Delegate Carl Anderton Session Week #11

Session Week #11 Happy Easter everyone! In this edition of “Making It Happen” we recap the 11th week of the 436th Maryland General Assembly and look forward to the upcoming week. Legislative session ends on April 11th, which is called “Sine Die”. We’ll be working right up until midnight of Sine Die. When session ends we will re-open our Salisbury office. Look for the announcement in future newsletters. Right now members of both the House of Delegates and the Senate are working hard on the budget, which is bill SB190. Both the Senate and the House have passed differing versions of the budget, so the budget has been assigned to the “conference committee”. That committee consists of six members, three from each chamber. The Speaker of the House selects three Delegates and the President of the Senate chooses three Senators. They come together, negotiate, and create a report with budget recommendations that are then voted on by the General Assembly. We’re cautiously optimistic that we’ll be able to pass a budget that will be fiscally sound. The "Wicomico County Board of Education referendum bill" (HB1352) has crossed over to the Senate and will be heard in their Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee this coming Wednesday. As a reminder, the bill would allow the voters to participate in a referendum to choose how the school board is selected. The three choices would be: Keep the selection as it is- with Governor Appointments. Change to a hybrid with five members chosen at the ballot box and two appointed locally. Switch to a fully elected school board with every member being chosen by the voters. We passed the bill out of the House by a vote of134-1! The Senate version of the bill (SB145) previously passed their chamber 47-0 and was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee this past Thursday. The Board of Public Works approved of theProgram Open Space funding to construct improvements to Schumaker Park. The parking lot is in need of attention and will be resurfaced, along with curbing and sidewalk repairs. The total cost of the project is $80,000 with the requirement that the County would have to pay a 10% match. The park is home to one of the most frequently used picnic pavilions in Wicomico County. In addition, it offers a walking trail, playground, freshwater pond, and a disc golf course. It is a great place to gather with friends and family and I am hopeful that we’ll be able to secure the funding and address the needs of the park.    Friday was Maryland Day! This year marks the482nd year since two sailing ships the “Ark and the Dove” landed on Maryland soil. In addition to the Wicomico County school board bill hearing, this coming week we will continue to work with members of the General Assembly on the budget. Since last April we have worked hard to have local projects included and we’ll continue the push to make sure they remain funded. Keeping in constant communication with a perpetually open door is our way of#makingithappen. We will continue to advocate for the Eastern Shore, poultry farmers, and our Shore way of life. I appreciate that you have taken the time to read our newsletter and thank you for your support. 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