Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) unveiled a bold budget proposal Friday that would raise property tax rates for the first time in 35 years and includes layoffs and furloughs, all to free up more funding for schools, public safety and economic development.

The $3.63 billion budget proposal was received warily by the County Council, which has to adopt a final budget by June. Chairman Mel Franklin (D-Upper Marlboro) said he and his colleagues will scrutinize Baker’s proposal carefully to see whether “the sacrifice is appropriate.”

One key issue is whether Baker can circumvent a 1978 law that requires the county to get voter approval to raise property taxes.

Baker says there is language in a 2012 school funding law that gives him authority to exceed the property tax cap to fund schools. He proposes raising the property tax rate from 96 cents per $100 of assessed value to $1.11 per $100 of assessed value — the highest rate in the region. About 5,000 fixed- or very low-income households would get a tax credit to offset some or all of the increase.

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