Tolls are going to take a toll

Whoa... how the heck is this going on?

So I'm glad Patuxent brought us this article about proposed toll increases being brought by the Maryland Transportation Authority.  But I gotta say, this article is a bit of a head-scratcher.

First off, why is this toll increase being proposed now?  Why not during the legislative session?  Isn't toll revenue considered as a source of the state budget?  I guess I should know the answer to this question, but I don't.

While we're at it, shouldn't the General Assembly be proposing increases in tolls, not the Maryland Transportation Authority?  That's a rhetorical question.  I'm sure the MTA has the authority to raise the tolls.  I guess the better question is: should they?

Not commenting on the validity of the proposed increases at this point-- to be honest, haven't considered them fully yet.  But I do have to give an official shrug of the shoulders at the process involved in considering and implementing these increases.  Seems to me this is a major source of state revenue and that the process should be more transparent and open.