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Gas Tax To See First Increase In 20 Years

May 17th, 2013 by WCBC Radio

Governor Martin O’Malley on Thursday signed the first increase in taxes on gasoline in 20 years. The governor has argued the measure will create 4,000 road construction jobs, and will provide enough funding to maintain roads, and help pay for two new mass transit lines. The bill links the state's current gasoline excise tax to the inflation rate, and phase in a 5% sales tax on gasoline over four years. Legislative analysts expect the bill to boost gasoline taxes by at least 20-cents a gallon over four years. The bill also increases vehicle registration fees by $3.50 to pay for various emergency medical services, including a pay raise for Maryland State Police helicopter pilots. The governor says he realizes a hike at the pumps is not a popular move, but it has to be done to generate revenue for transportation projects across the state…





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