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Kathy Snyder, Maryland Chamber of Commerce president, on why she is defending Maryland’s choice to raise the gas tax to better fund the transportati...
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Cents per gallon of regular today that's according to AAA -- is now a good time.
To raise the gas tax democratic governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland thinks it is in -- Maryland chamber of commerce is in favor.
Of a higher gas -- as well Kathy Snyder is president and CEO of the Maryland chamber of commerce thank you so much for coming nine.
To defend this point of view because we are having a difficult time understanding it Maryland right now the president gallon of gas -- triple -- 391.
Which is higher than the national average so why do you think it's a good idea -- at a gas tax on top about.
The Maryland chamber has been promoting for the past eight years.
That we need to better fund our transportation network in Maryland there is no money and Maryland to fund any new building of roads highways bridges.
Or DN.
Big -- -- -- projects that we have in Maryland we have the sixty billion dollar shortfall over transportation needs.
That there is no money to build sell for eight years Maryland chamber has called for an increase in our state gasoline tax.
Hasn't been racist 1992.
So while we realize it did it's difficult for people look at the price of a gallon -- gas.
Yeah very important to fund our infrastructure.
A couple of questions cap -- let me start with the fact have a I'll -- stimulus money that the president was putting out -- that was supposed to be for shovel ready jobs.
Are you mad -- get any of that if you have roads that that need work in your haven't.
Got any money for an eight years.
Maryland has been very good about that except that that stimulus money came with a stipulation.
That he had -- for shovel ready projects that they weren't a lot of paid -- that went on some maintenance projects that we're taking care -- but nothing new in Maryland.
So anywhere in Maryland if there's a new road bridge highway or transit project if there's not a shovel in the ground there is no money to build it.
Maryland and Baltimore and if we at the fifth.
Highest congestion in that country in the Washington suburbs of Maryland -- number one congestion in the country even over.
Even over LA so it's important for us to do something about that safety reasons economic development reasons -- -- the chamber of commerce you represent you know business owners and runners and CEOs from your area.
How do you think they feel about the fact that you wanna raise the gas tax that's money.
That you know directly does not go -- to being their customers it basically comes out of their pocket -- -- the driver and I'm forced to paid at the pump.
I'm gonna buy -- bagels.
Fewer purses.
-- were anything else you would spend your money on the must hate you for doing this how they -- nobody wants to raise taxes especially in this recession.
But time is money in business says if you have a product -- service or even an employee that have to get to a customer client's office or home.
So think cable think your utilities.
Think retail if you're spending time in your track.
And you can't get to that place that's gonna cost you more money -- -- in the long run.
Vehicles are becoming more fuel efficiency gas tax is a short term answer for us.
The governor has proposed raising the sales tax.
Or at applying the sales tax -- a gallon gas we're talking about against tax increases yeah.
Kathy have you heard from your constituents about this have you heard from the people on the chamber of commerce.
We absolutely have on not everybody's happy with our position but we had a grassroots process.
And the majority of our members are supporting our effort to improve the infrastructure in Maryland.
OK Kathy thank you so much for coming up you keep us posted on what happens -- K thank you so much.
Well I think it's safe to say that theme of our showed this week has just been the rising cost of oil and integrate gasoline is up next -- Tell yet to be some investment ideas on how to play the high price to your advantage so stick around for that.
Also ahead.
And later -- -- back from.
