TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE

RE:  HB 139 – TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND – DEDICATED HIGHWAY FUNDS

POSITION:  STRONGLY OPPOSE

The League of Women Voters of Maryland strongly opposes this bill based on our positions in support of “an integrated transportation system and mass transit systems which are efficient, safe, clean and accessible”.  

By restricting taxes and fees paid by drivers of personal automobiles to highway expenditures, this bill fails to recognize the diversity of transportation needs in Maryland.  Yes, many areas of the state lack the development density to support mass transit. But the metropolitan areas of the state need to encourage mass transit use both to relieve congestion on the roadways and to reduce air pollution and its resultant respiratory disease.  This is simply in the interest of the general welfare. 

Further, there are citizens of the state, who due to age,disability or income, are public transportation dependent.  These are productive people who require public transportation for their daily mobility needs.  To ignore them in our transportation system is a travesty.

The logic behind this bill is similar to the logic that says only people with children should pay taxes that support public education.  Long ago we determined that the universal education was in the public interest.  So too is public transportation that fits the needs of the various jurisdictions of the state.

 We urge you to defeat HB 139.