Updates From Galen Clagett

State Likely to Debate Gas Tax Hike - Frederick News Post - January 10, 2012

General Assembly to begin Wednesday in Annapolis

A proposed bump in the gas and flush taxes and new regulations for septic systems are a few of the hot-button issues that could await Frederick County legislators as they head to Annapolis on Wednesday.

The 2012 meeting of the Maryland General Assembly will likely be particularly important for rural counties, some lawmakers say.

In the lead-up to the start of the 90-day session, Frederick County lawmakers voiced concerned about some of the bills and policies that could hit agricultural communities hard.

"I look upon this session as probably one of the most significant of my 25 in Annapolis," said Delegate Donald Elliott, a Republican representing District 4B.

Legislation that curbs septic system use could slow down development in areas far from public water and sewer systems.

Elliott said he is worried these laws would strip local officials of some power over growth in their counties.

In November, a task force advised the governor and general assembly to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to septic legislation.

However, Sen. David Brinkley, who was on the governor-appointed task force, said the panel still recommended stepping up the annual flush tax -- now at $30 per year for each home on septic -- to $60 in fiscal year 2013 and $90 in fiscal year 2015.

As a member of the committee, Brinkley voted against the increase in revenue, which the panel indicated could help upgrade wastewater treatment plants in hopes of cutting down on pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

In addition, the panel decided that new construction in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and other sensitive areas must use the best available septic system technology.

If lawmakers follow the recommendation, septic users could find themselves shouldering heavy maintenance costs, said Brinkley, a Republican from District 4.

"I oppose this as an assault on suburban and rural Maryland and on rural families," he said.

With the challenging economy, one of the biggest debates this session could be whether to pay for transportation projects by ramping up the gas tax by 15 cents over three years, say members of the county's legislative delegation.

Delegate Galen Clagett, a Democrat who represents District 3A, said he opposes the tax at this point.

"I'd like to crawl out of the maze that we're in called the recession before we consider any new tax," he said, adding that he also opposes raising the flush tax. "I think we're hitting the little guy right between the eyes with the taxes and fees."

The gas tax fills the state's transportation coffers, but over the years, lawmakers have used some of the money to shore up other parts of the budget. Some say without securing the fund, state residents won't trust state officials to reserve the tax increase for road improvements and other transportation projects.

Delegate Kathy Afzali said she was in favor of an amendment to the Maryland Constitution that would lock money in the trust fund for use on only transportation projects.

Clagett said he wouldn't approve such a measure and the state needs flexibility to transfer money in order to balance the budget, he said.

Several legislators anticipated that a same-sex marriage bill would come back this session after failing to pass in the House last year.

Afzali, a Republican from District 4A, said the reappearance of the legislation would be unfortunate because it monopolized much of the debate last year and distracted from other issues.