Gas Prices

Gov. Martin O'Malley will propose an extension of Maryland's 6 percent sales tax to gasoline to raise money for the state's depleted Transportation Trust Fund, a measure that would add roughly 18 cents to the price per gallon over three years, the administration says. By choosing the sales tax as a vehicle for raising transportation money, the governor is rejecting an increase in the traditional motor fuel tax, which calculates the tax on a per-gallon basis. Maryland's gas tax has remained level at 23.5 cents a gallon since 1992.

Here's my take on the O'Malley-Miller gas tax: Gov. Martin O'Malley and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller had worked it out in a closed-door session that Mr. O'Malley would propose a 15-cent-a-gallon increase in the gas tax and Miller would knock it down to 10 cents. That way, everyone would feel good. But - hello? - where did that $1 billion in dedicated transportation taxes go? Answer: Both parties plundered the money for other projects. This is not about protecting Democratic or Republican turf; it's about the people you were elected to serve.

I have a confession to make: In a recent story about perpetually increasing gas prices, The Sun quoted Susan Sutter as saying "someone is lining their pockets, and it sure isn't me" ("Gas-pocalypse?" Jan. 7). I must admit - it's me. Am I among the 1 percent? An oil company executive? A Saudi prince? Nope. I'm just a normal Baltimore resident. Well, mostly normal. I am a little unusual in that I don't have a car (in fact, a third of Baltimore households don't). Instead, I go everywhere by bicycle and transit.

Commuters between Harford and Cecil counties will soon have a public transit option for crossing the Susquehanna River, one with a fare that is $4 less than the toll motorists pay to use the bridge. Maryland Transit Administration and county officials launched the first inter-county public transportation route Monday with the oldest crossing, an aging railroad bridge, and the newest transit bus models from each county in the background. "Two jurisdictions have partnered for the first time to bring this great opportunity to their citizens," said Elizabeth Kreider, MTA director of local transit support.

Dealnews.com has posted its list of a dozen things getting cheaper this year.  Many of them are tech related, such as the Apple iPad 2, Android tablets and eBook readers. Wine is expected to be less expensive, and we're not talking about Mad Dog 20/20. Apparently, tight budgets prevented consumers from buying high-priced wines - $30 and up - which means retailers are going to slash their prices to move the bottles off the shelf, according to Dealnews. And though gas prices are going up, car rental rates won't follow because of competition and a good number of cars sitting in lots, Dealnews says.

Shame on Gov, Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly for talking about raising taxes and fees during a major recession. With gas prices hovering around $3.50 per gallon, we don't need any more burdens placed on us. It appears the only way Maryland residents and businesses can escape the clutches of tax-and-spend Democrats is to vote with their feet and move to a more fiscally friendly state. John A. Malagrin, Baltimore

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. said Tuesday that natural gas customers could anticipate a nearly 5 percent decrease in their bill for the upcoming winter. The bill for a typical residential customer is expected to total $556 for the period between Nov. 1 and March 31, 2012, down from $584 a year ago, BGE said. The utility said the decline was driven by the more normal winter conditions expected this year — compared to last winter's colder-than-normal weather — and lower cost for natural gas. The price for natural gas is expected to drop about 2 cents from a year ago to 60 cents per therm this winter.

Since I learned to drive, and started paying for gasoline, a big challenge in my life has been finding the cheapest gasoline within easy striking distance of whatever territory I was likely to be prowling. Then I look around to find the most expensive gas and run through a few quick calculations in my head and come up with how much I save on a particular tank of gas. My goal is to get a free gallon of gas, relatively speaking, each time I fill the tank. The game hasn't been much fun lately.

If you're getting fewer pitches from outfits selling electricity and natural gas these days, this may be the reason: It's more difficult for independent energy marketers to beat the standard prices from Baltimore Gas & Electric. The expensive electricity deals that BGE signed a few years ago have just about expired. That means customers taking the utility's standard product will no longer be stuck with inflated, 2008 prices. Which means the likes of Washington Gas Energy Services and Viridian Energy can't easily undercut them.

Faith E. Wachter doesn't normally spend as much as $17 on shampoo in a single shopping trip. But by stocking up on haircare products recently, the Ellicott City resident saved more than $4 on gasoline for her car — and just in time for a drive to the beach. In they look for ways to spend less on fuel, more Marylanders are headed to the supermarket. Several chains are rewarding loyal customers with points they can redeem for discounts at the pump. And with the cost of a gallon of gas up a dollar from last summer, consumers say they are comparing the different programs — and, in some cases, shopping accordingly.