RealPage rent collusion scandal spreads to Maryland

Word of landlords allegedly using RealPage software to collude with competitors to fix rent prices elsewhere in the region led many to wonder if the gimmick had any role in Montgomery County's skyrocketing apartment rents. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown now suggests it does, and has filed suit against the firm and several prominent landlords. Despite the openings of many new apartment buildings across the county, rents have only continued to rise amidst all of the new "competition." This violates the basic laws of supply and demand, and Brown says the Realpage software gave landlords a loophole to make collusion possible, by having the company fix the rents across the board.

“RealPage and the named landlords worked together to raise the cost of their apartments, making it hard for Maryland renters to put a roof over their heads,” Brown said in a statement. “Our Office is committed to holding landlords accountable so Marylanders can afford their rent.”

The firms Brown is accusing of using RealPage for the purpose of "colluding to illegally raise rents" for Maryland apartment dwellers are Morgan Properties Management Company, LLC; Bozzuto Management Company; Greystar Management Services, LLC; AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; UDR, Inc.; and Highmark Residential, LLC. Brown is seeking monetary damages for renters who were allegedly gouged by the use of RealPage, monetary damages for the State of Maryland, cessation of the alleged use of RealPage to fix apartment rents, and the appointment of a corporate monitor to ensure compliance by RealPage and the accused firms.

Donald Trump inauguration commemorative farecards available at Forest Glen, Glenmont Metro stations

Tech moguls aren't the only ones changing their tune on Donald Trump. Regional transit agency WMATA boldly refused to issue a commemorative farecard for Trump's first inauguration in January 2017. Riders who had purchased a Barack Obama farecard in previous years were surprised to learn no such collector's item would be available for Trump, but the dominance of the Democratic party in the region limited the fallout for WMATA. But, lo and behold, the agency has issued a commemorative SmarTrip farecard for Trump's second inauguration, and it is available at select Metro stations.

The Trump SmarTrip card is now available in Montgomery County at the Shady Grove, Forest Glen, and Glenmont Metro stations. Signage will indicate the machine from which the Trump card can be purchased. The cards are available "while supplies last," WMATA says.

Photo courtesy WMATA

Maryland governor proposes 75-cent fee on retail, food deliveries

One proposal in Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's FY-2026 budget that he, understandably, did not mention in his press conference yesterday is a new 75-cent fee on retail and food deliveries. Given the popularity of such purchases by people of all income levels, this regressive fee could quickly add up for already-struggling Maryland residents. Moore's presentation gave another official declaration that Maryland's economy is - like Montgomery County's - moribund and stagnant. His budget director gave a Powerpoint presentation with slides confirming Maryland's economic growth has "significantly underperformed national growth" since 2017, as has its job growth. With grocery, insurance, and home prices remaining massively-high, why would the state now pile on by socking it to working-class people ordering a hamburger or a t-shirt for delivery?

Economic growth - moribund!

Also hidden from the governor's speech was a proposal to more than double the emissions test fee for vehicles. The emissions test program is already a massive grift for the state, forcing owners of recent vehicle models to take a test that predictably finds their car meets the standards. Maryland isn't even properly maintaining the equipment for the test now, as the scanner on the self-test machine was broken the last time I went, forcing drivers to manually type their personal information into the computer.

Job growth - moribund!

Sports gamblers would also be victims of highway robbery under the new budget. In a proposal that was actually presented at the press conference, Moore suggested doubling the tax on sports betting from 15% to 30%. So that big $1000 win Joe Six Pack had on the baseball game will be whittled down to $700 right "off the bat." Better cancel that plan to have a burger delivered after the game, Joe - you just can't afford it! Meanwhile, your representatives in Annapolis are laughing all the way to the bank.

Maryland and Montgomery County have
the highest tax burden in the D.C. region...
...but their revenue is stagnant. Given that clear
end result, does it make sense to increase
taxes even further?

Auto thief caught in the act in Wheaton

An alleged auto thief operating in the vicinity of Shorefield Road in Wheaton last night picked the wrong street and found himself in handcuffs. A pair of specialized teams from the Montgomery County Police Department happened to be patrolling that area last night, and their assignment just happened to be catching car thieves. Around 1:00 AM this morning, officers observed a blue work van drive up. After running the tags, they found the van had been stolen.

Firearm recovered during pursuit
of alleged auto theft suspect

A male suspect emerged from the stolen van, and attempted to steal a pickup truck parked on Georgian Woods Place. He was foiled by an anti-theft device installed in the truck. Officers watching his futile effort then approached the suspect, who took off on foot.

Officers chased the suspect, and noticed that he discarded a firearm while running away. They recovered the gun, and caught up with the suspect. Montgomery County police 4th District Commander Captain David Smith said this morning that the suspect is now facing multiple charges.

Photos courtesy Montgomery County Police Department

Wheaton Ice Arena to close for renovations

Wheaton Ice Arena will close for an extended period this year, Montgomery Parks announced yesterday. The facility at 11717 Orebaugh Avenue will be shuttered from mid-April 2025 to early October 2025.  There will be no public skating sessions, camps, programs, or rentals during the renovations. The reason for the closure is the need to replace the arena's refrigeration system. Montgomery Parks plans to add more programs and skating sessions at Cabin John Ice Rink during the Wheaton closure.

Photo courtesy Montgomery Parks

Arbor Landscapers burglarized in Burtonsville

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Arbor Landscapers at 2214 Spencerville Road in Burtonsville in "the early morning hours" of December 28, 2024. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry at the business. Property was taken by the suspect(s), for whom no description has yet been released by police. If you have any information that could help solve this case, contact police at (301) 279-8000.

Maryland Democrats propose vehicle excise tax increase

Four Democratic legislators in the Maryland House of Delegates are sponsoring a bill that would increase the vehicle excise tax. If House Bill HB-167 were to pass and be signed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), the state's vehicle excise tax would increase from 6% to 6.75% of the fair market value of the vehicle. The higher tax rate would take effect on July 1, 2025. Delegates Lorig Charkoudian (D - Montgomery), Kris Fair (D - Frederick), Andrew C. Pruski (D - Anne Arundel), and Sheila Ruth (D - Baltimore County) are the sponsors of the House bill.