Sen. Nancy Jacobs Responds to Toll Hike

The toll increase proposal for the Hatem Bridge is “Cruel” but it is not “Fair”.  You have not done enough research for your column and taken into consideration factors that make a rise in tolls at the Hatem honestly difficult for a number of families there.  

The Hatem Bridge divides two communities where there are many low income earners, retirees and Veterans who use Perry Point VA Hospital. They will not just have to come up with 36 dollars the first year of a toll hike as you say, but 100 dollars to first buy in to EZ Pass’ Hatem Plan.  Most people we speak with in Cecil County do not own an EZ-Pass now. 

My Senate office has received an overwhelming amount of mail from people who say this will be hard to afford. It’s not because they feel “entitled” as you say, but because they honestly don’t have the money.  One single mother in North East says she works the night shift across the Hatem Bridge in Aberdeen and cares for a disabled son.  She fears eviction if she is forced to give up her job because she can’t afford the expense. 

Another retiree from Perryville says she must take care of her elderly brothers and sisters who frequently are admitted to Harford Memorial Hospital over the bridge. She gets teary on the phone talking about barely making it now on Social Security especially without a COLA increase.

At my News Conference last week in Perryville you would have heard from people like this but you didn’t attend. 

There are economic issues of concern for Cecil and Harford Counties as well.  Fishermen, horse owners, and owners of campers will be charged huge amounts because they have three axles.  A Harford County resident who wants to go fishing will have to pay 36 dollars to get to Cecil County waterways for the day and get back home. 

The MdTA Board should not lump this group in with commercial trucks.  It’s not good for our tourism industry to discourage this recreational activity.  The hike will also affect the positive growth at Aberdeen Proving Ground under BRAC and businesses anywhere near the bridge will suffer.  You can already see at the Perryville Outlets there are a lot of vacant storefronts since the toll went from $2.50 to 5 dollars.

Sincerely,
Senator Nancy Jacobs
Minority Leader (R-Cecil/Harford) 

Maryland Sen. Nancy Jacobs (R-34) represents Cecil and Harford Counties.  She also serves as Minority Leader of the Maryland State Senate.  This letter originally appeared in the Baltimore Sun.