Prince George's Officials Mull Raising Phone Tax

Prince George's County leaders are looking for ways to raise more money for schools without having to ask voters to appprove a property tax increase.

So County Executive Jack Johnson is asking the County Council to approve a 3% increase in the telephone tax. Johnson spokesman John Erzen says county officials believe the phone tax is not subject to a referendum requirement approved in 1996 because it was imposed by the state. The council has already increased it from the state minimum of 5% to 8% in 2002.

But the major regional telephone companies and anti-tax activists are promising a fight. Judy Robinson, a county resident who helped lead the 1996 referendum effort, is threatening to sue the county if it raises the tax without going ton the voters.