Maryland Senator Calls for Special Session to Reduce Gas Tax and Address State’s Gun Violence
Senator Mary Beth Carozza continues to call for a Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly to stop Maryland’s automatic 10 percent gas tax increase which went into effect on July 1st. She also renewed her support for the Special Session to act on legislation to address Maryland’s gun violence. According to Carozza, the Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation, which she has opposed, that makes it more difficult for law enforcement and the Judiciary to hold juvenile offenders accountable. Carozza noted that she personally has talked to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, her Senate colleagues on both sides of the political aisle, and local State’s Attorneys and law enforcement about the need to move forward as soon as possible with bipartisan legislation that penalizes repeat violent offenders and restores law enforcement’s ability to search vehicles for illegal guns and to speak with juvenile suspects.
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Senator Carozza Calls for Special Session on State’s Crime Crisis and Gas Tax Cut
Annapolis, Md. – Senator Mary Beth Carozza (R-District 38), who earlier called for a Special
Session to stop Maryland’s automatic 10 percent gas tax increase which went into effect on July
1st, renewed her support for holding a Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly to act
on moving legislation now to address Maryland’s gun violence and reduce the State gas tax.
“Over the Fourth of July holiday, we saw Maryland’s largest mass shooting in Baltimore that left
two dead and 28 others wounded by gunfire and another shooting involving juveniles right here
on the Shore in Wicomico County with one dead and six others wounded,” said Carozza, whose
district includes Wicomico County. “We in the Maryland General Assembly should take
immediate action now and show a sense of urgency in passing meaningful legislation with
accountability and consequences that goes after gun violence.”
Carozza noted that she personally has talked to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, her Senate
colleagues on both sides of the political aisle, and local State’s Attorneys and law enforcement
about the need to move forward as soon as possible with bipartisan legislation that penalizes
repeat violent offenders and restores law enforcement’s ability to search vehicles for illegal guns
and to speak with juvenile suspects.
According to Carozza, the Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation, which she has
opposed, that makes it more difficult for law enforcement and the Judiciary to hold juvenile
offenders accountable.
“Urgent matters call for urgent action. This dramatic spike in juvenile gun violence across the
State of Maryland more than justifies a Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly,”
said Carozza. “When I joined with my Republican colleagues last month to call for a Special
Session on reducing the gas tax, I realized it was a heavy lift but believed there was an opening
with the Governor who indicated that he did not support an automatic gas tax increase. This was
before the mass shootings in Baltimore and in Wicomico County, and now we’re hearing from
outraged Marylanders who expect us to act now to keep our homes and communities safe.”
Carozza added, “If the Governor and leaders decide not to hold a Special Session this summer or
fall, then we just keep pushing for bipartisan, commonsense crime legislation that goes after
repeat violent offenders.”
