Opponents of a continue their efforts to defeat the bill in the court of public opinion.
Protesters gathered along Route 40 and Winters Lane to wave signs at passing motorists and collect signatures on petitions at three gas stations along the intersection.
The gathering Saturday morning in Catonsville was the latest in a number of such rallies this year organized by the Baltimore County chapter of Americans for Prosperity. The group advocates for smaller government.
Hafiz Habib, owner of the BP and Gulf stations at the intersection, said he supports Gov. Martin O'Malley but opposes the gas tax.
"He does a good job for Maryland but this bill is not good for Maryland," Habib said.
O'Malley has proposed a 6 percent sales tax on gas. The money raised would go toward transportation projects.
The fate of the bill is uncertain and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said the bill may not see a vote until late in the session.
If passed, Habib said the new tax would hurt his business.
"Business is down," Habib said. "Higher taxes will drive business down. Gas prices are already very high. People don't have jobs and no income and can't afford the high (price of) gas."
Not everyone who passed through the intersection supported the group's efforts.
One man who pulled away before identifying himself, drove through a gas station parking lot to yell at the protestors.
"We live in a civilized society and we pay taxes," the man yelled from his Subaru Outback. "If you dont want to pay taxes, move to Haiti."
I do not believe we can do much about oil and gas prices right now. Maybe in the future, but not right now. What boggles my mind is that liberals are supposed to be concerned about working people - and the response on this board by the libs is "I have a fuel efficient car, too bad for you!" Here is the problem - how does food get to Giant and Safeway? How does anything get delivered to stores for consumption? What about your Fedex and UPS packages? Big secret - transportation companies LIKE increasing gas prices because if they can time it right, they can put a fuel surcharge on their shipments and do very well on this. Even something as basic as a burial vault is going to cost more. Democrats buy milk and cheese, they buy diapers, they need to bury family members. Just because you have a 40 MPG car does not save you from this. So my question is, with all of the waste that the state has, how can anyone support a gas tax now? If the Democrats are looking out for the little people, this clearly will hurt them more than wealthy independents like me.
The working class tax cut is going into everyone's tank.
I enjoy constructive debate on issues of the day, but take offense to being labeled a liar because I refuse to follow the socialist mentality of more & bigger government.
Paul, the term YOU LIBERALS is a generic statement and you know it, so stop with your juvenile semantics, and name calling. You're pretty brave calling someone a liar from the comfort of your computer. So, like Lorna, I am done with you too. Why do I have the feeling that you are also known as Robert Armstrong?
Developers slapped together thousands of plastic shacks that were built to minimum standards at best, (minimum code requirement). These plastic shack development's were masterfully marketed with beautiful model homes, coupled with shady lending practices. Unknowing consumers bit the carrot and made what amounts to most, their largest life investment believing that they were getting a fair dollar value. Homes built to minimum standards are not energy efficient regardless of how deceptively they have been marketed. Energy Star appliances are an illusion that the gov. participated in to help with this huge consumer deception. I do not refer to the custom home market here, but rather, the majority of homes built in perceived affordable developments. By design, the consumer got screwed and the price of greed amounts to very high cost to live in and maintain these plastic shack homes. To date I have not seen a well done residential housing development that put the dollar value for the consumer ahead of excessive profit.
How about some creative brain storming in place of the very creative jib a jab stuff. I believe that we have a lot of really great talent committed to many of these types of blogs.....we should seek solutions in place of blame....just a thought..
Have a good day.
First point, developers and homebuilders have 2 complete separate functions in real estate and usually they are 2 non-affiliated companies. The developer buys the land from the owner, processes development plans through Baltimore County and after approval, puts in the utilities, roads and storm water management. The homebuilder buys the finished lots from the developer pursuant a contract negotiated between the 2 of them. The homebuyer buys finished lot and finished home from the builder after it is completed. Everyone along the food chain is trying to pay as little as possible for what they are buying while the seller is trying to sell it for the maximum amount possible. Just good 'ole capitalism at work. The buyer of the home was trying to sell their existing house at the maximum price as well. Regarding fair value for the biggest investment of their life, price paid and value received is nothing but a perception, no reality. The house is worth what a willing buyer and willing seller agree upon. Prices were going up almost weekly, both in the new home market and the resale market. In actuality, as more homes are sold in the resale market, the bust was more prevalent there. Regarding quality, homes are built to a "minimum" building code. Continued.....-->
Lastly, you asked to see a high quality development in Perry Hall. I suggest you visit the community of Shadowcreek in Perry Hall. It is just north of the intersection of Bangert and Forge Haven. Sorry for the long post.
Homes built to minimum requirements, sold for maximum dollars have literally broken the backs of thousands of young couples just starting out. Not at all something to be proud of. We can do better.
The Governer of Maryland has very broad discretions of spendning of funds. If the Governer has a likeminded House Speaker and leader in the Maryland Senate, we essentially have a three person Government. Remember, four of the richest counties in America are in the state fo Maryland. By any means, it is not a poor state; therefore, a "we can afford it" attitude prevails amoung Legislators. That's the way it is in Maryland, like it or not. As for the price of gasoline, I have several observations. The price of gasoline in Europe has no relevence anymore than the price of gasoline in Madagascar. I've been to Europe many times, and the countries are very different. My wife could always find me on Avenue St. Michael. That's because I along with many Germans and Scandinavians am at least a foot taller than most Frenchmen. My fourteen year old daughter was taller than anyone in the family where we stayed. Frenchmen and Italians and other Europeans can fit in these small cars. At 6' 2", I cannot fit in a new smart car along with many small cars on the market today.