ANNAPOLIS, MD— The state of Maryland has become the first state in America to temporarily suspend its state gasoline tax in order to provide residents with relief at the pump. Now the governor is calling on the federal government to do the same and to relax restrictions on domestic oil production.
Today, Governor Larry Hogan today signed emergency bipartisan legislation (SB1010/HB1486) to immediately suspend the state of Maryland’s gas tax for 30 days.
“With this action, which both the House and Senate passed with unanimous support, Maryland became the first state in the nation to enact an immediate suspension of the gas tax,” Hogan’s office announced.
“This bipartisan action will provide some relief from the pain at the pump and it is possible because of the prudent fiscal steps we have taken, which have resulted in a record budget surplus,” said Governor Hogan. “This is, of course, not a cure-all, and market instability will continue to lead to fluctuations in prices, but we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to provide relief for Marylanders.”
“We are also engaged in productive discussion to advance long-term tax relief for Maryland families, small businesses, and retirees, which is supported by an overwhelming majority of Marylanders,” continued the governor. “With our state in a stronger fiscal position than ever before, we simply can’t afford not to let more Marylanders keep more of their own hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets, particularly our seniors on fixed incomes.”