O'Malley wants to put sales tax on gas

Is there no end to the Maryland madness?

Gov. Martin O'Malley wants to apply Maryland's 6 percent sales tax to gasoline, a change that at current prices would add 18 cents a gallon to the cost at the pump.

The increase — to be phased in over three years —would be on top of the 23.5 cents per gallon gas tax the state has been charging since 1992. The change would require the approval of the Maryland General Assembly, where its prospects are uncertain.

O'Malley's proposal — which comes as he also is calling for higher income taxes and sewage treatment fees — drew cries of protest from the service station industry and Annapolis Republicans, among others.

"It shows how out of touch this governor is with everyday Marylanders who are struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet and keep their businesses open and meet payroll," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell, a Southern Maryland Republican.

O'Donnell said the increase would cause businesses to raise the price of other goods and services as their transportation costs go up.

But O'Malley's gas tax plan was praised by business leaders who have argued that Maryland desperately needs more money for highway, bridge and mass-transit projects.

"I think that the business community is overall very pleased and excited that the governor is willing to throw his political weight and influence behind this," said Greater Baltimore Committee President Donald C. Fry.

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