Maryland Republicans Propose Emergency Gas Tax Suspension

GOP lawmakers aim to provide 30-day relief as gas prices surge in the state.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 11:32pm

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Both Senate and House Republicans in Maryland are pushing for emergency legislation to halt gas tax collections in the state for 30 days. The price of regular fuel in Maryland has jumped 86 cents since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, with oil prices per barrel surging roughly 50% since the conflict started. Republicans argue that suspending the gas tax will provide immediate relief to motorists, but the governor's office has criticized the proposal, saying it would create a $100 million hole in the transportation budget.

Why it matters

The sharp rise in gas prices is putting a significant financial strain on Maryland residents, and lawmakers are under pressure to provide relief. However, the governor's office has raised concerns about the potential impact on the state's transportation budget, highlighting the difficult trade-offs involved in addressing the issue.

The details

Maryland Senate and House Republicans are proposing emergency legislation to suspend the state's gas tax for 30 days. This would provide immediate relief to motorists, as the price of regular fuel in Maryland has jumped 86 cents since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28. Oil prices per barrel have also surged roughly 50% during this period. While the GOP lawmakers argue that the gas tax suspension will save the average Marylander more than the governor's energy plan, the governor's office has criticized the proposal, stating that it would create a $100 million hole in the transportation budget that the state is already working to close.

  • The Iran war began on February 28, 2026.
  • The average price for regular gas in Maryland was $3.52 per gallon on March 12, 2026.
  • The average price for regular gas in Maryland was $3.82 per gallon on March 19, 2026.

The players

Steve Hershey

Senate Minority Leader in Maryland.

Jason Buckel

House Minority Leader in Maryland.

Wes Moore

Governor of Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“Marylanders are feeling the pressure of rising costs every time they pull up to the pump. We made a good-faith effort to introduce emergency legislation in the Senate to provide immediate relief to motorists.”

— Steve Hershey, Senate Minority Leader

“The House still has a path to get this done through the budget, and we intend to use it. Cutting the gas tax for a month will likely save the average Marylander more than the Democrat's energy plan, Marylanders should not have to wait for relief.”

— Jason Buckel, House Minority Leader

“Marylanders need real relief, not a 30-day gas tax suspension that would blow a $100 million hole in our transportation budget while we're working to close Maryland's budget shortfall.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland

What’s next

The Maryland House of Representatives is expected to consider the proposed gas tax suspension through the budget process, despite the governor's opposition to the plan.

The takeaway

The debate over the gas tax suspension in Maryland highlights the difficult balance between providing immediate relief to residents and maintaining the state's transportation infrastructure funding. While Republicans argue the tax cut will save Marylanders money, the governor's office is concerned about the potential budget impact, underscoring the complex trade-offs involved in addressing rising fuel costs.