June 23, 2024
Ready Report: Electrical Transmission Line, Mt. Airy Visit & More…
I hope you have had a good week. I want to thank everyone who came out and supported my annual Business Breakfast Fundraiser in Hampstead on Wednesday. We had a great crowd and conversation about the outcome of the 2024 Session and the 2024 Elections. Below I have updates on upcoming meetings and events as well as an interview I did on Fox 45 about Maryland’s fiscal outlook.
New Electrical Transmission Line in Northern Carroll County – Informational Meeting July 11th:
The Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), an independent organization that is authorized by the Federal Government – (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) – to plan regional electric transmission grids, has announced the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, which plans to build a 70-mile transmission route which would run through northern Baltimore County, Northern Carroll County and over into Frederick County.
This electric transmission line will not be the large, wide power lines you often see going up the sides of mountains or off of I-95 – the technology has changed signifcantly to be thinner, more blended in color and not need as many poles – but it will still be something that has some level of disruption.
Make no mistake – This is happening because the Maryland General Assembly over a number of years has passed policies that make energy and electric generation inside the state much more difficult, from closing power plants over coal to limiting natural gas. Maryland citizens have also been saddled with irresponsible energy goals. Our state does not have the energy generation here in the state needed to meet our demands – much less future electrification requirements. now must meet energy needs that are dramatically increasing each year. That’s why there have to be more electric lines run from out of state.
There is an upcoming Carroll County informational meeting in Westminster for all who are interested:
July 11, 2024 –Westminster Senior & Community Center
125 Stoner Avenue Westminster, Maryland 21157
Session 1: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Session 2: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
In the Community – Mount Airy Visit
On Tuesday I met with Mayor Hushour and members of town council in Mount Airy along with Delegate Eric Bouchat. We visited and discussed some of the projects the town is working on and how we can help at the state level including Rails to Trails, need for new police station and the Flat Iron building in Downtown Mount Airy. We also saw the incredible wood sculptures on the west side of the Rails to Trails path – amazing! It’s an honor to represent Mt. Airy and our entire District 5 team looks forward to continuing working together.
Ready in the Media: Fox 45 Interview on Maryland Fiscal Outlook:
From the story – “The state is heading toward a financial cliff, and according to a new report, education spending is a main driver. ‘It’s a self-created hole,’ Ready told Project Baltimore. “I’m disappointed but not surprised that we were downgraded to negative.” Years ago, (Ready) tried to warn lawmakers in Annapolis that education spending was sending Maryland towards a financial cliff….My message is…you actually don’t have to raise taxes to fix this issue. You don’t have to raise taxes, and you also don’t need draconian massive cuts. You just need to slow down the rate of growth, and we can address a lot of our outstanding budget issues, (said Ready).” Click here to watch the entire clip.
Applications Sought for the Carroll County Agriculture Land Preservation Program
The Carroll County Agricultural Land Preservation Program is beginning a new application cycle and will be accepting applications from July 1st through August 30, 2024. The County has budgeted $1 million for fiscal year 2025, according to Program Manager J.P. Smith, Jr.
Owners of at least 30 acres of farm or forestland with development potential may apply. Farms with more than 60 acres will be ranked higher in a ranking process that includes soil quality and other important factors.
The Carroll County Agriculture Land Preservation Program is one of four programs that the Office manages. If property owners are interested in being paid to preserve their farm, please reach out to the Office to discuss program options. Each property that completes the preservation process is restricted to agricultural use in perpetuity by a Deed of Conservation Easement recorded in the Carroll County Land Records. These programs help preserve valuable agricultural lands that are the foundation of our agricultural industry while compensating landowners for the potential development value of the property.
Carroll County’s farmland preservation program ranks in the top five most successful programs in the United States and is the number one program in the State of Maryland. The County has a long-standing goal of preserving 100,000 acres and nearly 80,000 acres have been preserved since farmland protection efforts began in 1980.
Interested landowners can contact staff at 410-386-2214 to discuss program options and arrange to get an application by mail or they can obtain an application by clicking here.
Support Local Volunteer Fire Department Carnivals
Over the summer, several local volunteer fire departments host excellent carnivals throughout Carroll County. This is a great opportunity to show support for the men and women who will run into a burning building to save people they do not even know. Below are a list of all the summer carnivals coming to Carroll County:
6/24 – 6/29 Reese Fire Company
6/26 – 6/29 Harney Fire Company
7/01 – 7/06 Manchester Fire Company
7/08 – 7/13 Winfield Community Fire Company
7/29 – 8/03 Mount Airy Fire Company
8/05 – 8/10 Hampstead Fire Company
Have a great week ahead!
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