Maryland legislative session outlook

With Maryland’s legislative session set to begin Wednesday, 47 ABC caught up with some of the Eastern Shore’s Delegation in Annapolis to see what they’ll be looking to accomplish over the next 90 days.

On the Republican side both Sen. Addie Eckardt (R) and Del. Carl Anderton (R) are eager to push through Gov. Larry Hogan’s plan for more than $480 million in tax relief measures.

Eckardt saying that’s what they focused on during the interim.

“We’ve all been all about give the money back to the folks with tax relief instead of increasing more and expanding taxation lets give it back to the people and get the business sector engaged,” Eckardt said.

The proposed tax relief plan calls for a tax break for new manufacturers who bring jobs to the state, retirees, small businesses and struggling working families.

Meanwhile Democrats say their focus will be reversing Gov. Hogan’s vetoes of six bills last spring.

One of the bills, would allow ex-convicts to vote immediately after they’re released from prison.

“It’s just a right, it’s a right of passage and so for me that’s a personal thing and I know that lines up with the Democratic views and by all means I know that’s one of the things they’re certainly taking on,” said Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes (D).

One topic that seems to already be sparking debate, fire sprinklers.

Currently it’s the state’s responsibility to make sure fire sprinklers are built in homes.

But Delegate Chris Adams introduced legislation which hopes to leave this up to the individual counties.

“I want to make sure that law stays where it is,” Sample-Hughes said.

“We elect the county council and county executive and a mayor and city council to do whats best for us and it should stay right there,” Anderton said.

The Eastern Shore Delegation is scheduled to have their first meeting together Friday at 9 a.m.