states find ways of raising taxes without saying so

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HIDDEN_TAXES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-06-29-11-29-49

If Pennsylvania's Republican governor gets his way, the state will pay for $1.8 billion in transportation improvements largely by raising a wholesale tax on gasoline. Yet, his spokesman insists, "it's not a tax increase."

In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republicans who share control of the Senate boast that they have balanced the budget without raising taxes, even though a critical part of the balancing act involved extending an income tax on high earners that both sides had campaigned against in 2010.

As state government leaders struggle to reconcile public demand for services with still sluggish post-recession tax collections, they have turned to tax increases - but will call them anything but. Governors and lawmakers in several states have labeled their ideas extensions, surcharges or fees and used verbal gymnastics to explain why they aren't tax increases.

"Anything to avoid using the `T' word is explored. They're `revenue enhancements' or `lifting of caps' or `impact fees,'" said Matthew Brouillette, president of the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation, a conservative think tank.

[LiberalEsto]

1. Maryland's gas tax goes up by 3.5 cents on Monday

I know they say they need it for transportation, but with the price of gas so high, it's an additional burden for most working people.

[ChazII]

2. Yes, it is the taxes on gasoline

that make it difficult. or as you more accurately stated, 'an additional burden for most working people.'