Friends,
That's a wrap! The Maryland General Assembly adjourned with a scurry of activity on Monday, April 10th at midnight. Overall, this has been the most productive session yet in the last decade for Carroll County and for Maryland as a whole. Once again, it is my honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Carroll County, but admittedly, I am anxious to return home to Carroll County after a jam packed 90 days.
We passed a fiscally responsible state budget ahead of schedule that included NO NEW TAXES and with tax relief on the first $15,000 of retirement income for first responders and other emergency response personnel who are at least 55 years old. I share Governor Hogan's goal of eliminating taxes on all retirement income.
We were very successful working with Governor Hogan to pass his top legislative priorities to create thousands of new jobs, restore integrity to state government, and move forward with dozens of critical transportation projects across the state. As Chair of the Carroll County Delegation, I am pleased to report that our team was able to secure additional funding for Carroll County Public Schools, Carroll Community College and funding for a number of important projects.
Additional $4.72 Million for Carroll County Public Schools
Thanks to Governor Hogan and bipartisan support,
Carroll County Public Schools will receive an additional $1.6M in supplemental grant monies this year and HB684, sponsored by me and co-sponsored by members of our Delegation, will continue to offset the impact of declining student enrollment over the next 2 years for Carroll County and 10 other jurisdictions. This important piece of legislation will give CCPS additional revenue and predictability until a new comprehensive funding formula is put in place in FY2021. Also required by HB684 are "accountability measures" for Baltimore City Schools including an audit of the school system's finances.
Additional Annual $437,959 for Carroll Community College
Again, with the support of Governor Hogan and committee Chairs McIntosh and Kasemeyer, Senator Ready and I were able to pass legislation correcting a longstanding funding inequity for small community colleges- Wor-Wic, Chesapeake, Cecil and
Carroll Community College.
This will bring $438K annually in additional funding for each institution beginning in FY19.
Governor Hogan also included $107K in additional funding for this year allowing CCC to cap tuition increases on our students at 1.5%.
Carroll County Capital Bond Allocations
Carroll County Public Safety Training Center-
$1.65 million has been allocated to the development of a
two and one-half story Live Fire Training Burn Building and firefighter training props with a bleacher-
style
outdoor classroom and toilet room facility
.
Carroll Hospital Center
is receiving a
$524K grant for expansion of the obstetrical rooms in the main hospital to provide
Family-Centered Neonatal Couplet Care. Carroll Hospital will be the first in Maryland and only the 2
nd hospital in the country to offer this program, which allows mommy and baby to remain together.
McDaniel College will be receiving $3 million for the construction and equipment for the
Gill Physical Education Learning Center for additional classroom space in the basement of Gill.
Freedom Army National Guard Readiness Center - an additional $214,000 in funds will be granted to continue funding the construction of a new facility in Sykesville.
Union Mills Homestead Restoration- $100,000 has been granted to put towards restoration and reconstruction of the property, including repair of the roof.
Boys and Girls Club of Westminster - $80,000 was allocated to support improvements and renovations for the afterschool program that helpsstudents with homework and gives them the opportunity to excel in their studies.
Mount Airy Visitor and Caboose Center - $25,000 grant for repairs and construction to include a 40ft x 20ft pavilion that will be built over the restored Baltimore & Ohio Caboose, #2095 on Main Street in Downtown Mount Airy.
Carroll County Legislation
Carroll Transit System- This legislation
will save Carroll County taxpayers $67,500 in FY18 and $90K per year thereafter, due to reduced insurance premiums, by allowing a non-profit corporation to serve as the local public transportation authority, thus limiting liability on the non-profit corporation.
Repeal - Huckster, Hawker or Peddler License & Mechanical Music Devices-Both bills
repealed unnecessary local laws
that once required licenses to sell produce in Carroll County and to play coin operated devices.
Polygraph Testing at the Detention Center- This
legislation, requested by Sheriff DeWees, will allow the Carroll County Detention Center to require p
olygraph examinations prior to employment.
Happy Spring!
