June 10th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Maryland Democratic-led General Assembly passed increases in vehicle registration fees earlier this year. Unfortunately, these vehicle fee increases are just the start with new and increased taxes and fees under the Moore Administration. Since the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, the Joint Republican Caucus in the Maryland General Assembly has worked to tally the number of tax and fee increases that have occurred since Governor Moore took office, either at his direction or through the actions of the Democratic majority in the legislature.

338 new or increased taxes and fees, 38 were the product of the 2024 Legislative Session. The General Assembly passed the Paint Tax, the Uber Tax, increases in the Cigarette Tax, and massive increases in vehicle registration fees. Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has the authority to increase parking fees at BWI without legislative approval. In the fall of 2023, MDOT included parking fee increases as part of its plan to close budget gaps. In May, MDOT confirmed that these parking fees would increase by 33-40%.

Overall, the vast majority of these 338 tax and fee increases came through regulation. In 2023, 250 new or increased fees passed through the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee. There have been numerous increases in fees for occupational licenses cosmetologists, electricians, plumbers, and other professions, making it more expensive for Marylanders to simply earn a living. These increases come at the Moore Administration’s request through various government agencies. In May, the AELR Committee received a request from the Motor Vehicle Administration for 43 increases in driver’s license charges and other fees. This is the first set of fees to come before the Committee this year.

Maryland still has a significant challenge as spending is projected to outpace our revenue and large budget deficits loom.