Maryland Public Affairs Group
Open to all members with an interest in Maryland public policy, the MD PAG monitors and analyzes Maryland issues and advocates for solutions that will enhance the business climate and quality of life. Meets monthly.
2007 Maryland Legislative Agenda
2007 Maryland Legislative Report
The Maryland General Assembly completed its 90-day session on April 9 at midnight– deferring many contentious issues until next year, most significantly the state’s General Fund structural deficit, estimated at $1.5 billion in FY09. Legislation to address broader health care and transportation issues were also delayed, likely to be taken up in the context of comprehensive fiscal issues.
Major legislative initiatives passed this year included a bill to mandate California automobile emission standards in Maryland, a ban on indoor smoking and for the state to require contractors to pay workers a “living wage,” generally twice the minimum wage.
The following is a recap of board of Trade legislative issues:
Transportation Revenues – The Board of Trade led efforts to address Maryland’s transportation funding problems, working with the O’Malley Administration, legislature and leading Maryland business organizations. The issue gained momentum; legislative leadership in the House and Senate introduced several transportation revenue bills; Governor O’Malley acknowledged a need for more transportation funding in his State of the State address. However, action is not expected until the major fiscal issues are taken up in the next session.
The Board of Trade supported several revenue bills – including the gas, sales and vehicle excises taxes - for Maryland to have funds available for a match to the Davis bill pending in the House of Representatives, as well as advance major projects. MDOT estimates a need of $400-600 million a year.
ICC - Governor O’Malley continued to advance the InterCounty Connector, despite a lobbying effort by environmental groups and their allies in the legislature. The Board of Public Works approved the first ICC contract – a $478 design-build contract to construct the first 7 miles of the 18.8-mile highway.
Health Care – The Board of Trade supported several issues previously identified by its Health Care Policy Task Force as important to the business community, including adequate funding of Medicaid and promotion of wellness programs. The Senate did not act on an ambitious House plan due to fiscal concerns. The Board of Trade supported a successful bill that will provide incentives for small businesses to establish wellness programs to help lower health care costs by reducing utilization.
Education – Governor O’Malley’s plan to hold tuition rates flat for a year was adopted. The Board of Trade promotes efforts to ensure affordable higher education, however, the University of Maryland’s flagship initiative – to ensure it has the resources to compete with its peer institutions nationally - remains under-funded.
The Thornton Plan to support K-12 education, supported by the Board of Trade, was funded, however a component to address higher costs in jurisdictions (including Montgomery and Prince George’s) was not. The Board of Trade supported the Governor’s legislation mandating the so-called Geographic Cost of Education Index. Unfortunately, this bill failed.
Fiscal issues – The Board of Trade supported legislation legalizing slot machines at Maryland race tracks, to provide revenues for education and help address the State’s structural budget deficit. This legislation did not pass. The Senate is expected to push to include slot machines as part of the comprehensive solution to the deficit, which will likely be taken up next session. Governor O’Malley urged the legislature to defer action on revenue bills until he completes a comprehensive review of state government spending and efficiencies.
Growth - The Board of Trade raised concerns about “Green Fund” legislation which would fund Chesapeake Bay clean up programs, and this legislation did not pass. While we support efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, this legislation would have established steep fees on developers creating impervious surfaces (roads, parking lots, etc) and could have had unintended consequences to the state’s Smart Growth program. The Board of Trade successfully defeated a proposal which would have weakened a State Highway program providing pedestrian and roadway enhancement improvements in revitalization areas.
Workforce housing - The Board of Trade supported legislation enabling localities and municipalities to establish workforce housing programs.
Research and technology – The Board of Trade testified in support of Governor O’Malley’s successful life sciences legislative initiative – creating a Life Sciences Advisory Board. This Advisory Board will coordinate Maryland’s biotechnology assets, to continue to grow the industry. The Board of Trade helped defeat a bill that would undermine biotech investment through imposing price controls on prescription drugs. The Board of Trade also helped defeat a bill that would have engaged Maryland in regulating broadband internet in the state.
