Delegate Anderton Session Week #9

Session Week #9 The 9th week of the 436th Maryland General Assembly saw an unfavorable report on a bill we fought against, two committee hearings for our bills and Jeff Merritt of Operation We Care visited Annapolis. This week my committee (Environment and Transportation), voted on a number of bills includingHB1496, The Farmers’ Rights Act. Thankfully, my colleagues joined me in giving it an unfavorable report, which means that it will not proceed to the floor of the House. The bill did not have the backing of any of the local farmers I spoke to and no farmers from the Eastern Shore came to testify in support of the bill. Tuesday, our Disparity Grant bill (HB1395) was heard in the House Appropriations Committee. I want to thank Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker for a letter of support for the bill. The hearing went well and I’m optimistic that it will receive a favorable report and move to the floor of the House.        (Jeff Merritt joined me in testifying for HB1315) Friday, our bill that benefits nonprofit veteran organizations (HB1315) was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill would exempt them from charging sales tax on their merchandise as long as 88% of their proceeds go toward the cause. Jeff Merritt from Operation We Care came up to Annapolis. It was his first time ever testifying before a committee and he hit it out of the park! Thanks to Jeff for taking time out to advocate for the bill, we really appreciate it. I also want to thank Steve Mizell, who inspired the bill, as well as both Warrior Canine Connection and the Veterans Caucus, who both wrote letters of support. This coming week, we have two Wicomico County Delegation bills being heard. The first is HB1612, which would help the Ward Museum expand and will be heard by the House Appropriations Committee tomorrow. Currently, when the Ward Museum receives one of its many school tours, they find themselves challenged for educational space. This expansion would help them better serve the community, especially our young ones. ​Tuesday, the bill that would allow a referendum on how the Wicomico County Board of Education is chosen (HB1352) will be heard in the House Ways and Means Committee. If the bill is successful, voters would choose from three options in a referendum: Keep the selection as it is- with the Governor appointing members Change to a hybrid with five members chosen by the voters and two appointed locally Switch to a fully elected school board with every member being chosen by the voters Saturday, March 19th, I will be in the Fruitland Easter Parade and I hope to see you there! 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. Thank you for your support. I appreciate that you have taken the time to read our newsletter. 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