As Maryland State Senator Roy Dyson (D: 29th) enters his 18th session in that position next month, he is optimistic that there will be no effect from the 90-day session on the state’s taxpayers. That may be a tall order considering the state has a more-than-$1 billion shortfall and the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.
Dyson, before winning the election in 1993 to represent St. Mary’s and portion of Calvert and Charles, served in the U.S. House of Representatives during the Reagan administration and before that was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. The conservative Democrat is in unabashed admirer of Reagan, with several pictures of himself with the “Great Communicator” prominently displayed on the walls of his Great Mills office.
Concerns about proposed increases in the gasoline tax and the flush tax were on the minds of several constituents who met with Dyson on December 19 at the Lexington Park Library for a town hall meeting.
Karen Fennell, a union and health care activist, noted that the gas tax increase would disproportionately affect the poor and would impact people’s ability to get to jobs. Dyson said he would not support the increase, but he also noted the road needs in Southern Maryland, particularly the proposed new Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge.
Dyson said the transportation trust fund had been depleted by urban projects such as the Inter County Connector (ICC). “It is my contention that the ICC drained all future dollars.” He said the more populous jurisdictions also have lagging road needs and they would win out over Southern Maryland if the gas tax is increased.
Dyson said he has worked hard over the years to preserve the rights-of-way that could be used for a light rail connection to Southern Maryland. Such a project, like the Solomons bridge project, would be very costly.
Regarding the original flush tax, which Dyson opposed, he said the idea was to put money into upgrading sewage treatment plants and septic systems along the shoreline. But Dyson added, There never was an agreement in the legislature that the dollars not be used for new development,” but that in fact has happened.
Dyson cautioned those at the meeting that there have been no bills introduced on either the gas tax or the flush tax. “I don’t know what is going to happen,” he admitted, adding, “Nothing is out there. No Bills. No Letters. They are all trial balloons.”
Mary Ruth Horton, with United Seniors of Maryland, noted the disproportionate impact of such tax increases on seniors with fixed incomes.
Dyson was asked if the gas tax and flush tax issues and the controversy over PlanMaryland weren’t issues pitting rural and urban legislators. Dyson, who is vice chairman of the Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee, said he didn’t think that was the case, noting that the committee chairperson, Joan Conway of Baltimore City, is also opposed to the gas tax increase.
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