How Md. legislators are staying busy post-session
About five weeks ago, Maryland legislators left Annapolis for the end of the 2016 legislative session. Since then, legislators like Delegate Carl Anderton Junior tell us they’ve been rather busy. His focus, the restoration of road project funding.
“They’re saying we’re out of this recession so it’s time to get back to the way life was before the recession.” Said Anderton.
As a member of the ‘Environment and Transportation Committee’, Anderton says a task force is being formed within the Maryland legislature to examine the issue. The group doesn’t have an official roster so Anderton says he’s investigating on his own.
He tells us as city and county budgets are passed throughout the state, he’ll be putting together a list of how local governments are using their highway user revenue to pay for road projects. Based on the information collected he’ll make the case for the funding in the budget.
“If we have municipalities or counties who are raising taxes or dipping into reserve funds or borrowing money to replace money that’s their inherently, well that’s a problem. That’s a big, big problem.”
As for Senator Jim Mathias, he tells us he’s been in contact with Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello, looking to form legislation that would more severely punish those convicted of running puppy mills like the alleged one found in Wicomico County.
Right now, the charges that can be filed in a case like this are misdemeanors.
“Our animals are an extension of our family and in these aggravated cases, make that a felony.” Said Mathias.
The Senator also says he is also working with several groups to gather more information on an issue he looked to attack last session through Senate Bill 648. Paying for more accurate, 3D mammograms using insurance.
“Some of the regulated insurance companies required an additional surcharge, required more of a co-pay. That’s not acceptable,” Mathias added, “if your doctor says to you because of your history and because of your genetics and the like, that they need a clearer more defined picture, I think that should all be on the same playing field.”
We also heard from District 37-A Delegate Sharee Sample-Hughes. Like Mathias, she says she is working towards coverage for 3D mammography. In addition, she says she’s also working on an income tax credit for automatic fire sprinkler systems in new homes.
Legislators will convene in Annapolis on January 11th, 2017 for session.
