Gas Tax

Maryland's Gov. Martin O'Malley is going to push for a higher gasoline tax or sales tax ("VA. Takes the lead," Jan. 10). Meanwhile, Virginia's Gov. Robert McDonnell is pushing for abolition of his state's gasoline tax. So, where would you like to live if you had a choice? F. Cordell, Lutherville Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

With regard to Maryland's gas tax or any sales tax increase devoted to the same purpose, we don't trust Gov.Martin O'Malley, his successor or subsequent successors ("O'Malley looks at sales tax increase for roads," April 4). The transportation fund has been raided in the past, and we have no guarantees that it will not be raided in the future. If more revenue is needed to maintain our transportation infrastructure, I think most people would have no real problem with an increase in gas taxes - if the money raised was used for only transportation.

Michael Dresser 's article, "Gasoline tax increase advances" (March 21) says that this absurd and ridiculous plan to raise gas taxes is "the result of painstaking behind-the-scenes negotiations among [Gov. Martin] O'Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch over a way to raise revenue for the state's roads, bridges, transit and other transportation needs. " Yet another example of the "we know better what's good for than you do" mentality.

Gov.Martin O'Malleyhas no case with his gas tax proposal ("Pay nor or later," March 14). The raiding in the past of the Transportation Trust Fund for other unnecessary spending destroys any credibility that he could have. This is just another ploy to buy votes for Democrats with giveaways. He should be impeached. F. Cordell, Lutherville

If the 10 cents a gallon increase in the gas tax is passed and you put 15 gallons of gas in your car every week, in a years time to will amount to an extra $78. Now if the gas tax is not passed, how much are you going to have to pay your car repair place when you hit all of those potholes that won't be repaired? Which is worse, $78 at the pump or a year's cost of car repairs? I'll take the $78. Thomas Coburn, Rosedale

Did the editors of The Sun ever meet a tax increase they didn't like ("Pay now or later," March 14)? If the taxes that are collected for transportation were spent on transportation, there would be plenty of funds for transportation and no need for a gas tax increase. Instead, this fund has been repeatedly looted to support the ever-increasing state government. Unfortunately, with the Democrats' stranglehold on state government, we will pay now and pay later. The solution is obvious - except to Gov.Martin O'Malley and The Sun - reduce spending.

Maryland's roads, tunnels and bridges are in need of repair. But before we raise the gas tax, all funding that has been removed from the Transportation Trust Fund to pay for other programs over at least the last two decades should be returned to the fund. To do this I suggest that the sales tax on gasoline and diesel fuel be directed to the trust fund until all of the money that has been removed is restored. I further recommend that legislation be passed to prevent these special funds from being removed from the fund in the future.

Taxpayers in Maryland must pay to the MOB - Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael E. Busch. Their expertise is the legal extortion of the state's taxpayers. Since Governor O'Malley took office, taxes and fees have been raised $2.5 billion. Their appetite for more revenue is insatiable. They run the monster, state government, and the monster must be fed. Whatever is left over is for taxpayers to feed and provide housing for themselves and their family.

Regarding The Sun's and state Sen. Rob Garagiola's insistence on raising the gas tax, perhaps they do not understand the double tax whammy they are proposing. First, the tax will impact the citizens of Maryland when they purchase gas by increasing the price of a tank of gas at least $1.50. The second way the tax will harm Marylanders is by increasing the prices of goods and services. For example, the tax will increase the price of food for all citizens rich or poor. With unemployment rates in Baltimore City of 11.2 percent, The Sun should not suggest that the government-created transportation jobs will solve that problem.

My family and I moved to Maryland in 1996 and witnessed some of the lowest tax (and car insurance) rates ever. However, we did find the gasoline tax much higher than we'd experienced, but the roads were exquisite (and I'm not kidding). That's because we came from New Jersey. You have to have lived in the Garden State to understand why we are totally in favor of Gov.Martin O'Malley's proposed gas tax increase. Roads in New Jersey are still in the shape as we left them 16 years ago - horrid everywhere.