Economic Facts TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND |url=https://talbotworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TalbotBef.pdf |publisher=Maryland Department of Commerce |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref>  The tax revenue cap is one of the most restrictive in the state, making it extremely difficult to raise sufficient funds for certain initiatives, including key public safety projects and public schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2020 Presidential General Election Question Text |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/results/general/gen_qtext_2020_4_C_21_4_D__.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |publisher=Maryland State Board of ElectionsMaryland State Board of Elections |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> This has led to several local ballot measures in recent years. 

In 1996, Talbot County voters approved a ballot measure to place a cap on income and property taxes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Griep |first1=John |title=Talbot Voters Will Decide on Proposed Changes to Tax Cap |url=https://talbotspy.org/talbot-voters-will-decide-on-proposed-changes-to-tax-cap/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |date=October 25, 2020}}</ref> 

Since 2012, Talbot has exceeded the charter limitations on local property taxes to fund the approved budget of the local boards of education.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knauss |first1=Chris |title=Talbot proposes higher taxes |url=https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/talbot-proposes-higher-taxes/article_b4feb2d0-f9f2-5390-b0e1-e78cca5a41c4.html |access-date=16 April 2025 |publisher=The Star Democrat |date=April 18, 2012}}</ref> 

In 2018, Talbot County proposed temporarily overriding the property tax cap to raise $1.1 million in non-recurring education funds.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Christina |title=Talbot puts tax cap change on November ballot |url=https://www.myeasternshoremd.com/kent_county_news/news/talbot-puts-tax-cap-change-on-november-ballot/article_c890d28d-c0ca-5756-adc5-5bf93c1eefef.html |access-date=16 April 2025 |publisher=Kent County News |date=Aug 5, 2018}}</ref> Voters rejected the amendment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for Talbot County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_qresults_2018_2_21_1.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections}}</ref>

In 2020, Talbot County voters amended a charter to temporarily raise residents' property taxes to fund public safety measures, with 59.5% in favor. <ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2020 Presidential General Election results for Talbot County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/results/general/gen_qresults_2020_4_21_1.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref>

In 2024, Talbot County voters amended the charter to extend the temporary increase from 2020, with 50.93% in favor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2024 Presidential General Election Results for Talbot County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/General_Results/gen_qresults_2024_by_county_21.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref>