Martin O’Malley Spooks Marylanders With Gas Tax Hike

Thanks to all of you for making phone calls.

The legislators are feeling the heat, but you cannot let up.

Tomorrow, they will hold a hearing on the 20% increase in the sales tax.

Call your delegates and senator.

We are also asking you to call the 20 Democrats listed on our Web site (www.mdgop.org).

Call every day and do not stop! They need to hear from you. Thanks.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2007

Martin O’Malley Spooks Marylanders With Gas Tax Hike

Gas Tax Would Rise Automatically Every Year

ANNAPOLIS – Just in time for Halloween, O’Malley administration officials today spooked Marylanders with a proposal to raise the gasoline tax every year for the rest of their lives.

Currently, Maryland state government has a 23.5-cents per gallon tax on gasoline. Under the O’Malley Gas Tax Hike, the gas tax would go up to 24-cents per gallon and would be indexed to increase automatically every year with no end in sight. Governor O’Malley had proposed indexing the gasoline tax to one of the fastest growing indexes available – the Construction Cost Index. The state gasoline tax is in addition to the federal gasoline tax, which the Democrat Congress is also looking to increase.

Dr. Jim Pelura, Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, released the following statement:

“Martin O’Malley redefined ‘trick or treat’ today. He is pushing tax tricks for Maryland families and sweet treats to pay back his special interests. O’Malley’s tax trick today was to convince Marylanders that they need to pay more at the gas pump. Fortunately, Marylanders are seeing through these tax tricks and making their voices known. ‘No more taxes’ is the universal chant.

“What’s worse is that O’Malley wants to pass legislation that would require the gas tax to increase every year forever without having to justify why the tax needs to go up. Where is the accountability or the transparency in such a plan? O’Malley is telling Marylanders he just wants their money, but does not want to explain why he wants it. For those visiting Annapolis today, beware of tax monsters picking your pockets. They have been spotted throughout the day.”