Maryland lawmakers are homing in on plans to raise some toll rates for the first time in a decade and to place a new fee on electric vehicles to start solving a roughly $3.3 billion transportation budget deficit in the coming years. Del. Marc Korman of Montgomery County, the leader on transportation policy in the State House, said a final bill could be targeted to just out-of-state drivers. State toll prices have not increased since a 2011 decision led to hikes that year and in 2013. Former Governor Larry Hogan cut toll prices in 2016 and 2019 — a relief to drivers but a loss of more than $500 million for the state.
What’s ahead: Though Senate President Bill Ferguson of Baltimore City initially indicated that the Senate would not consider such revenue increases until after the Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs (TRAIN) Commission’s final report next year, the recent moves by the Senate and House indicate a plan could come together before the current session ends April 8.
