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Politics & Government

Maryland Gas Tax Would Remain Well Below Historical Averages

Greater Greater Washington: Even with a tax increase, driving in Maryland is "a bargain."

The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill last week that would increase the state gas tax by more than 20 cents—to 43.7 cents—in July 2016.

The news angered and frustrated Maryland residents—including commenters on Patch.

One small business owner wrote that he fears the increase could hurt the growth of his business.

Find out what's happening in Upper Marlborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While a 20-cents-per-gallon increase may seem enormous, a writer on the Greater Greater Washington blog claimed that overall, “The taxes the government collects on gas will still remain very near their historical low.”

Between 1933 and 1973, the “inflation-adjusted” Maryland gas tax per mile was $0.03 per gallon or more, peaking at $0.04684 in the late 1930s, David C. wrote.

Find out what's happening in Upper Marlborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Claims by Del. Justin Ready (R-Dist. 5A) of Westminster "that Maryland is 'pricing middle-class families, and certainly the working class poor out of' our state are clearly overblown," David C. wrote.

If the Senate passes the legislation, the gas tax would be $0.02113 per mile when fully phased in, he wrote. That would be the highest tax rate since 1978, but well below the historical average of $0.02759 per mile.

In 2013, the tax rate is at its lowest in nearly a century at $0.01233 per mile.

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