Eastern Shore Delegation wants to know what issues residents want addressed during 2019 session

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Local lawmakers got together on Friday for the first Eastern Shore Delegation meeting of the 2019 legislative session. Officials say they have their work cut out for them, to make sure residents’ voices are heard.

“We need to hear directly from our constituencies from the Eastern Shore,” says Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes, who represents legislative District 37A in Dorchester and Wicomico Counties.

With some seasoned veterans, a few rookies and a bang of a gavel, the first Eastern Shore Delegation meeting began. Local lawmakers representing the Shore started Friday morning by electing members to new positions.

“We had a new chairman elected. The kind of transition of the baton with Delegate Steve Arentz taking the chairmanship,” says Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, who represents Maryland’s District 38C.

While the first meeting was more of a “welcome back” session, some officials say over the next 90 days they’ll be taking the opportunity to present the ideas they have to strengthen the area, to the delegation.

“Out of Wicomico County especially, and looking for some incentives for the airport so we can expand,” says Del. Carl Anderton, who represents District 38B.

“I think some of that graduate medical educational funding needs to come to the eastern shore,” says Sen. Addie Eckardt, who represents District 37.

Other lawmakers say they’ll be taking advantage of the meetings to address residents’ concerns and come up with solutions with officials.

“Issues ranging that will do with our commercial fishing industry, our poultry industry, our farmers, small business owners, that will all come through with my committee,” says Carozza.

Although it was only the first meeting, officials say they’ll be taking the next three months to discuss and ultimately implement rules and regulations that will help make the Eastern Shore a better place.

“I think it’s imperative for us to keep our paws on what is going on, on the Eastern Shore and how to navigate through those challenges and or opportunities,” says Sample-Hughes.

Officials add that they encourage each and every resident to come up attend these weekly meetings and be apart of the change. These meetings are open to the public to attend. They’ll be held every Friday at the Lowe House Building in room 431 starting at 9 a.m.