A gas tax increase is uncalled for and will create an unnecessary burden on Maryland citizens who are already overtaxed as it is. The proposed 15-cent a gallon tax hike will spell disaster for those who depend on their cars to get around.

Here are three things the state could do instead to balance its budgets:

First, close the day labor centers that help illegal immigrants find work and that serve of no good purpose for the state.

Second, stop giving in-state tuition rates to these same Illegal Immigrants; that's nothing but a waste of good money thrown after bad.

Finally, under no circumstances should the gasoline tax be increased by as much as 1 cent. Enough is enough in this tax-and-spend state.

Al Eisner, Silver Spring