Metro’s financial problems continue, and the possibility of a new tax to provide revenue could be gaining ground. According to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, Marylanders narrowly support a regionwide sales tax.
To keep Metro financially solvent in the next few years, finding a dedicated funding source is a priority for leaders in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The funding would cover maintenance needs, rising costs, safety improvements, and lost revenue from decreasing ridership.
There has been disagreement about how to go about this, however, and what the revenue source should be. Options discussed include an increase in subsidies paid by jurisdictions to the agency, implementation of special property tax districts near Metro stations, increasing fares, and reducing the frequency of service. Though lukewarm, the regional sales tax was the most popular option among those who live in Washington’s Maryland suburbs. Across the state, the views are more varied.
An independent panel will be studying this issue, with plans to issue a report by this fall, as Virginia and Maryland Legislatures go into session.
