By Delegate Mike McDermott
Recently, the O’Malley administration and the MD Transportation Authority have decided that, after 35-years, we are due for a toll increase on the Bay Bridge. Their answer was not an incremental adjustment to be absorbed over time, but rather an immediate 100% increase. This is to be followed the next year by an additional 60% bounce taking the toll from the current $2.50 all the way to $8.00. This meets a good definition for “excessive”.
While this may have a negligible impact on vacationers making their annual trek to Ocean City, it appears little thought has been given to the impact on commerce this will have for the mid and upper shore areas.
Consider that when Virginia built their Bridge-Tunnel, the toll was set high and has remained so from the beginning. Clearly, Virginia did not build it for commuters and North Hampton County remained relatively quiet when compared with the Virginia Beach/Norfolk metro area. It was a clear choice, and many would say a “good one”.
On the Maryland side, quite the opposite has been the case. A toll which amounts to $1.25 one way would surely encourage commerce and development on the Eastern Shore. It would insure a rapid expansion of the metro area by creating a readily available suburb for those willing to simply drive a few extra miles and pay a small toll for the privilege of living on the Eastern Shore. The rest of the shore would benefit from increased commercial traffic and day trips would become common. Maryland’s Eastern Shore would never be the same.
By maintaining a low toll, Maryland made the choice to potentially subsidize repairs to the bridge, as needed, beyond the revenue stream provided to insure the successful industrial, commercial, and residential development of the shore. Our prosperity has resulted in multiplied tax revenues for state coffers from that development far beyond that which would have been realized from any increased toll.
Now, after nearly four decades, we are going to raise the toll by nearly 300%. It looks like the proverbial “bait and switch” for the Eastern Shore. Queen Anne’s and Kent Counties will take it on the chin while the rest of us get bruised. At a time of economic pain and uncertainty, this tax increase should be on the back burner.
The time is now to weigh in with the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Governor’s Office as the “proposal” will become a reality very soon.
As it stands, we will pay for that toll in every loaf of bread, in every lost day tripper, and in just one more hurdle to tourism and commerce. For those commuters who sought a refuge on the shore, your discretionary income just took a big hit and many in Annapolis are choosing to look the other way.
10 comments:
There is a commuter plan in which the toll currently is $1 so a $2 toll for locals isn't bad at all. Maybe they should give discounts to ez pass holders 10-20%. DE and NJ have both had that in the past, NJ is stopping that for non NJ pass holders.
This is what happens when you put something off for four decades.
144-There is no fiscal reason to raise the toll.
I for one, have canceled my EZ pass. Between this increase and the monthly fee, I will have to limit my travel that way. I know...some will call me shallow, but I'm drawing my money back as this state see's fit to blow money like there's no tomorrow.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER ALL THESE CROOKS IN ANNAPOLIS WHEN IT COMES TIME TO VOTE AND VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND START FRESH WITH YOUNG FRESH MINDS WITH OUR FEELINGS AND WALLETS IN MIND....
it hasn't been 35 years since the last increase
You're missing the point. Liberal democrats are sworn to tax and spend. And they're dedicated to do just that. This is just another tax increase. Fees are taxes. Short sighted maintenance of the bridge is just an excuse. Liberals run this state. And as long as they do they will continue to TAX AND SPEND!
Thank you, Mike for what you do!
Craig Theobald
Ironshire
DELMARVA--The Time is NOW..Become our own state!!!! Then we might have a say in Annapolis.
The people that are coming to the beach will not care about this increase one bit. The people that it will hurt are the ones that have been forced to go across the bridge to find work. I guess gas being high was not enough burden on these people now they have to raise the toll.
Become your own state and there will be a mass exodus of people the kent/queen anne's area back to the west. The only reason they are there is to exploit the cheaper property taxes and what once was cheaper real estate when compared to anne arundel. You might as well call kent island liberal annapolis east. The upper shore does not want political association with the lower shore just as the lower shore doesn't with the western.
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