Maryland lawmakers won’t intervene to stop automatic 7-cent gas tax increase despite calls to do so

Maryland’s top legislative leaders said Wednesday that the state cannot afford to miss out on $200 million in new funding for roads, bridges and transit projects provided by an upcoming automatic increase in the state’s gas tax, effectively guaranteeing higher pump prices starting July 1. The decision followed calls from other top state officials in recent days for the General Assembly to hold an emergency special session to address the tax, which is tied to inflation and will increase about 7 cents per gallon as drivers are watching gas prices climb to record levels.