Delegate Carl Anderton Jr. Session Week #7

Session Week #7 Week #7 of the 436th Maryland Legislative Session began with “Alcohol Day” on the House side. Alcohol day is the day when a wide majority of bills pertaining to alcohol are heard in the House Economic Matters Committee. We presented a billto allow a limited distillery license in our county. Tuesday we met with people who work in our poultry community in preparation for the “Poultry Litter Management Act”, which was heard on Wednesday. Thursday, was SU Day in Annapolis and it was great to see so many familiar faces. Friday was Tourism Day in Annapolis. Monday, HB1359 was heard in the Economic Matters Committee. The bill is a Wicomico County Delegation bill to allow distilleries to operate in our county. All five members of our County Delegation unanimously support the bill.  Currently, there are at least two different investors looking to open distilleries in Wicomico. This bill would allow them to open new businesses and create jobs.  We’re cautiously optimistic that the bill will go forward.    (Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Joe Bartenfelder is joined by former State Senator Rich Colburn and the Department's Director of Government Relations Matt Teffeau in testifying against the Poultry Litter Management Act. Chris Perdue, seated in the front row, was there to oppose the bill as well.) The big story of the week was the Poultry Litter Management Act (HB599). Wednesday, it was heard in my committee (Environment and Transportation). There are several things we did to combat this bill- even before it was drafted: We started early- we anticipated a bill like this would be submitted and started working with stakeholders this past summer. Met with local farmers. During testimony it was revealed that the bill sponsor didn’t meet with any poultry farmers before, during or after crafting this bill. The first thing I did was talk to farmers. They are ultimately who this bill would affect, so I thought it was important to talk to them first. Met with Delegate Lam and Senator Madaleno, who were the sponsors of the House and Senate versions of the bill, in an attempt to explain the flaws of this bill. Met with environmentalists to explain the importance of allowing the data of the Phosphorous Management Act to be gathered before acting prematurely by submitting a bill without that value information. Introduced poultry farmers to both bill sponsors so they could get a clear view of how this bill would impact those it purports to protect. Met with Jim Perdue and Allen-Harim CEO Steve Evans in separate meetings to get insight from their perspective. Attended both of the Poultry Litter Management Act press conferences in Annapolis. This allowed our side to discuss the opposition of the bill with the media who had gathered for the proponents of the bill. I want to thank Jim Perdue and Allen-Hiram CEO Steve Evans for giving of their time and sitting down with me on separate occasions to discuss both this bill as well as the issues facing the poultry community. In addition, I am appreciative of the whole farming community for their support on the issue. We had a great hearing that showed the major weaknesses in the bill and I am hopeful that the bill will receive an unfavorable report from the committee. (To view the testimony, click here.) (Local Poultry Farmer Charles Wright IV testifying against the Poultry Litter Management Act.) After a very hectic Wednesday, it was nice to celebrate Salisbury University Day in Annapolis. Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach is a passionate President and advocate for Salisbury University and I’m proud to be able to partner with her to stress the importance of SU to our community and the state. Friday, we celebrated Tourism Day in Annapolis. The Maryland Tourism Coalition sums up the industry best with the following from their website: “According to Tourism Economics, tourism is the 10th largest private sector employer in the State, directly employing more than 140,288 Marylanders in 2014. In 2014 tourism generated over 2.2 billion in state and local taxes. Without taxes generated by visitor spending, Maryland households would have to pay $1,010 more a year in taxes. Overall travel expenditures in MD are $16.4 billion annually.” We’re blessed to be a great state that attracts so many visitors. Within a the space of a day we’re able to visit a mountain, the place where George Washington resigned his commission as General, and the beach. This week I would like to highlight my Disparity Grant bill (HB1395). The disparity grant is funding that gives a boost to counties who are economically disadvantaged. The formula was changed under the last administration and it hurt several counties, including Wicomico. My bill would revisit the way we calculate the formula and seeks to restore funding to Wicomico. The bill is bi-partisan and co-sponsored by Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, who represents a portion of Salisbury and northwest Wicomico County. It will be heard on March 8th in the Appropriations Committee. I appreciate that you have taken the time to read our newsletter. Keeping in constant communication with a perpetually open door is our way of #makingithappen. By working together we get things done both in Wicomico County and Annapolis. We will continue to advocate for the Eastern Shore, poultry farmers, and our Shore way of life. Please contact our office with any ideas, issues, or concerns that you have. We’re here to work for you. Blessed to be your voice in Annapolis, Carl Contact information: Phone: 410-841-3431 Email: carl.anderton@house.state.md.us