The Need for Enhancement of Transportation Revenues, March 14, 2012

1. Maryland Transportation Financing and
Infrastructure Investment Act of 2012
The Need for Enhancement of Transportation Revenues
March 14, 2012

2. Why We Need Transportation
Revenue
Congestion
 The Washington, D.C. metro area has the highest delay per
commuter nationally, with Baltimore ranking 6th.
 There are currently 5 congestion-relief projects that could be
rapidly advanced with a revenue increase.

3. Why Increase the Gas Tax?
Declining Tax Rate
 As gas prices have soared from $1.08 a gallon in 1992 to $3.59
in 2011, the effective tax rate of the current 23.5¢ per gallon gas
tax has plummeted. Further, estimations based on the highway
and street construction portion of the producer pricing index
(PPI) show that the purchasing power of the existing gas tax has
declined by 80% since 1992.

4. Tax Rate Still Below 1992 Level if
Proposal is Approved
 If passed, the proposed application of the sales tax to fuel
purchases would bring the effective gas tax rate up to 11.2%, far
below the 1992 effective rate of 21.3% (when transportation
revenue was last enhanced).