New poll ranks Maryland economy second worst as residents launch affordability push

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Marylanders frustrated by rising costs and a growing list of taxes and fees are organizing around a new effort they say is aimed at making the state more affordable, as a new poll ranks Maryland’s economy near the bottom nationally.

A new CNBC poll ranks Maryland’s economy as the second worst in the country. The report comes as residents cite a “litany of new taxes and fees over the past three years,” including title fees, registration fees, vendor taxes and rental car fees, and say the added costs are pushing people to leave the state.

“I’m just at my wits end, its like, when do we get a break,” one resident said.

Gov. Wes Moore said, “We were going to be sure we bring costs down for Marylanders.”

Randy Altschula, an entrepreneur and founder of the newly formed Maryland Affordability Project, said the state’s cost of living compared with neighboring states is driving people away.

“We’re two and a half times more expensive than Delware. We’re three times more expensive than Pennsylvania and we’re four times more expensive than Virginia,” Altschula said.

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He said Maryland should be doing far better economically. “We should be one of the most prosperous states in the country not the second worst,” Altschula said.

Altschula said he plans to crisscross the state to educate residents about policies he believes are affecting their bottom lines, including rising energy bills and housing costs. Maryland is ranked fourth in the country for residents moving to other states, according to the report.

“So many Marylanders are moving out and that leaves the rest of us carrying the heavy burden of these state governor expenditures. Meanwhile few of us have jobs,” another resident said.

Altschula pointed to population losses as a warning sign. “That really speaks volume. We lost 20-thousand people last year,” he said.

Altschula said he plans to take proposed solutions to Annapolis and urged quick action. “If we can insure some sensible solutions and know this is important to voters then they’ll act on it,” he said.

The Maryland Affordability Project said it will examine solutions related to state taxes and fees, as well as rising energy bills and housing costs.