Gov.Martin O'Malley's proposal to apply the 6 percent sales tax to gasoline, which would cost Marylanders an extra 18 cents to 21 cents per gallon at current prices, is proving to be a tough sell for Howard lawmakers, especially with gas prices on the rise.
Not one of the 10 Howard County state delegates and senators interviewed said they would be comfortable supporting O'Malley's proposal, which would phase the sales tax on gas in at 2 percent per year. Del. James Malone, a Halethorpe Democrat, could not be reached for comment.
Some lawmakers seemed more willing to support an increase to the motor fuel tax, a flat gas tax that has been set at 23.5 cents per gallon since 1992. Others oppose any measure that would raise the cost of gasoline.
"I think it's a severely regressive tax that will hurt low-income people most of all, and I think this is the worst time to be proposing a regressive tax, during an economic downturn," Sen. Allan Kittleman, a West Friendship Republican, said. "Not only will it increase gas, ... it will increase the cost of all the goods we purchase."
Kittleman added, "I don't think many people think it's a good idea, even Democratic lawmakers."
Still, lawmakers from both political parties agree something has to be done to restore money to the Transportation Trust Fund, which is used to pay for transportation improvements throughout the state.
"We need to get a consistent and sustainable flow of dollars into the Transportation Trust Fund," Del. Frank Turner, a Columbia Democrat, said. "We've been behind on these (transportation) projects for years. I think the main thing is to get a lot of them started."
Turner said implementing a gas tax, whether in the form of a sales tax or an increase to the motor fuel tax, is "not any easy decision when you see gasoline going up 13 cents in a week. But to do nothing is also irresponsible."
O'Malley is touting his plan as way to earn money for the state's burgeoning transportation needs. Once fully implemented, the tax is expected to earn the state an additional $613 million in revenue each year.
"This legislation will allow us to support 7,500 new jobs building needed roads, bridges and public transit throughout our state," O'Malley said in a statement. "Maryland has some of the worst traffic in America, and with a growing population and aging infrastructure, we must address these needs today, so our children are not left with a failing transportation system tomorrow."
Del. Gail Bates, a West Friendship Republican, said O'Malley's plan could actually cost jobs.
"I've talked to several businesses ... the additional amount they'd have to pay could be a job or two," she said.
Columbia Democrat Del. Liz Bobo said that while she supported raising the gas tax five years ago, she is "afraid we've reached the point now where an increase in the gas tax could push people over the edge.
"The price of gas has escalated so much in the past five years. In addition to that, there are so many people hanging on the edge, hanging by their fingernails financially."
Del. Shane Pendergrass, also a Columbia Democrat, had similar thoughts: "It's very hard to think of adding anything to significant on to the gas tax given the price of gas right now."
Hot-button issue
Sen. Jim Robey, an Elkridge Democrat, said raising the money needed for transportation projects now poses a difficult problem.
"I'm really at a point of not knowing what to do right now," he said. "I have to buy gas, too. I have to pay that tax. So do my family members and friends. (Raising the gas tax) is not something I would enjoy doing."
Robey said he's heard more from people upset about a possible a gas tax increase than on any other issue so far this session.
Del. Steven DeBoy, a Halethorpe Democrat, said the same.
"There's just no way I could support a gas tax this year," he said.
Given the public's displeasure with the idea, Sen. Ed Kasemeyer, a Columbia Democrat who chairs the Senate Budget and Tax Committee, said the gas tax is something that will likely be dealt with at the end of the session. Even then, "it's going to be a real struggle to pass," he said, noting it "may be too much" given all the other issues the legislature has on its plate.
Woodbine Republican Del. Warren Miller said he hopes the legislature will not give O'Malley his gas tax increase.
"Had the governor never taken money out of the Transportation Trust Fund, we probably wouldn't need a gas tax right now," Miller said. "It's shocking the way he's neglected our roads."
Del. Guy Guzzone, a Columbia Democrat, said he can't support O'Malley's proposal until he sees what the taxpayers will be getting in return.
County Executive Ken Ulman, a Democrat, agreed.
"Right now the state hasn't given the citizens of Howard County a reason to support it because they haven't told people how this will improve their lives or commute," he said. "Until that case can be made, I'm not going to support this."
Ulman has testified in support of a gas tax increase in the past. But one of the conditions of his support, he said, is that the state restore the split of transportation revenue back to 70 percent to the state and 30 percent to the counties. O'Malley's plan is to have 80 percent of revenue go to the state and 20 percent to the counties, and only after the sales tax reaches the full 6 percent.
Another condition Ulman said he needed to support a gas tax increase was some sort of firewall that would make it more difficult for the state to take money out of the Transportation Trust Fund. O'Malley's proposal includes stronger protections, though some legislators have said they are not strong enough.