August 22nd, 2013 by WCBC Radio
An 18-cent disparity in the cost of a gallon of gas between Maryland and Virginia appears to support predictions of radical price changes after lawmakers in both states took widely different approaches to raising transportation funding through gas taxes this year. Analysts say it’s too soon to judge how big a factor the political maneuvers will be in driving the costs of fuel in the states in different directions. In Maryland, a bill signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, increased the gas tax 4 cents per gallon this year, to 27.5 cents per gallon. The tax will increase to 43.5 cents per gallon when fully implemented in 2016. Lawmakers also tied the tax to the rate of inflation, meaning future increases will occur automatically as is done in 16 other states. The average price of gas went from $3.45 on July 1 in Maryland to $3.56 on Monday. The national average was $3.57. O’Malley pushed for the gas hike in order to fund transportation projects…
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