Should STATEWIDE gas taxes go toward mass transit???

[Baltimatt]

Mitchum - BO has it right!! If Montgomery wants Mass Transit in their county - they should pay for it!! Montgomery is the 5th Wealthiest County in the United States but somehow the politicians in that county and Anne Arundel (10th wealthiest) seem to loose all the State Tax money and keep poormouthing. THE GAS TAX SHOULD NOT BE RAISED TO PAY FOR MASS TRANSIT. THE GAS TAX SHOULD NOT BE RAISED AT ALL!! As it currently stands, all Gas tax should go for roads and bridges and NEVER be used for Mass Transit or be stolen by the Governor. Counties that want Mass Transit should pay for it themselves and not burden the other counties with paying for the needs of only the few in Anne Arundle,Montgomery,Baltimore County and the cesspool Baltimore City. I believe Maryland needs a new way of electing State Wide Offices, 1 county 1 vote. Each county holds a caucus to determine who will get the county vote, the one that gets the most counties is elected. As it stands Montgomery & Anne Arundel and Baltimore County & Baltimore City usually elects State Wide Leaders. They also have the highest crime rates among the general population and crooked politicians. Maryland has to end its love affair with Tax & Spend Democrats, especially since the 4 areas mentioned also get over 90% of the State Taxes.

That would violate one man, one vote.

[Baltimatt]

Do you folks realize there is some form of public transportation in many of the even rural counties which the state helps support?

[Seadog]

Do you folks realize there is some form of public transportation in many of the even rural counties which the state helps support?

It seems like everything goes to DC. What if you live on Kent Island and work in Baltimore, like my niece? The best she can do is drive to Glen Burnie and take the light rail from there. Not really worth the trouble.

[Baltimatt]

I was talking more like Carroll Tranist (which doesn't connect with anything outside the county), Allegany County Transit, Shore Transit, etc.

The Annapolis/Baltimore Express bus (210) disappeared years ago.

[BS21213]

Those county rides must be even less reliable (and/or less frequent) than even MTA. I can't imagine!

[Mitchum]

Look at how much the buses that do nothing but run up and down Coastal Highway in Ocean City cost the taxpayers.

Is it fair for taxpayers that don't go to Ocean City to have to pay for that?

It's just the way it is.

[Seadog]

Carroll Tranist is run by a non-profit organization.

http://carrolltransit.org/

No mention of state funding. I know, that doesn't mean thet they don't get any, but one would think that if the state was supporting them, the state would insist on some mention on the web site.

[Baltimatt]

This is from 2009, but MTA gave money to Carroll County (or agencies in Carroll County) and throughout the state.

45 4 Small Replacement Buses ($201,000)
Preventive Maintenance ($145,000)
Vehicles to Non-Profit Organizations - Senior Overland Services Inc. ($110,000)
1 Small Expansion Bus ($62,000)
3 Small Replacement Buses ($186,000)
Maintenance Equipment ($18,000)
Preventive Maintenance ($80,000)
Technology - Operations ($5,000)
On Board Communications ($250,000)

[Eastsider]

Look at how much the buses that do nothing but run up and down Coastal Highway in Ocean City cost the taxpayers.

Is it fair for taxpayers that don't go to Ocean City to have to pay for that?

It's just the way it is.

Are the buses that run up and down in Ocean City state run or are the township buses?

[Mitchum]

If I remember correctly the state funds 90% of the operating costs of the buses in Ocean City but they are operated by the city.

[Seadog]

Thanks Matt. As a big fan of mass transit I think it is money well spent.
What I can't understand is why some people are so set on not spending money for roads when the majority of people use them. So do the heavy trucks that deliver the groceries.