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SALISBURY, Md. – Maryland is facing the possibility of its first sales tax increase in nearly 20 years, with a proposal from a Baltimore City lawmaker to increase the sales tax from 6% to 7%. But Gonzalez’s latest poll shows 60% of Marylanders oppose the increase, with opposition rising to nearly 70% among East Coast residents.
As inflation continues to impact the prices of goods ranging from clothing to food, a proposed tax increase by Democratic Representative Robin Lewis of Baltimore City is generating controversy. Lewis argues that additional revenue is needed for the Maryland Transportation Trust Fund, which is expected to face a multibillion-dollar deficit over the next six years.
Carl Anderton, a Republican representative from Wicomico County, strongly opposes the tax increase, noting that many Marylanders already shop in Delaware, which has no sales tax. “Go to Christiana Mall and look at all the Maryland tags in that parking lot. There’s a reason. It’s not because it’s a nice place to go. It’s because everything is 6 percent cheaper. ” Anderton said.
Shoppers like Helen Dalmetka have also expressed concerns about the burden of the sales tax increase. “People are already paying a lot of money for groceries and other things, but I think it’s going to be a little bit more expensive because there are so many things that people need other than groceries,” Dalmetka said.
Carmeletta Cain said she opposes the sales tax increase, but anticipates it and would approve of it if it would improve Maryland’s roads.
“The roads, especially in Maryland, are pretty bad, so I’m all for it if tax dollars are used for that,” Cain said.
A spokesperson for Gov. Wes Moore said the governor does not support tax increases and any tax-related discussion would require substantial justification.
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