POLL: Baltimore City and County residents say taxes and fees are top issue

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A new UMBC poll reports that Baltimore City and County residents say the amount of local taxes and fees they pay is a key issue for them.

The poll states that in Baltimore City, it’s 71% important, and in Baltimore County, it’s 69% important.

In this year’s budget, Governor Wes Moore vowed no new taxes or fees, which stayed true throughout this legislative session.

Some critics attribute that decision to it being an election year, but the tax and fee increases of 2025 were never taken away, and some are now just starting to kick in.

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In 2025, the General Assembly and Governor Moore passed and signed $1.6 billion dollars in new taxes and fee increases, some including:

• Vehicle excise tax in Maryland increased from 6% to 6.5%
• Certificate of Title fee doubling from $100 to $200
• Cost for vehicle emissions inspections fee has increased from $14 to $30
• $5 dollar tire fee on each new tire purchased
• Cost of registering a vehicle has also gone up, with passenger cars weighing up to 3,500 pounds, the registration will cost $120.50 for one year, just over $240 for two years
• 3.5% tax for rental vehicles
• Sales tax on cannabis products will increase from 9% to 12%
• Taxes on sports betting are increasing from 15% to 20%
• 6% tax on many vending machine purchases
• 3% tech tax

“Over the years, I believe the taxes have increased,” said Baltimore City resident Jermaine Dory. “It’s making it harder on the taxpayer, especially if they’re making minimum wage. It’s taxing on the families.”

Local economists tell FOX45 that, because of the combined elevated fuel and grocery costs, households are even more upset at being squeezed financially from all sides.

Many residents say that they have seen a noticeable difference in the increased taxes and fees.

“I’ve only been able to pay for a year for my vehicle registration just because it’s that expensive,” said Baltimore City resident Tori Erickson. “Vehicle registration, I think it’s doubled. It was like $75 for two years, and now it’s like it was $145 for one year, which is crazy.”

“Like with cannabis, marijuana, I indulge in that, and I experience the taxes when they tax it,” Dory said. “Because when you get the discounts, you can’t apply the tax to the discount, so it seems higher after the checkouts.”

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One resident says she paid hundreds of dollars just recently at the MVA, “$700 for the registration, for your tags, everything,” Tynasia Crawley said. “With today’s prices, I was expecting it to be around that much.”

Many now have the same message for officials as they continue to pay for more in Maryland.

“Just think about the taxpayer,” Dory said. “And think about tomorrow, the future, because you want future kids not to have to pay so much taxes and have them taxed on them when they want to indulge in their future goals.”

Political experts tell FOX45 they are worried about the structural soundness of this year’s budget and what it could mean for next year, as budget analysts say they are projecting deficits in years to come.