WASHINGTON – Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is still pushing for a gas tax, even after the measure failed in the General Assembly.
O’Malley was confident that shifting the state’s 6 percent sales tax to a gas tax would help his measure pass, and raise the gas tax for the first time in 20 years.
The current tax on gas in Maryland is 23.5 cents, and just over 24 cents for diesel.
The gridlock over gambling in Maryland overshadowed his plan, O’Malley said on WTOP’s “Ask the Governor.”
“The fact of the matter is we’re still trying to provide transportation that worked on a 23-cent flat tax that’s been in place since 1991,” O’Malley said.
Even though the General Assembly wrapped up last week, the measure could be brought up again in a special session if one is called.
He said the state will continue to pay the price of increased congestion and increased traffic if the issue isn’t addressed.
“The issue won’t go away,” he said. “Whether we have the consensus and the will to address it remains to be seen.”
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