Maryland House Dels. Joseline Peña-Melnyk and Ben Barnes were sponsors on legislation last week that would make property leased from the state and used to provide student housing subject to city property tax. Properties such as The Courtyards or South Campus Commons, managed by outside developers, could be affected directly, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that already expensive rent will rise even more as costs are passed down to students.
After a campaign cycle of wide smiles and glad-handing, it’s disappointing to see Peña-Melnyk and Barnes represent their district with such little mind on student interests. Peña-Melnyk may have graduated from the College Park City Council to Annapolis, but this particular legislation leads one to wonder if she has taken the city’s unfortunate attitude toward the university with her.
On students in particular, the city’s schizophrenic attitude is head-spinning. The city has little trouble holding a special election while students are out during winter break, with the implication that student opinions are either of little consequence, or, more likely, dangerous. However, when it comes to student finances, all of a sudden students are full-fledged members of society, all-too-ready for a visit from the tax man.
Though introduced in Annapolis, this bill is clearly directed at this university and continues a string of anti-Maryland, anti-student actions. Just in the past year, the city has attempted to increase taxes on concerts and theater events on the campus, introduced owner occupancy regulations to uproot students from city housing and scheduled elections at a time when students are absent.
The university has its faults, but undoubtedly it is the most influential institution in the city and should be treated as a partner. It would be extremely unfortunate to learn that our elected officials from College Park carried anti-university biases to Annapolis. As District 21 representatives, Barnes and Peña-Melnyk should be the university’s biggest cheerleaders. Instead, they may end up being the university’s tax men.
