Residents, lawmakers and small business owners from Maryland’s Eastern Shore poured into the auditorium of Kent Island High School in Queen Anne’s County last night and unleashed a volley of blistering verbal attacks on the Maryland Transportation Authority Board, which proposed a three-fold toll increase on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge two months ago–shortly after the close of the last legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly.
“I just can’t afford the astronomical hike in an economy verging on another Great Depression,” said a Kent Island resident who chose anonymity. “I don’t make as much money as I did before and my home has lost value. I’m giving up a lot of the simple pleasures in life, and I’m just trying to survive…but with gas prices and everything else going up, this is the straw that will break me. I will have to start balancing tolls with my prescription medicine…that is how slim a margin my household is working on right now…I really think the Governor has no idea how we are struggling to get by.”
Before the meeting, Maryland Delegates representing the Eastern Shore showed up in mass for a press conference to call on Governor Martin O’Malley to stop targeting the Eastern Shore as major source of funding for the Inter-County Connector in Montgomery and Prince George’s County.
“I think it is important that we protest these toll increases. It’s outrageous, It’s wrong, and the MDTA Board and the Governor need to be told that,” said Maryland Senator E.J Pipkin (R36) at the press conference. “These bridges are bought and paid for, and they are profitable operations for MDTA. All they’re doing here is increasing the profits on the backs of Eastern Shore residents to pay for the ICC.”
Members of the Eastern Shore delegation warned that toll increases will further discourage businesses and tourists from initiating commerce where the Bay Bridge is a factor, and the increase will further compel businesses and consumers to look towards Delaware.
“We’ve got more businesses leaving Maryland than coming here,” said Maryland Delegate Michael A. McDermott (R38). “I can’t tell you how many times I was contacted in the last three months by business owners who were thinking of moving their operations to Delaware. If this happens, Maryland would [lose] tax revenue.”
Delegate Jay Jacobs (R36) said that Delaware doesn’t need an economic development plan if Maryland continues to increase the cost of doing business on the Eastern Shore.
“Certainly Queen Anne’s County is more affected by this bridge toll more than Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties,” Jacobs said. “This just keeps adding onto our burden on the Eastern Shore. In 2008 we had a 20 percent increase in the sales tax, and it sent more people Delaware. This year the alcohol tax was a 50 percent increase–now that’s another crowd going to Delaware. Well guess where they will go when you get a 300 percent increase in your bridge toll? Delaware can now take economic development off the line item in their budget, because we are the best there is for Delaware’s business.”
Swan Cove Day Spa & Salon Owner Brenda LeCompte of Stevensville said the increase could do irreparable harm to her business and impact her 30 employees.
“I have 30 employees who will be impacted by this, and we have a significant amount of people who come from across the bridge once or twice a week for our services,” LeCompte said. “It’s just going to crush my business…I really can’t see how this is fair at all, it’s a huge increase, let’s do our best to stop it.”
Maryland Delegate Michael D. Smigiel, Sr. (R36) said he was troubled by the lack of information provided by MDTA prior to the meeting, and he believes the toll increases were “pulled out of thin air.”
Smigiel also said he unsuccessfully asked the MDTA for the study that was the basis for the toll hikes.
“They said they didn’t have it,” Smigiel said. “They said it would take awhile to get everything together and that they wouldn’t even know where to begin to look for it.”
Residents and Eastern Shore lawmakers showed total contempt towards the MDTA members during the meeting and accused Governor Martin O’Malley in absentia of trying to dupe the Eastern Shore into paying the lion’s share of the Inter-County Connector in Montgomery County. The ICC only recently began collecting a nominal toll, which pales in comparison to the increase slated for the Bay Bridge. Ironically, the ICC toll will be the only toll in Maryland that is exempt from a toll increase, according to Pipkin.
The scheduled hikes proposed over the next two years climb to a 300 percent increase for Shore residents who commute over the Bay Bridge for work and business. Toll rates would climb from $2.50 to $5 beginning Oct. 1, and by 2013, the non-subscriber rate would go to $8. For EZ-Pass subscribers, the toll goes from $1 to $1.80 this October, then to $2.80 by 2013.
Audience members who spoke were applauded with standing ovations as they made their case to kill the toll increases under the weight of desperate economic times. Business owners and residents told stories of plummeting home values, falling wages, job furloughs and the lack of gainful employment. In a passionate plea to rethink the toll increase, one speaker said that all the increases being levied on Maryland families by state and local governments were a “death by a thousand cuts.”
As the crowd filled the auditorium, one MDTA staffer said she had not seen a crowd as large at any of the other toll meetings on the western shore.
“There were only about 20 people at the last meeting, and I can remember one meeting where only three people showed up,” the staffer said. “But it looks pretty close to a full house tonight.”
A representative from Americans for Prosperity gave a rough head-count of 1000 attendees.
Pipkin opened the initial volley on MDTA board members to a packed auditorium — calling for common sense.
“What Governor and what board would propose a 300 percent increase in your cost when you are facing some of the toughest times in this country’s history…it does not make good common sense,” Pipkin said to charged crowd. “The numbers are about taking dollars out of your pocket and transferring it to pay for the ICC.”
Pipkin also asked for a show of hands for anyone who regularly uses the ICC; only one hand in the packed crowd went up. He also implored every speaker after him to educate the MDTA board members.
“You educate this board to the pain and suffering and the struggle that an increase of this magnitude will cause you and your family,” Pipkin said. “All they’ve heard from is the Secretary of Transportation, and the Governor signed off on it. Tell [O’Malley] what it is like in the real world tonight.”
Smigiel told board members that they were out of touch with his constituents.
“I need [the board to] understand that it’s not that people don’t to want pay for an increase, they can’t pay an increase,” Smiegiel said defiantly.”What comes into my office all week long is people losing their homes, people having problems getting food on their tables to feed their families, and that’s because we are in a depression…we are not in a recession – we are in a depression.”
Smigiel accused O’Malley of being sneaky with the summer recess — by calling for a toll increase after the legislative session ended. Smigiel also said that O’Malley will try to put the new gas tax into effect before the October 1 session.
“They want this over and done with before then,” Smigiel said angrily.
The most compelling comment of the evening came from a Retired Army Col. Harry Dermody, who served 35 years in the Army. He said he was disabled and had one car with an Ez-pass and another car that he used when paying the cash rate.
“I have to go across the [bridge to the doctors] pretty often, and we probably cross the bridge eight to 10 times a week,” Col. Dermody said. “If I take a look at what is here with regard to the proposals…it goes from $600 to $1,800 a year. That to me is ridiculous.”
Col. Dermody took further issue with the lack of information available to the public prior to the meeting, and said he couldn’t find any data or report from the MDTA website that explained the costs and revenues associated Maryland’s tunnels and bridges. When he called MDTA for the information, he said he ran into a dead end.
Dermody proceeded to scold the board members for lackluster performance in their duties and then recounted his days as a commander in Europe – responsible for 18,000 troops and a $250 million budget.
“If I had ever seen what’s been done on this staff, I’d have fired every one of you,” Dermody said. “If I take a look at the [MDTA] costs that are on those boards [in the lobby], I see $609 million of which our Bay Bridge is $75 million; I can’t find any other revenue, and I sure as hell don’t know what it costs for the ICC and the new extension on I-95. You people gave us nothing to come into this meeting to talk to you coherently on how you got to this point. As I said before, had you been in my command in Europe, I would have fired you.”
The day after our story ran on the Bay Bridge toll hikes, we received a response from Jack Cahalan, spokesman for MDTA Chairman Beverley K. Swaim-Staley, who said the current rates charged for the Bay Bridge were too low for the year 2011. He echoed the talking points from the education video that ran at the beginning of Wednesday’s meeting. Maryland Delegate Jay Jacobs (R36) then responded to Cahalan.
“MDTA facilities, including the Bay Bridge require a constant infusion of dollars to operate, maintain and rehabilitate structures that are an average of 50 to 70 years. You can’t build them and forget them. And in many cases, it cost more to rehabilitate them than to build them. The Bay Bridge is an example. The westbound span opened in 1973 at a cost of $148 million while today it cost $172 million just to re-deck and re-paint. This kind of substantial rehabilitation work at all MDTA facilities is what is driving the need for a toll increase, not just the ICC.” Cahalan said. “The MDTA understands that there is never a good time to raise tolls, but the fact of the matter is that the base toll rate for a passenger vehicle crossing the Bay Bridge hasn’t been raised since 1975. In fact, it still costs less to cross the bridge today than the day it opened. Meanwhile, the cost of operating and maintaining the MDTA’s bridge, tunnels and turnpikes continues to rise. You can’t pay 2011 bills with 1975 tolls.”
Delegate Jacob’s response:
“In response to the toll not being raised since 1975, I would like to know the total monthly tolls collected in 1975 verses the total monthly tolls collected now?” Jacobs asked. “I would bet that the revenue collected now is much higher then in 1975. There is undoubtedly more traffic crossing these bridges daily. In this economy with record unemployment, record gas prices, and increases pretty much across the board on all goods because of higher fuel costs, now is not the time for these ridiculous increases in tolls.”
sheila says
I know I’m math challenged, but how does a 1% increase in sales tax become a 20% tax increase? And the same with the 3% tax increase on alcohol being a 50% tax increase?
Mailman Jack says
If the rate is 5% and you increase it to 6%, that is a 20% increase. As a fraction it would be shown as 1/5, or 20/100, of an increase. Additionally, when the tax on alcohol goes from 6% to 9% it is a 50% increase. ( 3/6 = 50/100). It is based on the increase of the percent.
Gren Whitman says
The only reason for collecting a toll on the Bay Bridge is to pay for keeping the spans safe and operational. That’s a user’s fee, and should be no more or no less than what’s needed.
I don’t use the Intercounty Connector, but if I did, I’d be willing to pay a user fee (toll) for that privilege.
However, it isn’t fair to ask people who use the Bay Bridge to pay more than what’s minimally needed to maintain and operate the bridge. If more is needed for roads and infrastructure, etc., elsewhere in the state, it should come from general funds, not from tolls.
Pipkin and his GOPher cronies are often so wrong … but not on this one.
I smell another petition to get this on the ballot!
MBTroup says
You buy a $1,000 TV @ 5% tax; total cost: $1050
You buy a $1,000 TV @ 6% tax: total cost: $1060
Excess tax paid $10/Original Tax Paid $50 = 20%
Total increase in total cost: <1%
There's the distinction.
John Seidel says
A 5% sales tax means you pay $5 for every $100 you spend. Increasing the tax to 6% means you pay $6 per $100, or $1 more. $1 is 20% of $5 – a 20% increase.
The alcohol tax went from 6% to 9% – that’s 50% more per dollar than you used to pay.
The total revenue to the state from these two increases is 20% and 50%, respectively – the other way to look at it is that you and I both pay 20% and 50% more taxes in each case.
Anna says
Prior to 2008, the sales tax was 5%. Therefore, the 1% increase enacted in 2008 was equivalent to 20% of the old tax rate.
For the alcohol tax, when the old rate of 2% was bumped to the current rate of 3%, the additional 1% was equivalent to 50% of the old rate.
Kevin Shertz says
sheila, you calculate a percentage increase like this:
(Amount of increase/Initial value) * 100
so, for the sales tax:
(1/5) * 100 = 20%
and for the alcohol tax:
(3/6) * 100 = 50%
John Vail, Worton says
How many Spy readers does it take to explain a principle of simple math? Five . . . apparently.
MD Eastern Shore says
My suggestion is that the toll be time of day congestion priced as a way of maximizing revenue and reducing congestion. That way we collect the most possible from the western shore people who clog it up Friday nights and Sunday nights and collect a minimum amount from casual users during the day (like the people who go over to shop or take doctor visits or whatever). $8 hardly seems excessive for a round trip on the bridge… can you imagine how expensive and slow a ferry would be?
I still don’t know what a GOPher is. People use it here all the time, so it must be insulting, but I do not get it. Help me out and let me in on the insult. I promise not to be offended.
Keith Thompson says
@MDES,
While I prefer the concept of user fees as suggested by Gren meaning that the users of the intercounty connector should be the ones paying for it, your suggestion of increased weekend rates to concentrate on the beach traffic from the Western Shore is an interesting idea. They raise the toll rates on Del Rt. 1 on weekends across the state line.
As for “GOPher”, I believe it originates on a local blog and I’ve interpreted it over there as simply a humorous shorthand for Republicans. I’ve never asked about the “gopher” connotation, but I’m an independent so I’ve never found it offensive.
Carl Crowe says
Has anyone heard why there is no toll adjustment for the ICC?
observer says
MD Eastern Soore said — “My suggestion is that the toll be time of day congestion priced as a way of maximizing revenue and reducing congestion. That way we collect the most possible from the western shore people who clog it up Friday nights and Sunday nights and collect a minimum amount from casual users during the day (like the people who go over to shop or take doctor visits or whatever).”
In Delaware (referred to by Mr. Jacobs) the state charges $2.00 toll at the C&D canal bridge from Friday ebening until Monday morning, to take advantage of out-of-state motorists coming to the DE and MD beach resorts. All other times, the toll is $1.00. Maybe that’s a slant that MD Eastern Shore would like to propose on the Bay Bridge — increase the Friday evening through Monday morning tolls, leaving the present tolls for the other days.
Steve Payne says
“A representative from Americans for Prosperity gave a rough head-count of 1000 attendees.”
I guess the Koch brothers were there watching out for us poor commuters.
Edith says
What is the position of the various groups in Queen Anne’s County, i.e. Queen Anne’s Chamber of Commerce, Business Queen Anne’s, Queen Anne’s Conservation Association, Board of Realtors, etc?
Why aren’t they out in front organizing their members against this, or perhaps FOR the toll increase since it would make fewer people want to move here, and stop growth?
Chestertownie says
What seems to be missing from this discussion is the hard data that Delegate Jacobs has requested. Where is the fiscal report from MDTA showing each facility as a cost/revenue center. Can the MDTA demonstrate that the Bay Bridge toll needs to be $8 in order to support the current and future operation of the Bay Bridge? If not, then the toll increase is designed as a general revenue enhancement for MDTA infrastructure elsewhere in Maryland. That is not a fair or sound approach. If the other MDTA facilities/needs operate at a deficit, then ALL of Maryland should shoulder the burden of subsidizing those facilities, not just those who cross the Bay Bridge.
This really is a question of math. Eastern Shore delegation = 3 senators and 10 delegates.; Montgomery County delegation = 8 Senators and 24 delegates, Prince Georges delegation = 8 senators and 23 delegates; Baltimore City delegation = 6 senators and 18 delegates. Guess who is going to win this battle?
Keith Thompson says
Chestertownie’s math adds up (and I’m not good at math). Short of secession, what can the Eastern Shore do? I don’t have the answer. I wish I did.
MBTroup says
@Keith/Chestertownie: I get that the topic is esoteric, but the broader point I try to make here
https://www.chestertownspy.com/troups-corner-is-this-seat-taken/
is that ES delegations need to bring something tangible to the table, so that they can be heard on the larger issues. And C’townie may enjoy the discussion at the bottom, given his/her algebra from above.
Keith Thompson says
@Troup,
This may be the issue that brings something tangible to the table, as in giving the Eastern Shore residents a real life example of how state policy is directly taking money out of their wallets. What I’m searching are ways for local governments to be able to make their own decisions which is going to be difficult to do with such a top-heavy state government.
gerry maynes says
Hi, Start a partition for the Easter shore to consider Secession from the state and send feelers to the Stae Of Delaware. I guess that that would wake up the powers to be in Annapolis. Do nothing and the state will continue to stick it to the region. In my opinion( with 8 bucks will get you across the Bay) you good folks are once again getting Raw deal.
NorthBrook John says
Didn’t attend the meeting on Kent Island, but saw some of the protesters interviewed on tv, and read the Star-Dem coverage. IMO, there are a few slants to these protests.
You’ve got the GOP politicians who are fighting this for the good fight. Happy to see Pipkin and Jacobs out in front.
You’ve got QA County politicians- namely one, Bob Simmons out there. Since when has he ever supported the working man, the commuting family or the consumer forced to shop over the bridge because there is no place to shop in the County? He’s out there in the name of the Tea Party, and as a right-winger, anti-O’Malley voice.
You’ve got angry commuter residents, who moved over and have paid the $1 fare for years (i’m one of them))
You’ve got the business people- they know this will hurt from the supplier side and the sales side
You’ve got QA County dems making statements against the toll increase- isn’t this toll increase a democrat proposal?
Makes me think there is more posturing than real concern- the upper shore has gone R just about completely for residents, and more every day. This increase in tolls all of a sudden is just another nail in the coffin for the democrats. We probably would have swallowed a gradual predictable increase, but this percentage of increase at the worst economic time is just bad public relations. 2012 can’t come soon enough.
Shoulda-left-it-alone says
The major problem Maryland faces is the mismanagement of the funds that come from every motorist who travels the roads and pays bills. The monies are no longer being spent on road system preservation, but are being funneled into paying for the operating costs of the mass transit systems in MD and DC. Baltimore’s Metro and Light Rail, Washington’s Metro rail, and the commuter bus service that does not even come clost to covering it’s own operating costs, and last year just about cost Marylanders 1 Billion dollars to keep it going. And they want more……https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Planning/Transit_Funding_Study/Documents/DecemberMeeting.pdf Guess who is going to pay for that? Welcome to the Eastern Shore….
Warrior Bob Kramer says
MDES: I still don’t know what a GOPher is
A GOP’her is a Republican… but it takes less key strokes.
A Dem is a Democrat…
ObamaCare is healthcare reform that some folks love and others hate.
CofK is County of Kent within the Province of Maryland.
Bottom line… less chances to misspell words. 🙂
BTW, I like your idea on the Bay Bridge tolls.
MD Eastern Shore says
Well Mr. Warrior, I appreciate the user guide you have assembled, and I bet I’m not the only one. Thank you. I’m kind of surprised that there’s not a pejorative connotation to the “GOPher” tag, given who seems to use it most often.
That said, it seems like the protesters here are really late to the game; this toll increase is only the latest insult and money grab. I’ve been observing for years that the state paves and stripes highways like 213 what seems like every other year, which surely is far too often, and if they simply slowed that down and spent the money on the bridge, this would all be avoidable. And does anyone else wonder how the road department comes to have the brightest shiniest yellowest newest equipment money can buy? Does any of those road workers drive something more than a year or two old? We have a 97 truck, an 04 car, and an 07 car. I should be so lucky.
And oh yeah, I pay 100% of my pension and health care costs, as well as 67% of the college tuition for illegal immigrants. But I digress!
I’m reminded of that bumper sticker one sees sometimes: “Don’t steal. The government hates competition.”