Gas Tax

Maryland is faced with major fiscal issues that are restricting its ability to repair and expand its aging highway infrastructure. At the urging of Gov. Martin O'Malley, the Maryland legislature recently passed an increase in the state gasoline tax to address this problem ("Md. Senate approves increase in gas tax," March 30). But while the governor has always been creative in finding new ways to pay for his road projects and social programs, I believe he has overlooked one possible source of revenue: The licensing and taxing of bicycles.

The March 28 edition of the Howard County Times had an editorial concerning the General Assembly's increase in the gas tax. It was noted that the Transportation Trust Fund's "lockbox" isn't very securely locked. The accompanying editorial cartoon indicated that the Times believes that diversion of funds from the lockbox is a question of "when," not "if. " One wonders how long it will before elected officials propose non-transportation use of the funds. Let's see - that would be immediately after passing the bill.

Looks like our "tax and spend" Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley had his way again ("Md. Senate approves increase in gas tax," March 30). The Maryland Senate passed Governor O'Malley's massive 80 percent gasoline tax hike over Easter weekend. Now, Maryland families and businesses will be burdened with the 5th highest gas tax rate in the nation. Adding more pain at the pump and increasing costs of food and daily household items will evaporate more money out your family's budget! The gas tax hike was avoidable and it's not fair that another one of your taxes went up. This new foolish and unnecessary tax burden imposed in Maryland must be remembered by the voters of this state in the next election.

We were told the gas tax increase was needed to pay for roads and mass transit. Yet right there in the March 28 Flier on page 16, "Turner: Transportation needs Gas Tax Revenue," Guy Guzzone states that funding created by the increase will be used for the expansion of the emergency medical system and a new digital communications system for emergency responders. That doesn't exactly sound like roads, bridges, or mass transit. Either they lied about it or are stretching the definition of transportation beyond all credulity.

This time last year, the Maryland General Assembly was mired in anger and confusion. The House and Senate were feuding over taxes and casino gambling. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch were butting heads. Lawmakers were heading into the final day without even having passed the budget - the one task with which they are charged in the state constitution. It took two special sessions to clean up the mess. This year, legislators will begin the session's final day Monday having already passed an array of landmark legislation - repealing Maryland's death penalty, adopting one of the nation's toughest gun laws, raising the gas tax for the first time in two decades and signing off on a $1 billion plan to rebuild Baltimore's crumbling schools.

Even during the taxing orgy called the legislative session, I am shocked that Maryland legislators nearly doubled the gas tax when gas prices hover near $4 a gallon ("General Assembly approves gas tax hike" Mar 29). People should be taking to the streets over this. Everyone that supported this bill should be voted out of office. It is now clear to me that retirement in this state is not an option. There is no amount of income that could possibly keep pace with the greed of the Maryland government.

It looks like our governor is batting 1.000 in this year's General Assembly - and that lawmakers are falling all over themselves to make sure his agenda gets passed so the liberal media can see all the wonderful things he's done as he prepares to run for higher office in 2016. So let's review the last six years. In addition to gay marriage (which I have no problem with), we also now have in-state college tuition for people who are in the state illegally (which I do have a problem with)

What a sad time for Marylanders. They are going to be subjected to a regressive gas tax that will have an automatic tax accelerator tied to the Consumer Price Index. It is unfair to the gas station owners who are operating along the borders of our state. They will lose business as people will migrate to pay less at the pump in surrounding states. The Transportation Trust Fund was created in 1971 to provide funding for a transportation network from the 23.5 cents per gallon tax. Over the years, the trust fund has been raided by the governor by over $1 billion dollars from the Highway User funds earmarked for local governments to improve roads.Those funds will never be repaid.

Regarding The Sun article on Gov. Martin O'Malley's recent campaign swing to South Carolina ("O'Malley takes a tryout in S.C.," March 24), he states that his principles are working in Maryland. This is false. During his campaign, Mr. O'Malley opposed raising taxes. But in his first months in office he raised so many taxes that he set a record for tax increases since colonial days. He opposed gambling but after taking office decided he was in favor and helped pass slots and table games.

For Maryland's building industry, the good times may be coming back. The construction sector, which has been in the tank for the better part of five years, is on the verge of receiving a sizable infusion of money from recent decisions in Annapolis. Much to the chagrin of many Maryland motorists, the General Assembly has approved legislation to charge hundreds of millions of dollars a year in additional gas taxes - money that will build new roads and transit systems. Also heading to Gov. Martin O'Malley's desk is a $1 billion plan to build 15 new schools in Baltimore and renovate three dozen more.