CAMBRIDGE, Md. - The next time you take your car in for repair, you could be paying more than ever. Maryland lawmakers are debating a bill to add a tax onto auto repairs and services. As you can imagine talk of more fee increases has many drivers revved up. Between repairs and high gas prices, vehicle expenses keep going up.
J.T. North has been a mechanic in Cambridge for over 40 years. He fears this proposed tax on repairs in Maryland will send drivers to Delaware, where it's tax free.
"We're constantly competing with Delaware," said North. "I had a gentlemen in this morning who need tires, when I gave him the price for it and everything he said he will go to Seaford where I don't have to pay the 6%."
If a tax is put on auto repairs and services in Maryland, some people say they are going to have to learn how to keep up maintenance on their own cars.
"I'll fix it myself, which is all you can do," said Samuel Murphy of Cambridge. "If you can't fix it your going to have to walk cause you can't afford it".
Maryland lawmakers are looking everywhere for ways to balance the state budget. Supporters of this bill say it would help generate more money for the state.
Motorists like Brad Cornish of Cambridge say they will have to search for cheaper ways to get their cars fixed.
"There not going to take in right away to get stuff changed," said Cornish. "They are going to think about it and try and find a back-yard mechanic to save some money".
Many drivers and auto mechanics in Maryland are opposed to this bill. AAA Mid-Atlantic has said they are against it as well.
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