'Progress' on Transportation Funding

The drive for consensus on a new financing plan for transportation projects apparently inched forward today.  WYPR’s Karen Hosler reports.

Karen Hosler: Governor Martin O’Malley met with Senate Democrats for what proved to be a lengthy review of tax schemes to pay for urban mass transit and rural roads. Senate President Mike Miller said it was a good sign that the governor seemed to be looking for a deal.

State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller: It’s late in the session for moving forward, but it’s definitely progress. You never say never.

Hosler: O’Malley has repeatedly stressed the importance of moving soon to upgrade Maryland’s congested roadways, but has left it to Miller to lead on the politically difficult issue.

Miller: I think the Senate moved him in that members expressed a willingness to move forward, and I don’t know that he feels there’s that same support in the House. And I think he’s going to explore that opportunity.

Hosler: House Speaker Mike Busch is quietly trying to figure that out for himself. I’m Karen Hosler, reporting in Annapolis, for 88.1 WYPR