2023 Maryland General Assembly Update
Week Three: Governor's Budget, Shore Priorities, Prepaid College Trust, Eastern Shore Delegation Zoom, and more
A NEW BUDGET
Governor Wes Moore proposed $63.1 billion for the Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget on January 20, 2023, including $8.8 billion in K-12 education for Maryland public schools with $500 million specifically targeted for implementation of the Kirwan Education Blueprint, $1.4 billion for mental health and substance use programs, $122 million in aid to local police departments, and $500 million to support transportation projects.
Former Governor Hogan left his successor with a $5 billion surplus, and the new Governor noted in his budget letter to the Maryland General Assembly leaders that “We are in a fortunate financial position to craft this budget with significant positive General Fund cash balances."

I am grateful that Governor Moore has promised to deploy the surplus intentionally and strategically, and to Leave No One Behind. We in the Eastern Shore Delegation will work even harder to ensure that the new Governor and his Administration do not leave behind our key Shore constituencies like our farmers, watermen, and small business job creators and entrepreneurs.
COUNTY BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
SOMERSET:
$19.4 million - Eastern Correctional Institution for building upgrades and perimeter security
$12.6 million - University of Maryland Eastern Shore, new Agricultural Research Center
$3 million - Somers Cove Marina Bulkhead Replacement, Phase 3
$825, 830 - Smith Island Clean Water Project
$400,000 - Janes Island State Park Water Distribution, Sewer Collection & Electric Upgrade
WICOMICO:
$7 million, Mardela Middle/High School
$4.5 million, Town of Hebron Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement
$2.2 million, Salisbury University, Blackwell Hall Renovation
$1.3 million, Lower Shore Clinic, New Mental Health Facility
$1.1 million, Wicomico High School $519,883
$519,883-Three Lower Counties Community Services – Chesapeake Health Acquisition
$287,500, Pittsville Park Playground Improvements
$225.000, New Pirates Wharf Boating Facility $194,811,
$194,811, Fruitland Recreational Park Improvements
$5,603, Salisbury Fire Department, New Outboard Motor
WORCESTER:
$3.8 million, Berlin Police Barrack, New Barrack Forensic Lab and Garage
$2.2 million, New Pocomoke Library
$2 million, Ocean City Beach Replenishment Program
$2 million, Pocomoke River State Park, New Elevated Boardwalk Trail
$1.4 million, Shad Landing Marina and Boat Ramp Replacement
$1.4 million, Buckingham Elementary School
$844,306, Pocomoke City Market Street Water Main Relining
$325,000 Assateague State Park, Rackliffe House Parking Lot
$200,000, Milburn Boat Ramp Replacement
$200,000 Snow Hill-Public Landing Retaining Wall and Rip Rap
$150,000 Pocomoke City Boat Ramp Improvements$59.500, Snow Hill Middle School/Cedar
Chapel Special School
$4,177, Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company Rescue Safety Equipment
ADDITIONAL BUDGET NEWS:
The Board of Public Works on January 25th approved $250,000 for the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department for the South Station facility. Both Delegate Hartman and I made this a local priority bond project last session.
MARYLAND 529 PREPAID COLLEGE TRUST
The Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee held a hearing on Tuesday which focused on the current challenges facing the Maryland 529 Prepaid College Trust Plan. The problem came to light when Prepaid College Trust Plan account holders, who tried to withdraw their accrued interest that they were promised to pay for college expenses were unable to do so due to an interest calculation problem. The Maryland College Investment Plan accounts were not
affected.

Prior to the hearing, I joined with a group of Senators in a letter which urged Maryland college and university presidents to delay billing for the 2023 Spring semester and/or give families the opportunity to set up delayed payment plans.
The Maryland Association of Community Colleges, which includes Wor-Wic Community College located in Salisbury, agreed with the Senators and the Maryland colleges and university have delayed billing or provided payment options for the 2023 Spring Semester.

529 Officials have developed and implemented a “temporary” manual process for account holders who have submitted a Request for Account Support form until Maryland 529 can move to an automated process.

As a member of the committee with oversight of education, I joined with my colleagues in pressing the 529 officials for specific recommendations on how to fast track fixing and resolving this problem for all those who in good faith set up these accounts years ago to help pay for their children’s college expenses.
EASTERN SHORE DELEGATION ZOOM: EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIUM
Highlights from this week’s Eastern Shore Delegation zoom included a key presentation by the members of the Eastern Shore of Maryland Educational Consortium, including Worcester Superintendent Lou Taylor, Somerset Superintendent John Gaddis, and a Wicomico representative for Superintendent Micah Stauffer of Wicomico County
I am extremely concerned about the many bureaucratic and funding challenges that our local school superintendents are facing with the required mandates under the Kirwan Blueprint education bill. After hearing that our school leaders and teachers are spending so much time and energy on meeting unrealistic Kirwan timelines, we as members of the Eastern Shore Delegation will push for maximum flexibility on timelines and overall implantation of the Blueprint.




SPECIAL RECOGNITION IN THE SENATE CHAMBER
Maryland native and tennis star, Frances Tiafoe
(shown holding his Senate Resolution), is recognized on the Senate Floor.
LOCALS IN ANNAPOLIS
Several local officials were in Annapolis for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) Legislative meeting including Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano, Wicomico Administrator Bunky Luffman, and Worcester County Administrator Weston Young.
Attending the Legislative meeting from MACO (left to right above) Del. Chris Adams (D-37B), Secretary of Agriculture, Kevin Atticks, Senator Carozza, Wicomico County Executive, Julie Giordano, and Worcester County Administrator Weston Young.
In Annapolis to attend the Maryland Chamber of Commerce meetings were ( L to R) Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors Amy Thompson, Ocean City, and Kerrie Bunting, Ocean Pines, Senator Carozza, and Del. Wayne Hartman (D38C)
I also welcomed members of leadership from the Maryland State Firemen's Association
Officials from the Maryland State Firemen's Association (MSFA) (Left to right above): Malea Daughton, Ladies Auxiliary (LA)MSFA Pres.; Jean Main, LAMSFA Sr. V. P.; Skip Carey, 2nd V. P., MSFA; Senator Carozza (D38); Eric Smothers, 1st V.P. MSFA; Ben Kurtz, Pres. MSFA; and Del. Wayne Hartman (D38C)
Important to the overall operation of the legislature are our Interns. Meet one of mine, Autumn Custis from Somerset County. Autumn is a junior Political Science major with a minor in Religion and Justice at Goucher College.
SNEAK PREVIEW
I am honored to serve on the Workgroup to Study Child Custody Proceedings Involving Child Abuse or Domestic Violence Allegations from 2019-2020.

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold a hearing on my Senate Bill 13 which aims to establish training and qualifications for Custody Evaluators who play an important role in assisting family law courts in determining custody outcomes in some of the most sensitive and difficult cases involving allegations of domestic violence and child abuse.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 31st at 1:00 pm in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. I have heard from parents, advocates, and legal child custody experts for years that there is no consistent training for custody evaluators, whose recommendations are given heavy weight by judges.
These child custody cases involving allegations of domestic violence and child abuse are among the most sensitive and traumatic issues which underscores the need to ensure adequate training and qualifications for these important custody evaluators.
Additional Resources
Following Legislation and Testifying
Not only does the General Assembly provide multiple ways to participate in your state government proceedings, but a full set of videos is also available online:
  • Understanding the MD General Assembly
  • Finding your legislator
  • Searching for bills by number, sponsor, subject matter
  • Understanding a bill
  • Tracking a bill
  • Searching media
  • Creating a personal MyMGA Account
  • Witness Sign Up-to testify on Bills
I look forward to hearing from you soon! Please contact me on issues important to you.

410-841-3645
marybeth.carozza@senate.state.md.us
In Service,





Mary Beth Carozza
State Senator-District 38
Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset
410-841-3645