Maryland?s House appeared poised Wednesday evening to approve a $50 million dedicated fund for the Chesapeake Bay and other environmental initiatives, but funding sources could prove an obstacle as delegates prepare to reconcile differences between their plan and the Senate?s.
Delegates debated a proposal to draw funds from the state?s gas and car rental taxes to create a new “Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund,” replacing long-thwarted attempts to establish a “green fund” by taxing construction. The Senate last week also voted to reserve $50 million for the trust, but diverted funds from the state?s Program Open Space.
Del. Maggie McIntosh ? Democratic chairwoman of the House?s Environmental Matters Committee ? said, “It?s kind of like robbing Peter to pay Paul. We need to be expanding money for the environmental and natural resources, not taking from it.”
Under McIntosh?s bill, the fund would draw $13 million from the state?s gas tax and $37 million from car rental taxes, which in Maryland are 23.5 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively. The bill, scheduled for a final vote today, requires about 30 percent of the fund to support best practices on local farms, 30 percent for local governments? stormwater management and 30 percent to support state pollution programs. About 10 percent would fund urban park projects.
McIntosh said $50 million would bring the state within 60 percent of nutrient-reduction goals set seven years ago with a 2010 deadline.
Some lawmakers have expressed concern with using gas tax dollars, which feeds the state?s transportation trust fund, to pay for environmental initiatives. Del. Don Dwyer, an Anne Arundel Republican, said there?s a “good chance” he may vote against the proposal for that reason.
“Internally, we refer to it as the transportation slush fund,” Dwyer said. “Yet again that fund is being invaded, granted for a good purpose, but nonetheless invaded.”
