Amend MD Gas Tax Bill - Money Must Be Spent Smarter
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 9, 2011
Groups to testify at the 1pm hearing of the Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
Contact:
Stewart Schwartz, CSG, Tel. 202-244-4408 x121
Dru Schmidt-Perkins, 1000 Friends of Maryland, 410-385-2910 (o), 410-258-8601 (cell)
Transportation Advocates Seek to Amend Gas Tax Legislation:
“Money Must Be Spent Smarter”
Annapolis: Transportation advocates today released bold policy amendments that would ensure new revenues from any gas tax increase would be spent in the best interest of the public.
“The federal, state and local governments are broke. We cannot simply raise taxes to throw more money at a wish list of projects. It’s time to re-evaluate all our transportation spending priorities. Every dollar must move Maryland towards a sustainable future of greater transportation choices and less dependence on foreign oil,” Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth.
The proposed amendments would:
- Require any new revenue raised under the proposed gas tax increase to fix Maryland’s existing infrastructure, move forward on key rail investments, and expand bus service for all communities;
- Target local revenues on fixing and maintaining existing infrastructure; and
- Ensure that new road construction serves existing communities.
“If Marylanders are asked to pay more, each dollar must be invested wisely. Residents need better and more affordable transportation choices. We cannot afford to continue business as usual, building the same congested, high-cost transportation system,” said Dru Schmidt-Perkins, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Maryland.
In recent polling, voters saw transportation – traffic congestion, the condition of roads and bridges, and the high cost of getting around – as the second biggest issue facing the state, second only to the economy.[1]
Transportation decisions impact our economy, environment and the ability for Marylanders to get to work. Maryland’s gridlock and lack of transportation alternatives hurts everyone. The groups called on the State to revisit near-term spending decisions and long-term project lists to fund investments that meet growing demand for more transportation choices and increased energy efficiency.
View Transportation for Maryland’s position statement at www.friendsofmd.org.
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1000 Friends of Maryland works to protect Maryland’s natural areas and open spaces, improve the quality of life in our communities, restore once vibrant cities and towns, and improve public transportation through meaningful public participation, education, research and advocacy.
Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization addressing where and how the Washington region grows, partnering with communities in planning for the future, and offering solutions to the interconnected challenges of housing, transportation, energy and the environment.
[1] Public opinion polling: Smart Growth America Survey in Maryland: Strategic findings from survey among 325 voters statewide conducted November 16 – 22, 2010 by Hart Research Associates.
