Week Nine: Highways and High Schools

Crossover Day and Going Strong Week nine of session was hectic, in part because it is the week before Crossover Day. By the end of Crossover Day a bill should be passed by one chamber to guarantee consideration by the other chamber. Certainly, a bill can be considered if it isn’t passed by one chamber before Crossover Day, but it is best to try to make the deadline. I wanted to take a moment to highlight the Highway User bills that we submitted. The bills are an attempt to restore funding to local counties and municipalities and improve our local roads. President Thomas Jefferson is widely attributed with the following, “the government closest to the people serves the people best”. With regards to road improvements, I want the people of Wicomico County, Salisbury, Delmar, and Fruitland, who drive the roads every day to have the funding to address areas of concern based on firsthand knowledge and experience. We’re working hard to make that happen. One of the great things about the bills are the other 39 sponsors! The legislators who have signed on to support these two bills are from both parties and every part of Maryland. Regardless of where you live in Maryland, whether you wake up in the morning to see the beautiful landscapes of Mountain Maryland, the great communities dotting the shores of the Bay in Southern Maryland, the hustle and bustle of the urban environments stretching from our nation’s capitol to Baltimore or our gorgeous Eastern Shore, this bill, if passed, will have a positive impact on your life. Not to belabor the point, but whether you take a car, bus, or bike to work, this bill, if passed, will have a positive impact on your life!

Kennard River Run As I mentioned last week, I had the honor of welcoming the participants of the Tim Kennard River Run at Salisbury University. Proceeds from this year’s event benefited our friends at Coastal Hospice, Coalition of Caring, the Salisbury Horizons Student Enrichment Program, and VSCOA PAWS. Sunday Hunting On Wednesday, we had a bill hearing for our Wicomico County Delegation legislation regarding Sunday hunting in the Environment and Transportation Committee. This bill would extend deer hunting on private property to the second Sunday during the deer firearms season. A special word of thanks to our friend Colby Ferguson, of the Maryland Farm Bureau, who testified in support of this bill.

On Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of joining local businesswoman and philanthropist, Pam Price, Superintendent of Wicomico County School, Donna Hanlin, and a couple of hundred others for the annual Foundation for Delmar Education fundraiser. The highlight of the evening was the live auction of a jersey signed by Alex “Skitter” Ellis, a Delmar graduate who now plays in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A group of folks joined together and bought the jersey for $7,200. They then donated the prize to Delmar Middle and High School! Skitter wasn’t able to attend in person but joined in the fun via Skype. We are looking forward to SU Day in Annapolis on Thursday, March 16! I encourage all Sea Gulls and friends to come down and take part in the fun. Our 2017 Scholarship Application is now available! If you live in District 38B and are interested in applying, please send an email to Carl.Anderton@house.state.md.us. Applicants must have plans to attend college in Maryland. As always, if you would like to contact us with an idea, issue, or concern, please either call: 410-841-3431 or email carl.anderton@house.state.md.us. We look forward to hearing from you!