Session Week #5

Session Week #5 Legislative sessions in Annapolis begin fast and then tend to get more and more hectic as the 90 days go by and this current session is no exception. This past Friday there were one hundred sixty bills “read across the desk” in the House of Delegates. Once a bill is read it is made public, given a bill number, and assigned to a committee. Two of the one hundred and sixty bills were submitted by our Wicomico County Delegation. I am blessed to serve as the chair of our county delegation. It is composed of all five Delegate who represent portions of our county. In addition to myself, they are: Delegates Christopher Adams (District 37b), Mary Beth Carozza (District 38c), Johnny Mautz (District 37b), and Sheree Sample-Hughes (District 37a). As a delegation we are able to come together and submit bills. This session we have voted for two that will be heard in the coming weeks. First, isHB1352, which would allow the citizens of the county to vote for how their school board is selected via referendum. The second is a bill,HB1359, that would authorize a Class 9 limited distillery license to be issued in Wicomico County. There is currently some interest by investors in opening one of more distilleries in our county and if this bill is successful it would allow those investors to open distilleries in our county, which would create jobs.          (Delegate Christopher Adams joined me in welcoming WorWic students to Annapolis) The big story this week was a continuation of the “Felons voting” override. While this previously passed along party lines in the House, the Senate finally voted on the measure this week. They also voted to override the Governor’s veto so in 30 days people with felony records will be able to vote as soon as they leave incarceration- even if they are still serving parole. During the House vote I remained consistent with my vote and in support of Governor Hogan’s veto.                (Great to visit with the Physical Therapy Students from UMES) This week also featured UMES Day in Annapolis and the annual “Taste of Maryland” reception. There were far too many people from the district who visited us this week in conjunction with those two events to name, but I would like to highlight a few. It was great to see students, administration, and professors from UMES advocate and underscore the importance of their university to members of the House and Senate. It was also nice to join Salisbury Mayor Jake Day and Assistant City Administrator Julia Glanz in showing and explaining a new vision of a reinvigorated Salisbury. In addition to the Wicomico County Delegation bills cited previously, the bill I want to spotlight this week is HB1315. This bill would exempt sales tax on purchases made from nonprofits that support veteran’s groups with at least 88% of the proceeds. Coming Up This Week: Boy Scouts from around the state will meet with Governor Hogan to discuss Scouting and state government. “Chicken Day” in Annapolis is also scheduled for this week. Last year we had a Delegate who previously sponsored the failed “Chicken Tax” bill show up and discuss poultry with our farmers and elected officials. A huge part of my job is educating my colleagues about the Eastern Shore and I am thankful to those who keep an open mind and listen to our concerns as I do the same regarding issues in other parts of the state. Thanks to everyone for your support. If you have an idea, issue, or concern, please contact our office in Annapolis and let us know what you think! We value your voice. Blessed to be your Delegate, Carl Contact information: Phone: 410-841-3431 Email: carl.anderton@house.state.md.us