State legislators meet, entering difficult session in Annapolis

(L-R) Conaway, Wells, Hayes and Amprey)

When I was a kid growing up in Austin and the Texas legislature assembled for its biennial meeting, neighbors used to joke about “locking up our women, children and pets” to fend off the depredations of the hard-partying part-time legislators.

On Jan. 4, the senator and the three delegates who represent Maryland’s 40th General Assembly District (which includes Bolton Hill) assembled for three hours with about 100 constituents. In contrast with the Texas anecdote, they seemed prepared, serious and ready to serve in what is expected to be a contentious session in Annapolis that kicked off on Jan. 8 and will run until April 7. All four legislators are Democrats.

Sen. Antonio Hayes predicted hard budgeting decisions as the state comes to grips with a projected near $3 billion gap between spending commitments the state has made and projected revenues for fiscal 2025. The senior delegate, Frank Conaway Jr., forecasted “the worst session ever. We have to raise taxes, cut funding and end programs.” He said he also hoped to pass a law to make it easier to evict squatters, a problem throughout much of West Baltimore, and to make delivery companies assume more responsibility for packages lost to porch pirates.

Del. Melissa Wells, elected to chair the city’s entire legislative delegation this session, said her priorities are to preserve education funding – “we can’t balance the budget on the backs of our children” – and to upgrade public transit in the city. Del. Marlon Amprey said he hopes to prioritize criminal justice and prison reform. The 40th District “has the state’s largest population of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated citizens,” he said.

Bolton Hill had eight attendees at the meeting, including BHCA President Lee Tawney, Steve Howard, Jim Prost, Oge Okoli, Deborah Morris, Bill Hamilton, Andy Hinz and Rochelle Carpenter. The two city council members representing Bolton Hill, James Torrence and Zac Blanchard, also were present.

Hayes said his overarching focus will be to strengthen the authority and preserve funding commitments for the West North Avenue Development Authority. Their plan is coordinating traffic and roadway improvements, housing and commercial building upgrades and other enhancements for the long-neglected west-east stretch from Coppin State University to Mt. Royal Ave.

The delegation will host a trip to Annapolis for 40th District citizens on March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. Chartered buses are being arranged by Hayes to carry residents to and from the mid-session update briefing and dinner. (Details will be posted on BHCA’s website calendar).

Other items touched on during the pre-session briefing:

State Center: Hayes said he hoped to obtain state funds to continue planning for the transfer of the soon-to-be vacant property from state to city ownership, with an engineering study on how best to preserve some buildings and existing underground parking while taking down others. “I don’t want those buildings empty without a clear plan,” he said.

Grocery sales of beer and wine: It was clear that Hayes supports it, arguing that it can increase profitability and help encourage stores to stay open and reduce “food deserts” in the city. He acknowledged opposition from existing distributors and liquor retailers and said they deserved consideration. He favored requiring grocery stores who sell alcohol to stock Maryland craft beer and wine products and possibly pay some sort of new “convenience tax.”

Voting by mail: Wells will introduce a bill to provide pre-paid postage for voting by mail. A supporter of apprenticeship programs in construction, she also wants to require builders who receive public funds to deliberately build apprentice workers into their projects.

State appointments: Hayes encouraged neighborhood groups and individuals to apply for vacant positions on state boards and commissions and to contact his office when doing so. He chairs the Senate committee overseeing executive appointments.

Housing: Hayes said the governor is taking the lead on state funding to help restore or tear down vacant buildings in the city. “There are more vacant buildings in the 40th District than anywhere in the state.” He says he will work to get the funding the governor has proposed. Amprey said he hopes to pass laws to limit the ability of hedge funds to gobble up city housing, and to limit availability to would-be buyers.

Diversity and inclusion: Amprey said he supports tax credits to encourage companies in red states that are being harassed for their efforts to be inclusive, to move to Maryland.

Pharmacy closures: The delegates want to establish a study group to consider how to reduce pharmacy closures that lead to pharmacy deserts. A representative from the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Center (827 Linden Ave.), which hosted the meeting, noted that it has opened its 7-day outpatient pharmacy to residents inconvenienced by the closure of Rite Aid. UMMC’s pharmacy is now open to all, she said.

Scholarships: Applications for state scholarships for college and university students are due before May 2, but earlier submission is encouraged, Hayes said. Scholarships are made available through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and distributed through senators in each district. Current high school seniors and both full-time and part-time degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students, and private career students in the 40th District, are welcome. More information at https://www.antoniohayes.com/senatorial-scholarship.

Meanwhile, on Jan. 8, the mayor submitted his wish list of legislation to benefit the city. It includes:

  • Divert 2% of the 6% of state sales tax, generated in Baltimore City, for dealing with housing vacancies and providing property tax rebates
  • Establish an authority to oversee the future of the Baltimore Convention Center
  • Extend the expiring set-aside of state highway user revenue that is directed to Baltimore City highway and road maintenance
  • Extend the speed camera program for Interstate 83, set to expire June 30, 2026, and authorize the city to relocate cameras
  • Increase the civil penalties cap from $1,000 to $10,000 for illegal dumping
  • Remove syringes from the list of prohibited drug paraphernalia and reduce the fines and prison sentences for those found in possession
  • Authorize the creation of up to six overdose prevention centers statewide, including one or more in the city.

–Bill Hamilton