In advance of Friday’s hearing in the Maryland House Environment & Transportation Committee on a proposed statewide delivery tax (HB 1215), Chamber of Progress is releasing new polling showing strong public opposition to the measure.  

The survey – interviewing 769 Maryland voters over February 23-24, by Public Policy Polling – found that two-thirds of Maryland voters (62%) oppose the proposed 50 cent fee on grocery, e-commerce, and takeout delivery orders, and on each rideshare ride. The survey finds that 49 percent of Maryland voters say they would be less likely to vote for lawmakers who support the delivery fee.

See the polling on Maryland’s proposed delivery tax.

“This is a regressive tax that places the biggest burden on working families. It’s no wonder Maryland families aren’t buying it,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich. “At a time when voters already feel the pain of rising prices, no one wants to see an additional tax piled on top of their grocery bill or takeout order.”

Like sales taxes, delivery taxes are regressive, putting the greatest strain on low-income families already struggling to afford the basic necessities. Maryland’s proposed tax would also have an outsized impact on residents who rely on grocery delivery, including elderly residents, disabled communities, and the 1 in 4 Baltimore residents who live in a food desert. For more on the harmful impacts of Maryland’s proposed delivery tax, visit NoDoorstepTax.com/MD.

A 2023 analysis by Chamber of Progress Senior Economist Kaitlyn Harger found that delivery taxes also add more cars and emissions on roadways, limit access for those facing mobility challenges, and hurt small business growth. 

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.