Senator Robert Garagiola, the sponsor of  an unsuccessful bill in the 2011 session of the General Assembly, to increase the state’s gas tax and use it for much needed infrastructure improvements, says “he would not support the same measure today.”

In today’s Gazette, Garagiola states,

With gas prices significantly higher than last year and a rate increase slated to take effect Oct. 1 for Maryland toll roads, the climate might not be right to try again to pass the gas tax hike in the special legislative session this fall. As recently as April, Garagiola (D-Dist. 15) of Germantown said that a gas tax increase could be brought up again at the special session planned for the fall to deal with congressional redistricting.

The tax hike and the toll increases are both needed, Garagiola said.

“But the reality with the tolls and where the gas prices, where they are and the economy not fully recovered, it’s going to be a difficult time to move a transportation revenue package,” Garagiola said.