Rapidly rising gasoline prices have Maryland lawmakers second-guessing a proposal for the state’s first gas tax increase since 1992.
Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George’s, said Tuesday that support for a gas tax increase is waning among members of the Senate, and that the tax likely won’t pass this year.
“As long as gas prices are rising, I don’t see an appetite for a gas tax increase,” Miller said. “If we get through the budget, I’ll certainly go to the members and see what they think. But I think with the pulse of the people, the pulse of the Senate at the present time, I don’t see any appetite.”
Gov. Martin O’Malley has proposed adding a 6 percent sales tax to gas that would be phased in over three years and would add roughly 20 cents to the current 23-cent-per-gallon tax on gas. He is scheduled to testify to the General Assembly on Wednesday about his plan.
Republican lawmakers said the public’s sentiment has finally become clear to Maryland’s Democratic leaders.
“With gas at almost $4 a gallon, literally, on average in this region, there’s no way we should be raising that tax right now, and I think the realization is coming to the Senate president, who’s been pushing this for some time, that the political will is not there,” said Del. Anthony O’Donnell, R-Calvert and St. Mary’s.
In Virginia, a gas tax proposal in the Senate died Saturday, and chances are slim it will make into the budget lawmakers are hashing out.
Del. Joe May, R-Loudoun, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said he was “pessimistic” that the General Assembly would find any more transportation dollars.
“There were eight or nine different attempts to get something in the way of legislation [for the gas tax], and they were turned aside. At this point I don’t know of any candidates to be included in the budget,” he said.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has said repeatedly he won’t raise the gas tax, instead urging lawmakers to pass his alternative funding proposals for roads and bridges.
