Md. Dept. Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley at BWI Business Partnership

LINTHICUM – The state’s largest department has spent more than $100 million in snow removal, faces a $136 million (or 21%) decline in the vehicle titling tax, and expects it will be 2011 before a new fiscal authorization comes through that would allow for long-term planning.  In some cases, said Dept. of Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley, the state has been successful in looking ahead and meeting needs.  A deal with BMW will bring to the Port of Baltimore 50,000 cars next year, and a new berth there is under construction that will accommodate bigger cargo ships that are expected to become popular because of the widening of the Panama Canal.  A new Chesapeake Bay Bridge crossing is not under consideration in any scenario.

The Secretary also pointed to the state’s adjustment to cash shortfalls, such as a $2.5 billion cut in capital programs and its efforts in the land grab for federal funds.  The feds have sent our way $638 million in last year’s jobs bill, $90 million for upgrading BWI’s MARC station, and $60 million to improve a 100 year-old rail tunnel in Baltimore.  No comment yet from other countries holding U.S. Treasuries.