A bill aimed at removing tax incentives to lure developers to build student housing in most areas of downtown appears ready to pass the House of Delegates in Annapolis, after an amended version of the bill passed the Senate this week.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Jim Rosapepe and the entire Prince George's County Delegation - including College Park residents Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D) and Del. Ben Barnes (D) - has been introduced several consecutive years but has never been this close to passage.
The bill was introduced only months after Resident Life officials announced record waiting lists for dorms, which have led to more than 600 students being shut out of housing for fall 2007.
City officials have worked to reduce the numbers of students living in city neighborhoods for years, but have only this legislative session had such a strong influence in Annapolis. Previously, only one College Park resident represented the local legislative district. Now, three have a vote in the State House.
Graduate student Devin Ellis, who was Student Government Association chief of staff last school year, said the bill complicates the prospect of off-campus student housing because it removes a $7,000 per-unit tax incentive in most of the city.
David Daddio, the student blogger who runs Rethinkcollegepark.net, said that leaving the properties along Route 1 surcharge-free can only incentivize student housing, and that he was opposed to Rosapepe's original, more restrictive bill. He assisted SGA President Emma Simson and Graduate Student Government President Laura Moore in compromising on an amendment.
Rosapepe disputed that his bill deincentivized prospective developers, saying "it's a distraction to talk about small pieces of campus off property."
Reporter Nathan Cohen contributed to this report.
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