Governor-elect Larry Hogan speaks at Maryland Farm Bureau Convention; vows to fight PMT regulations

ANNAPOLIS, MD – December 8 – Governor-elect Larry Hogan spoke at the Maryland Farm Bureau’s 99th Annual Convention at the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland, this morning, vowing that he would fight the O’Malley administration’s last-minute phosphorus management tool (PMT) regulations. A few days after the gubernatorial election, Governor O’Malley sent his proposed PMT regulations, which could potentially cost Eastern Shore farmers $22.5 million, to a state legislative committee for review and comment.

“The first fight [when I take office] will be against these politically motivated, midnight-hour phosphorus management tool regulations that the outgoing administration is trying to force upon you in these closing days …,” said Governor-elect Hogan to an audience of about 700 state farmers and members of the agriculture community. “We won’t allow them to put you out of business, destroy your way of life, or decimate your entire industry.”

“We are so pleased the Governor-elect could join us this morning,” said Chuck Fry, president of the Maryland Farm Bureau. “We are confident that we have a true advocate in Governor-elect Hogan, and that he will ensure that members of the Ag community have a real voice in his administration and are a guiding force in his decision-making.”

The Maryland Farm Bureau Convention was the first of a full day of stops on the Eastern Shore for the Governor-elect. Following the convention, he will travel to Perdue headquarters in Salisbury to meet with Jim Perdue and other senior executives. Then, he will join Comptroller Peter Franchot in Easton and Cambridge for the Comptroller’s annual “Shop Local” event.