County Executive Ike Leggett
“I am very pleased that Governor O’Malley, Senate President Miller, and Speaker Busch have joined forces to ensure that the Maryland Transportation Trust Fund has the needed resources to maintain and improve our State’s roads and transportation systems and grow jobs and business into the future.“Several years ago, I virtually stood alone in advocating for an increase in the state’s gasoline tax -- which hasn’t been increased since 1992, when George Bush Senior was President. It wasn’t popular then, and it isn’t popular now. But we needed it then, and we still need it now.
“This will help replenish the State’s Transportation Trust Fund and assist counties throughout the state to advance major transportation infrastructure. Inaction costs commuters even more time stuck in congestion and costs the State jobs and investment.”
Council President Nancy Navarro
“Thank you to Governor O’Malley, Speaker Busch and Senate President Miller for proposing a serious transportation solution. Maryland’s economic future rests on our ability to fund our state’s transportation priorities. The proposal to lower and index the gas tax, while adding a sales tax on the wholesale price of gasoline, will keep Maryland’s transportation funding and gas prices competitive with our neighbors across the Potomac River.“Governor O’Malley’s proposal recognizes that we will rise or fall together—as One Maryland. His statewide solution will raise revenue to fund projects from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. Having resources available to build our transit infrastructure and maintain our roads and bridges will help our private sector grow and economy thrive.
“I look forward to working with our delegation in Annapolis over the next six weeks to pass the Transportation Infrastructure and Investment Act of 2013.”
