ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland commission charged with helping the state raise more than $800 million it needs for transportation annually is recommending increases in the gas tax and a slew of other tax increases and other fees beginning July 1. The biggest revenue generator the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding recommends is a 5-cent increase in the state gasoline tax every year for the next three years, which would bring in $491 million annually. The increase would be the state’s first gasoline tax increase in 19 years, according to commission Chairman Gus Bauman.

The goal is to raise the tax gradually so people can plan around it, Bauman said. “Somebody may say, ‘You know, I’m not buying my kid a big minivan. I’m buying my kid that Ford Fusion.’ ”