CUMBERLAND – March 17, 2026

Senator Mike McKay took the fight to the Senate floor this week, pushing amendments to the state budget that would roll back vehicle registration fee hikes and protect transportation dollars from being diverted away from roads and bridges.

McKay’s first amendment targeted the vehicle registration fee increases that Annapolis has piled onto Maryland drivers in recent years—costs that hit working families every time they renew their tags at the MVA.

His second amendment would establish a dedicated Roads and Bridges Account to make sure transportation revenues actually go toward fixing infrastructure, not siphoned off to cover other spending.

“Western Marylanders are feeling these costs everywhere—at the MVA, at the gas pump, in their utility bills,” said Senator McKay. “I went to Annapolis to fight for relief, not to watch the majority keep nickel-and-diming the people I represent.”

The amendments were part of a broader push by Senate Republicans to cut spending, lower costs, and hold state government accountable. Senator Paul Corderman proposed a 5% across-the-board spending reduction, while other members targeted the state’s underperforming tech tax and costly energy mandates.

The Democrat majority rejected nearly every Republican proposal.

“The majority had a choice: stand with taxpayers or stick with the status quo,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey. “They made their decision.”

McKay also joined his Republican colleagues in opposing budget language that would withhold funding from local law enforcement agencies based on their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

“Public safety funding shouldn’t come with political strings attached,” McKay said. “Our sheriffs and police departments should be supported, not punished, for keeping their communities safe.”

Maryland faces projected budget shortfalls that could balloon to $4 billion in the coming years. Senate Republicans have warned that avoiding difficult decisions now only guarantees bigger costs—and likely tax increases—down the road.

“Families across Western Maryland are tightening their budgets,” McKay added. “It’s not too much to ask Annapolis to do the same.”

Stay up to date on Senator McKay’s fight for Western Maryland—sign up for his District Newsletter at MikeMcKayMD.com/#newsletter.