Budget Constraints Prompt Call For Gas Tax In Maryland

Gov. Martin O'Malley wants to take $100 million from the state's Transportation Trust Fund to pay for other priorities, but state Sen. Rob Garagiola's is floating a gasoline tax increase instead. Many shoppers don't like the sound of that.

"No I'm not with that one. Everything's going up, but nothing's coming down," says Jeff, who works in Montgomery County.

But Garagiola says that's just a visceral reaction to the word "tax."

"When they look at our road infrastructure the money has to come from somewhere. I think they're going to be willing to support something as long as they know it goes to roads and transit. They don't want to spend their days stuck in gridlock," Garagiola says.

In spite of the public's skepticism, Garagiola says his proposal is picking up steam and he has more than half of the sponsors needed to pass the bill.