If you live in South Baltimore the first thing you do when you meet someone from Canton is roll your eyes and ask: "why do you live so far away?". I live in Otterbein, and I know I do this regularly. I'm sure the reaction is the same for Cantonites, but they live on the other side of the world (harbor), so what do I care?

Here's the problem: All those folks in Canton with their big wide open spaces took all the big box stores and chains. Like it or not, my family shops at Target, BJs and Michaels; our Pediatrician is in the CareFirst building, and dare I mention Towson Hot Bagel. Canton is so selfish. It might as well be North of The Wall...Winter is coming guys, and I can't afford to go South through the tunnel.

Canton Crossing is a terrific development which has changed the dynamic for Baltimore City living. Canton is so close! I did the calculation; it is less than 3 miles away as the crow flies. Yeah there's an app for that. Via the I-95 Fort MeHenry Tunnel, a short 7 miles and 10 minutes. At $8 per round trip, the cost was prohibitive. It's $6 now; better, but not great. It increases my Target bill by 6%, my co-pay by 20%, and my THB everything twist with bacon, egg and cheese toasted by 100%. I can either leave the city or drive through it. You want me to drive through? 25 minutes in traffic. Newsflash, there's always traffic. I regularly leave to pick up items that are otherwise minutes away through the tunnel. Here's the breakdown:

1.            Target:             7 miles vs 7 miles / 20 minutes vs 10 minutes

2.            Mission BBQ: 13 miles vs 7 miles / 20 minutes vs 10 minutes

3.            THB:               16 miles vs 7 miles / 25 minutes vs 10 minutes

4.            Michaels:        20 miles vs 7 miles / 30 minutes vs 10 minutes

I'm calling for residents of Baltimore City to be given access to the E-ZPassMD Baltimore Region Discount Plan, regardless of number of trips, reducing the round trip toll from $6 to $2.40. This will increase the number of residents staying in Baltimore to shop. It would give South Baltimore affordable access to Canton Crossing and Canton affordable access to South Baltimore's small businesses. It will save residents gas and money. It will save gas and city businesses. 

Baltimore City businesses need our business. Businesses in Anne Arundel and Baltimore County pay <50% in property taxes. We can help! 

There are many examples; the precedent has been set. Residents of Staten Island and Rockaway are given a 66% discount on their tunnels and bridges.