Rising gas prices start to sink O’Malley’s tax hike

The Washington Times ^ | March 1, 2012 | David Hill

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

ANNAPOLIS —Gov. Martin O'Malley’s proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax is looking more and more far-fetched because of rising gas prices and persistent public outcry, say state lawmakers from both parties.

The Democratic governor’s bill to phase in a 6 percent sales tax on gas has been met with skepticism from Republicans and moderate Democrats in the General Assembly.

Now with gas prices climbing toward $4 a gallon and lawmakers focused on fine-tuning a state budget that could include several other tax increases, some legislators say they are running low on time and political will to tack on a gas tax hike.

“I think it’ll be near impossible,” state Sen. James E. DeGrange Sr., Anne Arundel Democrat, said Thursday. “At this point, I don’t see it having any energy to move forward. With the economy the way it is and gas prices booming, people are outraged.”

Since last year, the governor and leaders in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly have called for an increase in the state’s 23.5-cents-a-gallon excise gas tax, which funds road and transit infrastructure and has not been raised since 1992.

Mr. O'Malley proposed his bill last month that would apply a 2 percent sales tax this year on wholesale gas purchases, then tack on an extra 2 percentage points in each of the next two years.

The proposal eventually could add more than 20 cents to the cost of a gallon of gas.

Supporters argue that a tax increase is necessary to boost lagging transportation revenue and pay for needed road and transit improvements in the state. Mr. O'Malley said a 6 percent sales tax would raise $613 million a year and create 7,500 jobs related to construction and other projects.

[ogen hal]

...reposts

[Buckeye McFrog]

The western section of Maryland is two miles wide at one point. Almost nobody there is going to pay this tax. They will be buying all their gas in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

[KeyLargo]

You can buy these post its. Or make you own for whey you gas up at the pump.

[KeyLargo]

You can buy these post it notes. Or make your own for when you gas up at the pump.

[RedMDer]

I received this email recently

Rally Against the Gas Tax this Saturday!

Please join us this Saturday, March 3rd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the intersection of Route 40 and Winters Lane (Catonsville) to protest the Governor's proposal to increase your gas taxes from 42 cents per gallon to 63 cents per gallon. With gas prices approaching an all time high, YOU can't afford to miss this event.

We will meet on the parking lot of the HH Gregg closest to the intersection. We will have signs or you can be creative and bring your own. We will be sign waving and gathering signatures on a petition to oppose the gas tax hike. This is a rain, snow, or shine event. We are very close to stopping any gas tax increase.

Delegate Steve DeBoy (Democrat) is the latest politician to pledge to oppose any gas tax increase. We need to turn up the heat on Delegate Jim Malone and Senator Ed Kasemeyer and convince them that the working families of their district should not have to pay more taxes to support Governor O'Malley's presidential ambitions.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday at 11:00 AM at the intersection of Route 40 and Winterslane in Catonsville!

Best,

Trish Date, Joe Seehusen and Steve Bailey
Co-Chairs
Baltimore County Chapter
Americans for Prosperity

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

O'Malley ping

[nascarnation]

Let’s see.....

Percentage tax on gasoline

The higher the gas price, the more tax money the state gets

Now let me take a guess:

Number of local media who have labeled rising gas prices a “windfall” for the state = ZERO.

[VastRWCon]

Where can you buy these post-it notes pre-printed? Thanks!

[sickoflibs]

see :#5

[KeyLargo]

Gas Pump “Stick it to Obama” Notes (25 Pack)

http://store.visiontoamerica.com/gas-pump-stick-it-to-obama-notes-25-pack/