SALISBURY – A review of this year’s Maryland General Assembly session highlighted this week’s county council meeting.
On Tuesday, members of the Eastern Shore Delegation joined the Wicomico County Council for a recap of the 2022 General Assembly session.
“This was a remarkable year coming off of the pandemic with an infusion of federal funds,” said Sen. Addie Eckardt (R-37). “We had a budget surplus of $7 billion … That in and of itself was pretty remarkable.”
Eckardt said session achievements included the passage of retiree tax relief legislation and sales tax exemptions on diabetic and medical device products. Among Wicomico County’s initiatives, the senator noted bills pertaining to the orphans’ court salary and a limited alcohol license for dinner theaters and banquets passed in the legislature.
The governor’s $61 billion fiscal year 2023 budget also included $1 million in funding for the Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, while the capital budget featured $250,000 for the Salisbury Zoo and around $200,000 for the Christian Shelter.
“When we’re able to bring that money back to the community, it helps them at a lever we will never even realize,” added Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-37A).
Del. Carl Anderton (R-38B) said a significant shore priority was the return of highway user revenues. Through the passage of a legislative bill, Wicomico will see an increase in the share of transportation funding.
“As you know highway user revenues were dramatically cut 10 years ago, and we have been working to bring these funds back …,” he said. “It’s a dramatic increase for the county, and this bill doesn’t have a sunset.”
In addition to the budget surplus and debates of redistricting, Del. Chris Adams (R-37B) said other issues taking center stage in this year’s session include the passage of a climate change bill, which will accelerate the state’s greenhouse gas emissions goal, as well as paid family leave legislation, which will be funded by a new payroll tax.
“Paid medical and family leave is a real issue for many people …,” added Del. Johnny Mautz (R-37B). “It’s not a lighthearted issue, it’s not a political issue … I think it’s more about the approach to how we address that issue.”
Mautz added that the coming year’s budget had increased significantly.
“You need to look at our spending,” he said. “The budget increased greatly this year, and it increased because of federal money … Looking forward to next year, it’s something we need to be mindful of.”
While noting that productiveness of the 2022 session, officials said not much was done to address issues linked to police reform and education. Councilman Joe Holloway added that the council had expressed interest in bills relating to board of education transparency, tenant evictions and greywater.
“Are there any comments on why they didn’t get anywhere?” he said.
The delegation noted that challenges involving implementation and language had some part in some of those bills not passing. Sample-Hughes added that legislation pertaining to those issues were not delegation bills.
“We had a hard time getting bills through this year,” Eckardt said. “It’s one of the most unusual years I’ve seen … Some of the bills that were important to the counties, that were passed the first week in the senate, never saw the light of day.”
Overall, the delegation reported having a successful 2022 session.
“It was a good session locally,” Anderton said. “All the local priorities were met.”
Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38), Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C) and Del Charles Otto (R-38A) were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
