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Thursday, March 15, 2012

O’Malley Pushes For Raising Maryland Gas Tax

ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Martin O'Malley told House and Senate lawmakers Wednesday that failing to raise Maryland’s gas tax could lead to crumbling roads and bridges in the future, and that they should pass his proposal despite its lack of popularity with residents.

Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, touted his proposed 6 percent sales tax on gas while testifying before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and at a joint hearing of the House Ways and Means and Environmental Matters committees.

Legislators have said a gas-tax hike appears unlikely during this year’s General Assembly session because of rising gas prices, public outcry and several other tax increases already being considered.

The governor’s proposal would impose a 2 percent sales tax on wholesale purchases and tack on 2 percentage points in each of the next two years. Any scheduled increase would be postponed for one year if gas prices rise by more than 15 percent in that year.

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7 comments:

Daddio said...

IF they would stop raiding the trust funds, this would not be an issue.

Instead, let's start reducing the pay of all the legislators, starting at the top with the governor, if there are shortfalls in the revenue....

Anonymous said...

The problem with Maryland is the people we elect.I rode through Delaware from Smyrna to Rehoboth and see construction the whole way there.Here in Salisbury and surrounding areas there is nothing.Thats why the citizens must pick up the tab.

Anonymous said...

Where the Road Trust money goes is common knowledge to most folks around here so putting more money into the "pit" from additional taxation won't change much. I moved from MD to DE and the 7:11 PM comment is right on regarding the amount of road work DE does compared to MD. For the most part, MD puts new roads in for the benefit of developers wanting to develop inaccessible land. Once in place, they tend to forget about them.

Anonymous said...

he wants to raise the gas tax while gas prices are going up. his not for the people. furthermore, didn't the state of md receive a very large sum of money for the 4 bank mortgage lawsuit. that money can be used to fix the roads.

Anonymous said...

He is also still working on reducing the mortgage interest deduction. That will make it less appealing for people to own their own property.

Anonymous said...

we pay taxes on gas now for road work..and the state won't even keep lines painted!

Anonymous said...

Maryland does a lot of road work, on the WESTERN Shore!
But, we all here on the EASTERN Shore pay for it!
It's been this way for a LONG time folks!