Maryland House Republicans Push Gas Tax Holiday, Rejected By Democrats

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – House Republicans offered numerous amendments to the Democratic majority’s FY 2027 Budget during debate this morning in the Maryland House of Delegates. 

Delegate Todd Morgan offered an amendment to provide a 30-day gas tax holiday, and splitting the estimated $100 million cost with funds from the Strategic Investment Energy Fund, the Rainy Day Fund, and the Fund Balance left in the Budget.

“This is about affordability,” said Delegate Todd Morgan who offered the amendment. “Our drivers need a break; we need to put some money back in people’s pockets.”

House Democrats called the proposal a “gimmick”.

“I don’t think saving Marylanders forty-six cents a gallon is a gimmick,” said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy. “That is, on average, seven dollars per fill up, with multiple fill-ups per month. This could save Marylander’s more in thirty days than the energy bill we passed will save them all year. This is real money.”

“I think it is disingenuous to characterize our proposal as a gimmick given that that this body passed a similar gas tax holiday four years ago,” said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel. “It certainly does not appear to be a gimmick in other states where Democratic legislators are moving forward with gas tax holidays. The bottom line is the Democratic majority in Maryland is not giving Marylanders a gas tax holiday because they simply do not want to.”

After the Democratic majority rejected the gas tax holiday, House Minority Leader Jason Buckel offered an amendment simply to prevent the automatic increase in Maryland’s gas tax, which could happen as early as July 1 of this year.

“If we cannot give them relief with a gas tax holiday, let’s at least let them know we will not make it worse,” said Buckel.

Republican members also offered amendments to roll back the increases in vehicle registration fees, the increases in emissions fees, repealing the failed Tech Tax, and repealing fishing license and stamp fee increases for the elderly. All would have taken effect next year with no negative impact on this year’s budget. Each effort to make Maryland more affordable was rejected.

While measures to make Maryland more affordable were rejected by the Democratic majority, House Republicans did score a victory for accountability.

The one bright spot in today’s budget debate was the acceptance of an amendment to provide more transparency and accountability for non-profits who receive state funds. The agreement came after weeks of work between House Republican leaders and House Democrats.

“I am grateful that we were able to come together on the important matter of accountability for these non-profits who receive taxpayer funding,” said Buckel. “I appreciate the willingness of the majority party to work together to get something done.”