If you’re like me—a lover of classic cars, fresh air, and a little thing called fiscal responsibility—you may want to sit down. Because Maryland, under Governor Wes Moore and his tax-happy legislature, has decided that now is the time to squeeze every last dollar out of drivers in the state.
As of July 1, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is authorized to increase the emissions testing fee from $14 to $30. That’s right—more than double. Why? Because, in their words, the fee hasn’t gone up since 1997. Which, to quote my friend Scotty, is like saying “We haven’t stubbed our toe in 27 years, so we should just go ahead and kick the curb.”
This is part of a larger package of taxes and fees passed by Maryland Democrats who are scrambling to offset a massive budget shortfall.[1] The excuse, of course, is the environment. The Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP), they say, helps reduce pollution and keep our air clean. Which sounds noble—until you realize it’s just another excuse to raid your wallet.
Let me paint the scene. I drive a pristine, cherry-red 1985 BMW 3 Series convertible. It’s a historic vehicle, barely driven except on weekends when the sun is out and the breeze is just right. It’s not belching smoke or killing baby seals. In fact, it’s probably cleaner than the 2012 minivan tailgating me in traffic on I-83. But now, thanks to Wes Moore & Co., I’ll be charged more than double to prove it every two years.
Here’s the thing: this isn’t about air quality. It’s about a government that spends too much and manages too little, and now needs to plug holes in the budget they blew wide open. Instead of making hard decisions—like, say, cutting waste—they’re coming for the low-hanging fruit: drivers, homeowners, and small businesses. Because it’s always easier to raise fees than fix the system.
They tell us the money will go to the Transportation Trust Fund to “improve highways” like I-83 and U.S. 15.[2] That’s nice, except I live in Baltimore County, where traffic is still a nightmare, potholes multiply like rabbits, and the state spent millions on bike lanes no one uses and public transit projects that never got off the ground.
you live in one of the most democratic areas of the country! enjoy it!