State Budgets

A tax on gasoline went into effect in Harford County and across Maryland on Monday, adding about 4 cents to the cost of a gallon. Next year, that will increase again, and the same thing will happen the following year, then in 2016, the final increase in the gasoline sales tax will take effect.

At least it will be the final increase in the rate under the tax law that went into effect this week.

It is estimated that the state will take in an additional $600 million as a result of the new sales tax on gasoline, which is in addition to a flat per gallon tax of 23.5 cents the state has been charging. The reason given for increasing the tax charged on gasoline has been a desire on...