Eastern Shore legislators review 2021 session goals, look forward to next moves

By Greg Ellison

(April 22, 2021) Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) and Delegate Wayne Hartman (R-38C) recapped progress and continuing legislative priorities during a Zoom meeting with the Ocean Pines Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, following the adjournment of the General Assembly last week.

Carozza said the 90-day session, which adjourned on April 12, marked an early success after kicking off Jan. 13 and passing Gov. Larry Hogan’s covid-19 relief package by February.

Hartman said the Democratic-controlled legislature proved challenging for Republican priorities.

“We had a lot of opposition for anything that was pro-business conservative agenda,” he said.

Despite other hurdles, Hartman said annual state budget passage was eased significantly through multiple federal funding initiatives for covid-19.

“We passed a budget that has $1.4 billion back in the rainy day fund and $700 million in reserves in the general fund,” he said.

Reviving legislation that stalled in 2020, Carozza worked in conjunction with Hartman to pass a ban on releasing balloons into the atmosphere.

Hartman said the bill was tweaked to focus on public awareness.

“It was amended with taking out some of the penalties,” he said.

Both legislators also backed passage of legalized sports betting in Maryland.

“It was time that we pass it here locally,” Hartman said.

Approving sports wagering was largely motivated by comparable moves elsewhere.

“All the surrounding states have moved forward with sports betting,” Carozza said.

Along with sports action, Hartman noted Ocean Downs Casino scored another financial boost this session.

“The moratorium on Ocean Downs not being able to have a hotel on the property has been lifted,” he said.

Notching one last victory the final day of session, Carozza said a bill passed allowing alcohol purchases with carryout or delivered food, enacted temporarily after covid 19, to continue after pandemic restrictions are lifted.

“Restaurants have been among the hardest hit with covid 19 [between] the closures, phased-in openings and all the challenges they faced,” she said.

Despite failing to gain traction this session, a proposed income tax credit for in-state tourism will be revisited, Hartman and Carozza said.

“It was to create travel within Maryland,” Hartman said “It would have provided a tax incentive for Marylanders … as long as it was more than 50 miles from their home.”

Current Eastern Shore legislative priorities the duo highlighted include bolstering Internet connectivity.

“If we learned anything during covid-19 it was our reliance and the need to build out our broadband accessibility,” Carozza said.

Broadband service has gained importance with widespread use of remote access options in business, education and health sectors during the coronavirus pandemic.

“This became a priority across the board for … all areas of the state,” Carozza said. “Our job … is to make sure the shore receives its fair share of funding and infrastructure for broadband build out.”

One win for Carozza in 2021, which also provides a lesson in diligence, was the passage of Wade’s Law, a public safety bill under development for five years.

Carozza said the multi-year effort was tied to a horrific car accident in 2016 that involved Worcester County road workers Wade Pusey and Scott Tatterson.

The criminally negligent driver took the life of Tatterson and left Pusey with life-threatening injuries.

After learning Maryland’s maximum charge for criminally negligent drivers inflicting severe injuries was a $500 citation, Carozza championed upping the punishment to one-year in prison.

“I wanted a just and fair penalty,” she said.