Gasoline tax, tolls increase in Maryland

Change will add about 3.5 cents to price of a gallon

Brian Witte Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS — The cost of driving in Maryland is going up today.

The state’s first gas tax increase in two decades goes into effect Monday, along with the second round of toll increases in less than two years.

In another step designed to build infrastructure, the deadline for 10 of the state’s most populated jurisdictions to implement fees for property owners for stormwater remediation to fight pollution in the Chesapeake Bay also is set for Monday.

While there will be no change to Maryland’s 23.5-cents-per-gallon excise tax, which was last raised in 1992, the state will begin applying a sales tax to a gallon of gas. Starting Monday, a 1 percent sales tax will be added to gas purchases in the first of several increases scheduled over the next few years. In another change, Maryland will begin implementing an automatic increase to gas prices that will be linked to the Consumer Price Index to adjust for inflation.

The changes will add about 3.5 cents to the price of a gallon of gas, with about 3.1 cents coming from the 1 percent increase and nearly half a cent from the indexing for inflation.

The sales tax is set to rise again by another 1 percent on Jan. 1, 2015, and another 1 percent on July 1, 2015. If federal legislation allowing states to collect a sales tax on Internet sales does not pass, the sales tax is scheduled to rise another 1 percent in January 2016.

Gov. Martin O’Malley, who unsuccessfully pushed for a gas tax increase last year, tried again this legislative session and won approval with the help of Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch.

Supporters of the increase noted that after years of neglect, the state was scheduled to run out of money for new transportation projects after 2017 without new revenue. They also pointed to traffic congestion in the suburbs of the nation’s capital and Baltimore and concerns that Maryland would fall behind Virginia, which also approved new transportation revenues this year, to maintain and build roads to compete for jobs.

“You’ve got to regularly invest in transportation to address those congestion challenges and, eventually what happens, people become mired in gridlock, and from a business perspective we need to be able to move people, goods and services to have a vibrant economy,” said Don Fry, president of the Greater Baltimore Committee, said.

On the day O’Malley signed the measure into law last month, the administration announced more than $1 billion in highway and transit projects. The Democratic governor also underscored the new jobs that would be created by the additional construction.

Opponents, however, decried the increases. Delegate Nic Kipke, the House minority leader, said the additional taxes will hurt businesses in a state where taxes were already high in general.

“Before all of these unnecessary tax increases to into effect, Maryland was already the fifth highest cost-of-living state in the nation, and I’m concerned these new costs just increase the hardship of lower and middle income people,” Kipke, R-Anne Arundel, said.

The toll increases taking effect Monday represent the second phase of such hikes approved by the Maryland Transportation Authority in 2011.

Drivers of two-axle vehicles will pay $2 more to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, as the toll jumps to $6 from $4. Tolls for the Fort McHenry Tunnel, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and Francis Scott Key Bridge will rise to $4 from $3 for two-axle vehicles. The toll for the Harry W. Nice Bridge will increase to $6 from $4. The cost of going through the one-way John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway at Perryville on Interstate 95 and the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge on U.S. 40 will jump to $8 from $6.

In addition to the gas tax and toll increases, the state’s 10 most populated jurisdictions are hitting a deadline Monday to set fees for stormwater remediation. However, differences in how the jurisdictions have been addressing the requirement have been considerable. For example, in Frederick County, local officials opposing the idea have set a penny annual charge. Other jurisdictions have set higher fees. Carroll County officials decided Thursday to use county money for the initiative instead of implementing a fee.

Republican opponents, who have derided the fee by calling it “the rain tax,” say they will push to repeal it next year. Kipke said Republican lawmakers have scheduled a Monday news conference to make the announcement and criticize the tax increases. Kipke said he is concerned the initiative will hurt struggling businesses, such as a mall in his county that he says will face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees.

“There are countless stories like that where I fear this new costly fee will be the stake in the heart of employers in the state,” he said.

More here.

Adventuresports Institute at Garrett College recipient of ARC funding

$250,000 will improve educational facilities

For the Cumberland Times-News Cumberland Times-News

WASHINGTON — The Garrett County Board of Commissioners has received a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to improve the educational facilities of The Adventuresports Institute at Garrett College. In addition to the grant, the project will be locally funded at $279,024 and with an additional $50,000 in other federal funds.

The news was announced jointly on Friday by U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, both Maryland Democrats.

“Tourism means jobs in Western Maryland and across our great state. This grant is about equipping young professionals with the important skills they need to showcase the splendor of Western Maryland’s natural resources,” said Cardin. “ARC’s federal-local partnership is investing together in Garrett County’s economy while raising the bar for new levels of responsible, environmental stewardship.”

“This federal funding is an important investment in Garrett County’s economic security and the vitality of Western Maryland,” said Mikulski.  “These funds will help build an industry that keeps Marylanders on the job and encourages people to visit our state. Tourism spurs all parts of the economy — from the adventure sites to the food stands. I will keep fighting for smart federal investments in Maryland communities.”

The Adventuresports Institute is a wholly-owned operation of Garrett College. It was founded as part of a strategy to establish Garrett County as an adventure sport tourism leader.

ASI works with public and private entities to train professionals and produce leaders in adventure sports and recreation industries who have a strong sense of environmental stewardship and community service. This grant comes at an opportune time as its beneficiaries will be instrumental in ensuring that the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championship in 2014 at Deep Creek Lake is a success.

A BEAUTIFUL day in the Deep Creek neighborhood!

Enjoy this postcard summer day!

STEAL THIS HOUSE! 1893 Smouse Rd - 3BR, 2BA, Pleasant Valley - $179,900

Someone is going to get a STEAL on this house! Appraised 1 year ago for $193,000, listed for only $179,900! Owners are very motivated to sell and says all reasonable offers will be considered!

Renovated split level home in Pleasant Valley! Coveted location in the valley with pastoral views surrounding the property. 1 large, grassy acre of land, offering 2 outbuildings. Upgrades include shiny hardwood floors, ceramic tile, 6 panel doors, rear deck, bathroom addition, fixtures and carpet. Lush landscaping, spacious bedrooms, and 3 heat sources make this home worth a look – great value! More here.

Garrett County commissioners OK transportation plan

Priority list now includes Route 135/Sand Flat Road intersection

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners approved the county planning commission’s recommended priority list for nine projects, one of which is new, to the State of Maryland Consolidated Transportation 2014 Plan. The planning commission recommended that a new project, state Route 135/Sand Flat Road intersection, be added to the list for safety reasons, according to John Nelson, director of planning and land development.

“The planning commission noted a number of accidents at that intersection recently, many which resulted in serious injuries and/or fatalities,” said Nelson at Tuesday’s commission meeting. “The problem seems to be one of sight distance, speed.”

The planning commission asked that the intersection be reviewed by experts with the Traffic Safety Engineering Division of the Maryland State Highway Administration.

The remainder of the priority list is similar to last year’s list. On the list again is the U.S. Route 219 North project (North/South corridor) from Interstate 68 to Pennsylvania, which is a No. 1 priority and is part of the state’s CTP. The state doesn’t have most of the funding for the project because it is part of the Appalachian Development Highway System, according to Nelson.

“The problem still lies with the Pennsylvania (line) to Meyersdale section. Pennsylvania argues they don’t have the funding in place for that section,” said County Commissioner Jim Raley.

A letter from Gov. Martin O’Malley agrees to allocate all the Appalachian Regional Commission funds for that project to be complete in Maryland but the project is being held back because of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation planning initiatives, according to Nelson.

The section of the North/South corridor from Somerset to Meyersdale, Pa., is getting ready to go out to bid, according to Raley. The alignment of the section from Pennsylvania to Maryland to where it comes into I-68 still has to be determined by the Maryland impact study, according to Nelson.

The second project on the list is the Oakland bypass, which would relocate U.S. 219 from north of Oakland to state Route 135 (2.4 miles). Elected officials and residents ex-pressed concerns about the bypass during a Maryland Department of Transportation tour last year.

Even though both the North/South corridor and the bypass are on the CTP, there is no capital funding for them or any projects throughout the state, according to Nelson.

“We don’t foresee those projects having any additional funding associated with them,” said Nelson. “The other five remaining projects are essentially community safety enhancement projects.”

Also on the list are the state Route 546 bridge project which goes over I-68 in Finzel and the U.S. 219 resurfacing project that is currently under way from Oak Street to East Lake Street.

The planning commission noted minor changes to those projects on the priority list.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.

Deep Creek Lake a Vacation Destination at Any Season

GARRETT COUNTY, MD – Deep Creek Lake is located in Western Maryland and is a vacation spot for people ranging from those who live in nearby metropolitan cities to all around the East Coast.

“We have Deep Creek Lake which is good with anything in the water like boating and kayaking and we also have a ski resort here in the winter time,” says Sarah Duck, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.

You can go paddle boarding, tubing, or just soak up the sunshine on a boat.

“It’s a real short drive and it’s a beautiful area,” says Jack Carter from Wisp Resort. “It’s not as humid as the D.C. area and so in the summer time you can come out here and escape to the cooler climate.”

More here.

Maryland's 'lawless sheriffs' are upholding our constitutional rights

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-cardin-arpaio-20130622,0,3381459.story#ixzz2XQACjj44

Court reverses Garrett County decision expanding boat-rental competition on Deep Creek Lake

Circuit Judge James Sherbin ruled that the permit was improperly issued.

The county’s planning director says the ice-cream shop can appeal the decision.

More here.

Garrett County will hold tire recycling event

Cumberland Times-News

Man fled boat by smashing window

Michael A. Sawyers Cumberland Times-News

DEEP CREEK LAKE — A Maryland Department of Natural Resources boat operator had to knock out a window to escape from the 23-foot work vessel that capsized and went to the bottom of Deep Creek Lake on the afternoon of May 15, according to a Watercraft Accident Report filed by Natural Resources Police Cpl. Robert Mayles.

The docked vessel began taking on water through an open dive door and then capsized when the operator, accompanied by an attendant, attempted to quickly drive it to a shallow area.

Both men swam to safety and neither was injured.

In his report, Mayles said that Lake Management employees Maxwell N. Anthony, the operator, and Seth M. Metheny were docked at the Discovery Center for about 20 minutes at about 4 p.m. as they were updating their iPads via the center’s WiFi service.

“… During that time the strong winds were causing the waves to break over the side of the boat where the removable dive door is located,” Mayles wrote, describing the waves as being as high as 2 feet.

“After noticing the water filling the bilge, the bilge pump was activated but was unable to keep up with the amount of water coming through the dive door.”

Anthony told Mayles the decision was made to back away from the dock and try to get the boat on plane to allow the water to drain off.

“Noticing the boat listing to the port side and the engine sitting very low in the water, they decided to try and get as close to shore as possible,” Mayles wrote. “Mr. Metheny was attempting to replace the dive door when the vessel capsized.”

Mayles said that Metheny immediately swam free of the boat. That’s when Anthony knocked out a cabin window to escape. Anthony and Metheny were wearing personal flotation devices, according to the report.

The boat went down in Meadow Mountain Cove in about 12 feet of water. The following day, NRP divers and Lake Management personnel used air bags to float the boat and it was pulled to shore. Mayles’ report indicates the aluminum vessel sustained $2,000 in damage.

Besides the cabin window that Anthony dislodged, an engine cowling was broken and radio and other electronic equipment was damaged. The vessel, which is insured, was considered to be disabled, according to Mayles’ report. The report lists Anthony as a boat operator with more than 500 hours’ experience, though it cites inattention and inexperience of the operator as factors that contributed to the accident. No charges were filed.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.