Day: March 22, 2013

House approves gas tax hike of 10 cents per gallon or more

House approves gas tax hike of 10 cents per gallon or more

The intensely debated gas tax hike electrified the house floor on Friday moving many delegates to speak who “hadn’t planned on standing up.” The two hour debate, culminated in a hotly disputed vote, ultimately passing 76 votes to 63.

HB 1515 raises Maryland’s gas tax by at least 10 cents per gallon or more over the next two years, indexing it to inflation, with aims to fund mass transit projects and highway improvements.

Gas tax tally leaves Republicans shouting

The House of Delegates passed a $2 billion gas tax hike 78 to 56 Friday afternoon. Or did it pass 76 to 63, as we were told later, after delegates switched their votes?

It was all over but the shouting at 1:42 p.m. when the reading clerk hit the tally button on his touch screen monitor, but there was plenty of shouting by outraged Republicans.

State Roundup, March 22, 2013

Gas tax hike could mean 13 to 20 cents on the gallon by mid-2016; House committee weighs changes to assault-weapons provision of gun control bill while Gov. O’Malley and Lt. Gov. Brown urge voters to call delegates urging passage of bill; federal court upholds Maryland’s handgun permitting law; three bills would put curbs on abortion; legislation would expand maintenance of effort to county critical services statewide; minimum wage hike bill is dead; spay-neuter bill would create fund in an attempt to limit stray animal population; House OKs bill to stop handheld cellphone use while driving; will Del. Dwyer become a DINO?; and President Obama to designate Tubman Underground Railroad monument on Eastern Shore.

Campaign finance reform passes in House and is moving in the Senate

A major campaign finance reform bill cleared the House of Delegates Thursday, and a Senate version of the bill is now being considered in committee.

The bill would increase campaign contribution limits and stiffen penalties for those who fail to disclose their contributions. It was unanimously passed by the House of Delegates.

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