February 20th, 2013 by WCBC Radio
The potential for a gas tax hike comes to the forefront in Annapolis today as the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on a series of proposals to boost transportation funding. All of the proposals are sponsored by Senate President Mike Miller. Miller has proposed a menu of options. One would allow county governments to raise up to 5 cents per gallon on gas sales for local transportation projects. That would be on top of the state's 23.5-cents-per-gallon tax, which hasn't been raised since 1992. Miller also has pitched a separate 3 percent sales tax on gasoline. He also has recommended studying the idea of selling or leasing the Intercounty Connector. Another proposal would allow local transit authorities that could raise revenue for rail projects. Governor Martin O'Malley says he has been meeting with Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch on a compromise transportation bill, and he is optimistic an agreement can be reached before the legislative session ends in April. Bottom line, says O’Malley, is that something has to be done…
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