June 13th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

Coming July 1, Marylanders will have to dig a little deeper to fill up their gas tanks.  A tax increase going into effect on gasoline will bring the state’s gas tax to 47 cents per gallon on top of the 18 cents per gallon federal tax.  That makes the rate one of the highest in the country.  Maryland has tied its formula for gas tax increases to the CPI – the Consumer Price Index – which tracks the rate of inflation, along with the average cost per gallon of gas over the year. Monies collected through the gas tax are used to fund road and highway projects throughout the state. Maryland Senator Mike McKay said that it means an increase at the pump of seven or eight cents per gallon.   Attempts in the legislature to decouple the tax rate to the CPI have failed.  The move was voted on over a decade ago and Senator McKay says it is a political issue as well a financial issue.