THE GIGANTIC BUDGET DEFICIT in Maryland has prompted lawmakers to introduce a host of new taxes. A flush tax has been passed to pay for sewer upgrades and a car registration fee has been imposed to pay for transportation. A better way to fill the state’s coffers would have been to eliminate the proposed Baltimore to Washington “magnetic levitation train” project.
Last month, the Maryland General Assembly considered adopting budget language to prevent spending $1 million in federal funds to finalize a study of the project before the federal government awards a $950 million grant to help either Baltimore or Pittsburgh build a MagLev line. So far their Senate counterparts in the Maryland House of Delegates have rejected the prohibition in their version of the budget.
