Maryland residents experienced an increase in vehicle registration fees and tobacco taxes on Monday, aimed at funding transportation projects and education. The state legislature approved the vehicle registration fee hikes to bolster the Transportation Trust Fund, with rates increasing by 60% to 75% depending on the weight of vehicles. Additionally, a new fee was added to ride-hailing services and electric vehicles.
The tobacco tax increases include an additional $1.25 tax on a pack of cigarettes, raising the tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes from $3.75 to $5. The state estimates that these tax increases will generate around $91 million for K-12 education.
Other new laws included extending Maryland’s ban on smoking in public indoor areas to vaping, the implementation of Governor Wes Moore’s plan to fight child poverty, restrictions on traumatic activities during active shooter drills in schools, the reestablishment of a workgroup to study pretrial home detention monitoring systems, and the creation of a local delivery service permit for alcoholic beverages.
These actions are expected to add significant funds to the state’s Transportation Trust Fund and contribute to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education funding plan. Overall, these changes aim to improve transportation infrastructure, support education initiatives, and address pressing social issues within the state.
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