I am not opposed to this, however, I would like to see some of the money used for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Improving safety for these modes of travel would lessen the traffic and improve the quality of life for state residents.

This. So much this!

I agree we need transportation infrastructure upgrades, but we've been paying for them for years.

Guys, this is a serious misconception. The current gas tax (as well as tolls, other user fees, etc.) pays for only a fraction of road costs (34.6%, to be exact). The rest is paid for out of the general fund. The state transportation fund isn't raided to pay for other things, the general fund is raided to pay for transportation costs. The fact the gas tax hasn't been raised for decades, along with better fuel economy, means we're raiding the general fund more and more and more to pay for roads. It makes no sense for the general population to continue subsidizing drivers, especially drivers from other states who get by only paying a fraction of the cost of the MD road they're using.

http://taxfoundation.org/article/gasoline-taxes-and-tolls-pay-only-third-state-local-road-spending

Note the conservative, anti-tax Tax Foundation's opinion is:

"Expanding tolls and indexing gasoline taxes for inflation may not be politically popular even though transportation facilities and services are highly popular. Given that transportation spending exists, states should aim to fund as much of it as possible from user-related taxes and fees. Subsidizing highway spending from general revenues creates pressure to increase income or sales taxes, which can be unfair to non-users and undermine economic growth for the state as a whole."

Common sense, though, as they note, politically unpopular. People never want to pay the real cost of things.

jag: The day they can document that the money actually goes to what they say it will, will be the day I gladly agree with the tax.
Hell, they can make it 5 cents across the board. Our gas taxes currently are middle of the pack. I was firmly against the 3 stage 15 cent increase, but never against something smaller.

Remember all the money from gambling that was supposed to go to education?
Yeah...

There's virtually no direct spending accountability when it comes to this. I suppose there is when it comes to bonds taken out, but otherwise it's one general slush fund that purpose specific taxs and fees are fed to. This is the problem. Bait and switch, then cry for more funds down the line (remember the marriage tax?)

Indeed, revenue raised from different sources is, essentially, all put into 1 basket at the end of the day (which I can see why some would find that problematic). However, also at the end of the day, the gas tax/tolls/fees doesn't come close to cover the cost of road infrastructure. That's not an accounting trick or a funding misallocation, that's just the simple fact of revenue raised via gas tax/tolls/fees v. money spent on roads.

If someone finds that to be okay and wants to continue subsidizing drivers to a larger and larger degree (assuming costs, logically, rise due to inflation and aging infrastructure while the gas tax remains flat for decades), then fine. Personally, I think the massive and increasing subsidization doesn't make sense on any level. Obviously, current proposals barely make a dent in the subsidy and don't even come close to the 800 mil the transportation panel says is needed, but I'll gladly take even a small step forward considering it's a tax everyone pays which, obviously, makes it largely unpopular and politically problematic. It's certainly much easier for politicians to raise taxes only on uber-rich!

First of all, we'd have to assume that 800 million is 'really' needed to begin with. Call me skeptical.

In either case, I'd much rather see direct accountability instead of white lies in taxation. All it allows is free tax raising in the name of "education", "transportation infrastructure" or whatever other hot button issue that people want to see fixed.

At some point, you go to the well too many times. That's where this State's leadership is with many folks - and not just the anti-government neo-cons.

It's time for them to put up the evidence in reasonably proper spending, or shut up and get out and let someone else take a crack at being a half decent legislator.

Well said Tom, I have been saying that for years. The state plants large plantings in the middle of Ritchie highway, that I can't afford to buy for my own home, yet they can afford to do it with money collected from various taxpayers. Drive down College parkway, the plantings look terrible in 10 years because they are barely maintained. Plus cars crash into them all of the time or they die and then it looks ridiculous because they never have the money to replace the ones that are destroyed. I don't need brick facades on my bridges...here again, I couldn't afford that when I had my house built, so how can the State afford it?

Mike V. Miller - old, fat white guy (26 years in power). Michael Busch - old, white guy. O'Malley - old, white guy. Awesome leaders of the "progressive" movement! These guys are truly an awesome display of our multi-culture, multi-generational state.

Good stuff "M.", it sounds plausible to me! Was the room bugged?

This is great and true. I mean it sounds like you were really there!!!!LOL

1. please look up what "cronyism" is.
2. If you were hit by the income tax increase last year (a fraction of a percent for individuals making 6 figures and couples making over 150K) then you're not anywhere near "working class", fyi.
3. Yes, state tuition went up 3%. Not sure what you think that means. UMD system is, obviously, already heavily subsidized, just like the roads you're complaining about having to pay a little bit for. I'm sorry the subsidies aren't as high as you wish, but, unfortunately, money doesn't grown on trees and things aren't actually free. I understand paying so little for so long has made you feel entitled to said artificially low costs; sorry they're trying to burst your bubble.

Oh, I'm with you there (not that I know anything about the specific projects you're referencing), but every time I think about how much money was spent on the ICC i want to throw up.

@Other Tim

You are so right. There is just so much waste with money going on and that's the really sad part. Things could be so much better if there were better oversite, but the politcal machine and bureaucracy are just to ingrained.
We would literally have to start over....

Other Tim, to question your facts, but can you give me the proof that bridge cost $2 BILLION? I have to seriously doubt your number.

That's def. a typo. A big one. haha.

As this new bridge cost $165,000,000 and your bridge cost $2 BILLION, perhaps we need an audit Other Tim?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/14/hoover-dam-bridge-new-bypass_n_763619.html#157544

That Charles Street Bridge job cost $52,202,000. My buddy worked on it and I just texted him.

Steve, even that seems high? I presumed Other Tim was only talking about the Charles Street Bridge, not all of the ancillary stuff done, like the 83 bridge and 695 road widening as well as Bellona Avenue?

Jag,

What is the salary range of working class, lower class, middle class, rich?

Don't be dumb, Chris W. Working class, by definition, is below-average income. 150K, by definition, is above-average income.

@Michael:

It's simply their mantra, their brand. It's certainly not exclusive but they own those words just the same, perhaps association has something to do with it :).

Look we all know what O'Malley did a "Fee is not a tax" that and the incredible Stupid of Montgomery and prince Georges county who voted to stop BGE raising thier bills got O'Malley elected. No one dis agrees,However Montgomery and prince Georges County Aren't served by BGE they were and are almost totally PEPCO.Then O'Malley took" A fee is not a tax " and said I'll triple that ! Keeping all Erlich Fee rs and raising them from two to four times for some . Tolls ? O'Malley thought Taxpayers meant Rolls and wanted increased dough at everyone.Stop your BS Steve ,people are out of jobs and paying more in taxes ,tolls ,fees and whatever O'Malley minions need to please. People like FIFA ,You and all the others that party with MOM and work for him we know about your Polls. No one trusts them .Opinion Works the firm is funded by O'Malley through a trick SBA Grant Given by Anne Arundel County Yet the $100,000 the ownet hey his name is Steve is fully Funded by state of Maryland. Annapolis Patch January, 2012 Full story they Won grants.Is that YOU Steve?

It was for the complete redo of the both bridges and the surrounding intersections. It wasn't the price for just the single bridge. I just looked at the SHA website as well.

Out of the $52,202,000 I think the Feds contributed $49,848,000

So we are closer to $2,000,000 as the state's cost it appears. Other Tim was close, he missed by a multiple of 1,000! Smile OT, your heart was in the right place. Your number just didn't pass the smell test.

OT, I am very familiar with the road. But first let's start with facts. You said $2 Billion and according to Steve it is Maryland's cost at $2 Million. That is a 1,000 fold mistake The roundabout, both bridges, exit onto northbound 83 were a mess, an absolute disaster that needed fixed. Was it worth the price versus traffic lights? I don't know the condition of the bridges, I am not a civil engineer, but for $2 Million, pay the money to fix it.

There is no need for Planning because it is nearly identical to all the other new bridges built over the Beltway.

C'mon Jeff, I see you deleted your comment about the "bridge". But it is pretty neat huh? Reasons for building the bridge were twofold, eliminate backups over Hoover Dam and reduce bombing threats over Hoover Dam as well.

LOL The Planning stage was when they decided to expand the Beltway by another lane whenever that was......

It's not free, they have to pay the instate tuition.

Chris, do you have links to your data?

I'd be interested in your links also. Virginia Beach is exploring spending a lot of money to extend Light Rail from Norfolk to the Oceanfront. I have been trying to warn them for years on their Virginian-Pilot forums about what they are getting themselves into. One big pro-Light Rail argument is that they can afford to maintain their highways and somehow this train would be a cheaper way to solve local commuting issues.LOL!

Chris, you make some very good points here. I would also like to point out that the middle class pays a good fair of Federal income tax, which is for projects like highways which is for the entire public. Even if one does not drive a car ever commodity (food, material and service) people consume requires some type of transportation. The money problem we have is how the funds are spent. I object to more taxes because I see fraud, waste and abuse. If there were better controls, I would consider a higher sales tax. More of our Federal tax dollars should come to our state for roads and public transportation. How fair is that process? Too much politics!!!

patricia, just once you should try and have an actual original thought and contribute to a conversation. Your inane rant is identical to every inane rant you have in every since article. Get a life or get an education, PLEASE.

patricia, if you want your thoughts taken as a serious post by us "progressives", don't show the "regressive" part of your personality by terms such as "Owemalley". I would hope such usage is beneath you.

You can go find the financial statements and budgets on the State website if that is what you wish. Comprehending them may be a problem, they are complicated.

Sorry FIFA and jag - name calling is highly appropriate. Owemalley is funny and goes to the root of the problem. And don't forget - Monsieur O'Malley always, ALWAYS plays partisan. He insults VA and their governor, he insults republicans, he openly mocks fiscal conservatives. Sorry, I don't think it is beneath us to make fun of his old, ragged butt. He and Mike V Miller are old, ugly white guys ruining "progressive multi-racial MD" and laughing about it. I am NOT a social conservative so I will give him props on the gay marriage thing - frankly it is nobody's business - but when it comes to finances these guys are tax-heavy hacks who won't address the real problems of this state.

I DON'T support the purple line - at least right now. We should put that off... get the fiscal house in full order - and then start that back up. How about finishing the 12-year DT silver spring transit center first?

Most roads in VA are excellent, except around Hampton Roads/Norfolk. But, they are now debating putting a toll on I95. Delaware has tolls coming and going for what must be the worst 10 mile stretch of I95 in the country.

Who are you Mr. Maier to scold others with your uninformed "opinions". One of the purposes of "ridicule" is to hopefully have the "ridiculed" be more careful when they make purported statements of fact, then do not defend it as a typo, but "read" it somewhere. He earned it.

"Why do roads cost more?" What a generalized piece of "analysis" is that? "Do you know our tolls are 3X more than our neighbors?" There is more great analysis. As they say in Missouri, "show me". If you are "stuck" in Maryland, I will be glad to buy you a one way bus ticket to any one of our neighboring states.

PS - you earned this ridicule as well.

Mr. Maier:
I'd have to say in large part I would agree with your comment. I get your point. Keep in mind that we are not dealing with the "pick of the litter" here....myself included.

Most of these folks seem to have good intentions, but get caught up "sniping" each other and when all is said and done, nothing really gets resolved or least agreed on.

There are several folks who appear to offer nothing more than attacks and do not seem capable of discussing topics in a rational manner. That's their right I suppose.

It's tough to be an Independent minded person and read all of these comments (I know nobody is forcing me)....I don't read them all anyway.

Reading some of these threads to me, explains in a microcosm what is wrong with our state and country. It's reflective of the attitudes portrayed by our elected leaders.

Let's hope that the future will be brighter, more common ground can be found so that we can all prosper.

OT, how much was that bridge?? You can't even laugh at yourself.

PS - his "thoughts" were not intelligent either. You thought you had a $2 Billion bridge over the Beltway. I suggest you let it go OT and just laugh it off. But do what you wish.

PS OT - upset? No. I have yet to see a single fact that I have ever stated on the Patch be found as false. Not one. You screwed up yesterday, Big.

You might not like my opinions, but you can bet on my facts. Ravens win by 10!

@Jeff - couldn't be much further from the truth in Mr. Maier's case. What started as a seemingly benign thoughtful post by him turned into a rant on Maryland and incorrectly stating "facts". Allowing "facts" to go unchallenged when patently false results in getting more of what you tolerate. More urban legends are then born. The internet is the "Creator" of almost all urban legends today. Just look at the references to "I just read this email", that is exactly how the Kenyan Usurper Hawaiian Devil Baby was born and lives on today.

"Other Tim
1:26 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
One of the top name calling, insulting and scolding posters on the Patch getting upset because someone has an intelligent thought. Now that's funny. And sad."

Are you denying you were referring to me? I thought you were better than that? Darn, but that was my opinion. Man up.

Fido telling someone to "man up"? Wow, comedic post of the day. LMAO

Gosh OT, caught again.

"FIFA, I did not name anyone in particular,"

Poor Fido. His little feeling were hurt and now he's having another tear gusher again. LMAO

David, I agree with your comments well. It's all about politics, power and money. The middle class losses. Where is it better?

Term limits would be nice.... then at least they only get to screw you once ( in theory ). But hey... Marylanders love these guys and keep voting them in.....

@Jeff -

"Finally, did you know our Tolls cost 3 times the amount that other states charge? I took a trip with a trailer in-tow and Maryland was by far 3 X more than our neighbors. True Highway Robbery!!!"

For your review above:
- Delaware Turnpike $6 for 3 axles and $7 for 4 axles
- JFK Highway $6 for 3 axles and $12 for 4 axles - these rates are only paid one way, thus they are effectively $3 and $6.

Patently false.

PS Jeff - our toll road is much longer than the Delaware drag strip.

Never and never.

I don't see why it's so hard to understand that you simply can't go on forever with the gas tax from 1991. It's called inflation, it's called older infrastructure, it's called things not being free. I freaking hate people who whine about the prospect of having to pay their fair share. God forbid the tax be raised once a generation. Good grief.

It's called wasteful tax and spend libbie nutters.

Oh, believe me, I think spending the amount of money we do building roads to 3rd ring suburbs and crap is obscene. But that's what those constituents (usually Republicans, if you must know) demand.

But I know you're just doing the same, dumb, illogical "libs suck" comment you've made, literally, 10,000 times. Maybe someday you'll have the intellect to think on an even marginally deeper level.

Right on! Keep fighting, we'll get to the mountain someday.

Oh I so agree with that. In the sample ballot that was sent to everyone if people took time to read the bigger explanation of what you were going to be voting for no one would have voted for the expanded gambling Question. Sad to say even the expanded explanation was pathetic but just enough to explain how bad an idea this was. Maryland voters that voted for this have no idea of what they did and that goes pretty much with all of America and the sheep that vote. I have said there are some people that just should not be able to vote!!!!

Events, I would agree with you if, and only if people had real options other than driving. High gas prices (which taxes do increase) have a disproportionate affect on the poor.

I would love to see rail (light to heavy) on all of the old rail lines to start serving the areas that were once accessible by rail.

Gas prices are higher in Deleware, genius.

Penelope Patch,I do have to agree with Jag.You are a "genius".LOL.Why would any one want to move to DELAWARE? OH I don't know?Because they have NO sales tax?They are on top 10 LOWEST list,for property taxes in the country?They have NO retirement tax? So WHY stay in Maryland,JAG(genius)?

Cities will start looking good, you know, the ones your parents and grandparents left because Black people lived there.

I'm so glad Delaware doesn't have an imaginary "retirement tax". You sound almost as smart as Penelope pining over Delaware's higher gas prices.

jag, you have to look at the larger picture...Delaware (check your spelling) has higher gas prices, but most other costs are relatively less. In addition, it is a retirement-friendly state.