Maryland Senate President Opposes Gas Tax Holiday

Ferguson warns a gas tax pause would halt critical infrastructure projects

Mar. 25, 2026 at 8:27pm

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Maryland's proposal to temporarily suspend the state's gas tax has faced significant opposition from Democrats, including Senate President Bill Ferguson. Ferguson expressed concerns about the impact a gas tax holiday would have on funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems, stating that the gas tax accounts for a quarter of all transportation infrastructure investments in the state.

Why it matters

The debate over a gas tax holiday in Maryland highlights the tradeoffs policymakers must weigh between providing short-term relief to consumers and maintaining long-term investments in critical infrastructure. As gas prices remain high, there is political pressure to offer a tax holiday, but Ferguson argues this would jeopardize important transportation projects.

The details

Ferguson told local radio hosts that a pause on the gas tax would result in a pause on infrastructure projects, since a quarter of transportation funding comes from the gas tax. He said legislators are working to find ways to lower prices, but cautioned that 'we can't afford at the moment to stop the gas tax in order to continue our economy running.'

  • On March 25, 2026, Ferguson expressed his concerns about the gas tax holiday proposal.

The players

Bill Ferguson

The President of the Maryland Senate, who has expressed opposition to a proposed gas tax holiday in the state.

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What they’re saying

“The reality is the gas tax is about a quarter of all of the revenues for all of our transportation infrastructure investments. When we think about our roads, our bridges, our transit systems, 1/4 of all of the funding comes from the gas tax.”

— Bill Ferguson, Maryland Senate President

What’s next

The Maryland legislature will continue to debate the proposed gas tax holiday, with Senate President Ferguson arguing against it due to the impact on transportation funding.

The takeaway

The debate over a gas tax holiday in Maryland highlights the difficult tradeoffs policymakers face between providing short-term relief to consumers and maintaining long-term investments in critical infrastructure. As gas prices remain high, there is political pressure to offer a tax holiday, but opponents argue this would jeopardize important transportation projects.