Show on:
Thurs, February 10th, at 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sun, February 11th-13th, at 6:00 p.m.
Political Pulse is on Montgomery Municipal Cable (Channel 16 TV)
February 08, 2011
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman will be on the "Political Pulse" TV Show
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman will be on the "Political Pulse" TV
Show on:
Show on:
Garagiola: Increase gas tax by eight to 10 cents
This headline could as easily be, "Garagiola policy would limit pollution, repair roads, pay for transit." That is, if Maryland uses thoughtful, long term planning to favor transit such as the trackless rapid transit Montgomery County Council member Marc Elrich champions--as it appears we must and will. The proposed lockbox amendment provision should not be limited to this issue, however. The legislature should have authority to dedicate funding sources to important objectives, if only to counter-balance the tremendous power the Governor and Board of Public Works wield in appropriations.
Garagiola: Increase gas tax by eight to 10 cents
Baltimore Sun: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2011/02/garagiola_wants_to_raise_gas_t.html Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola this morning revealed a few new details about his much anticipated transportation package of legislation.
The bill is still shifting, but it will likely include an eight to 10 cent increase to the gas tax and as much as a 50 percent cross-the-board hike in motor vehicle registration fees, he said. The current gas tax is 23.5 cents.
A key element of Garagiola's bill will be a constitutional amendment that puts the new transportation revenues in a lockbox. The idea is to wall off the funds so future governors can't transfer transportation money to pay for day-to-day state operating costs.
He outlined the idea last week with a group of business leaders who also support higher taxes as long as the money stays in transportation. Gov. Martin O'Malley moved $100 million away from roads and transit this year, and has employed similar maneuvers in the past.
The constitution can't be changed before November 2012 -- so in the meantime any new money from a gas tax increase would be fair game for transfers. Garagiola (a chess player) said it's important to think a few years ahead.
His bill also won't specify that funds should go to counties -- but he intends about $100 million to help them. He noted that the sum is deceptively low, because the infusion of cash will also allow the counties to borrow more from Wall Street if they so choose. The counties are receiving $420 million less in road repair money than they did in 2006.
The bill is still shifting, but it will likely include an eight to 10 cent increase to the gas tax and as much as a 50 percent cross-the-board hike in motor vehicle registration fees, he said. The current gas tax is 23.5 cents.
A key element of Garagiola's bill will be a constitutional amendment that puts the new transportation revenues in a lockbox. The idea is to wall off the funds so future governors can't transfer transportation money to pay for day-to-day state operating costs.
He outlined the idea last week with a group of business leaders who also support higher taxes as long as the money stays in transportation. Gov. Martin O'Malley moved $100 million away from roads and transit this year, and has employed similar maneuvers in the past.
The constitution can't be changed before November 2012 -- so in the meantime any new money from a gas tax increase would be fair game for transfers. Garagiola (a chess player) said it's important to think a few years ahead.
His bill also won't specify that funds should go to counties -- but he intends about $100 million to help them. He noted that the sum is deceptively low, because the infusion of cash will also allow the counties to borrow more from Wall Street if they so choose. The counties are receiving $420 million less in road repair money than they did in 2006.
February 07, 2011
TONIGHT Saving Social Security
7:00 pm TONIGHT Feb 7, 2011
Join National NOW President Terry O'Neill and Healthcare Activist Donna Smith (featured in Michael Moore's SiCKO) for an important, informative, enjoyable Town Hall on Saving Social Security from efforts to slash benefits, raise the retirement age, and even privatize the system.
Wheaton Regional Library, Georgia and Arcola Avenues--Meeting Room downstairs.
Join National NOW President Terry O'Neill and Healthcare Activist Donna Smith (featured in Michael Moore's SiCKO) for an important, informative, enjoyable Town Hall on Saving Social Security from efforts to slash benefits, raise the retirement age, and even privatize the system.
Wheaton Regional Library, Georgia and Arcola Avenues--Meeting Room downstairs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
