April 6, 2024
Ready Report: Session End is Near, Budget, Taxes & More…
The final full week of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session has concluded. This will be a brief update on what happened in Annapolis this week. Monday is Sine Die, which is the last day of Session. We will be back and forth from the Senate floor and Committee until the clock strikes midnight. After midnight, no more bills can be passed.
Following Sine Die, I will be sending a full 2024 Session recap, which will include information about legislation that was good, bad, and ugly. Stay tuned for that later next week.
Weekly Video Update
Click the image below to watch this week’s video update from Annapolis. I discuss the final budget which is passing, spending over $1 Billion less than last year with no major, broad based tax increases – which is good news. But – in the “BRFA” bill which passes at the same time as the budget there is a doubling of the car registration tax. That money goes toward the transportation trust fund and towards funding the Shock Trauma system. Unfortunately, it continues the practice of laying most of the cost of the transportation system, including expensive, subsidized mass transit, at the feet of drivers. More in the video…
Industrial Sludge Legislation Passes
I have written to you before about a bill that I sponsored to address Maryland becoming a dumping ground for unregulated industrial sludge, which is spread on farm fields without clear knowledge of what’s in it or how much is being applied. SB 1074, which creates a new permit program for the hauling, storage, and proper application of “dissolved air flotation” (DAF) material.
Carroll County residents – including a number of farmers – brought this issue to my attention and helped me understand that, due to the horrific odor and health concerns, we are on the front lines of this issue. You can read more about this bipartisan legislation, which has the support of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, by clicking here.
This bill finally passed through the General Assembly on Friday, and now will head to the Governor’s desk.
Open House for MD 97 – April 17
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is planning potential improvements along MD 97 (Littlestown Pike) between MD 140 and MD 496 (Bachmans Valley Road). There will be an open house on Wednesday, April 17th, from 5 – 7 pm, in the Winters Mill High School cafeteria. Citizens are encouraged to attend to view preliminary concepts for the MD 97 corridor and participate in a new survey that will also be posted online the day of the public open house. There will also be an opportunity to give feedback and receive answers to questions from study team members. You can view the Project Portal by clicking here.
Senatorial Scholarships Available
If you are or know a high school senior or college student, please consider applying for a Senatorial Scholarship. For more information or to request an application, email Emily Van Horn at [email protected] and include your full address. Scholarships will be accepted up to April 15, 2024.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime. My office can be reached by emailing [email protected], and my staff and I will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. Have a great rest of the week!
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