2020 Maryland General Assembly Update Week Four-Local Legislation, Overrides, and Celebrating Milestones
— The pace is picking up in Annapolis as the deadline to introduce legislation is fast approaching. Senator Carozza testified in support of legislation to create a fairer eviction process for all parties involved in Wicomico County. Senator Carozza voted to sustain Governor Larry Hogan’s vetoes on legislation that was considered during the 2019 legislative session. Senator Carozza also participated in a special Women’s Caucus event commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment.
CAROZZA TESTIFIES IN SUPPORT OF PRIORITY LOCAL LEGISLATION
Senate Bill 176—Wicomico County— Landlord and Tenant— Repossession for Failure to Pay Rent— Procedures was heard in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Tuesday, January 28. This legislation was introduced by Wicomico County Senators Adelaide Eckardt and Mary Beth Carozza. Senate Bill 176 would provide more notice to a tenant facing eviction so they can remove their belongings from the property. Officials from the Wicomico County Government and City of Salisbury testified in support of this bill.
“This local, targeted bill makes for a more efficient eviction process, provides increased protections for consumers, reduces blight in local neighborhoods, and frees up law enforcement for other priorities,” Senator Carozza said during her testimony in strong support of Senate Bill 176.
CAROZZA STANDS WITH WATERMEN IN OVERRIDE DEBATE, SUPPORTS COMMON SENSE VETOES
The full Senate on Thursday, January 30, 2020 reconsidered legislation that Governor Larry Hogan vetoed in 2019. One of those bills was Senate Bill 830, which reestablishes the Oyster Advisory Commission with new membership and requires the Department of Natural Resources to develop new consensus recommendations for enhancing the fishery management plan for oysters.
“It [Senate Bill 830] destroys the good-faith effort of time and resources devoted by all the stakeholders—DNR, the Oyster Advisory Commission, the watermen, and the environmental groups,” Senator Carozza said during her testimony in support of Governor Hogan’s veto, which was overridden on party lines.
“This bill does an end run around the various stakeholder groups and causes a delay on moving forward with oyster management...and destroys the trust of our working watermen and their families. I will be voting to sustain the Governor’s veto, and encourage my colleagues who will not be, to support initiatives that include and are fair to our watermen and be part of the process to rebuild trust, remembering that a waterman is on our Maryland State Seal.”
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF 19TH AMENDMENT COMMEMORATED IN ANNAPOLIS
The Maryland Women’s Caucus hosted a celebration on Wednesday, January 29 recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Senator Carozza is a member of the Women’s Caucus and is Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee.
The event, Maryland’s Suffragists, focused on Maryland’s role in the movement to grant women the right to vote. In 1867, Lavinia Dundore established the Maryland Equal Rights Society, the State’s first organization to advocate for granting women the right to vote. The Society’s efforts were met with opposition from Maryland’s elected officials, but the movement grew slowly and strengthened when Caroline Hallowell Miller formed the Maryland Woman Suffrage Association in 1889.
The movement on the Eastern Shore was organized by Mary Bartlett Dixon and activist Nannie Melvin, who campaigned in Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties for a women’s right to vote.
“2020 has been declared the Year of the Woman, and I am proud to be a part of the Women’s Caucus and help advance legislation benefiting the well-being of women across the State of Maryland,” Senator Carozza said at the event.
LOCALS IN ANNAPOLIS
Shore visitors to Annapolis this week included District 38 Clerks of the Circuit Court Susan R. Braniecki (Worcester), James “Bo” McAllister (Wicomico), and Charles Horner (Somerset); Wicomico County Council Vice President John Cannon; Salisbury Housing Director Everett Howard; the Powell Family of Marion Station and the Upton Family from Westover, who were recognized as Maryland Century Farm Families; Maryland History Day Teacher of the Year Stephen Smith from Somerset County; Peninsula Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Physician Kerry Forrestal; Worcester County Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Dean; Wor-Wic Community College President Ray Hoy and Board of Trustees Members Russell Blake, Kimberly Gillis, Andrew Booth, and student Sarah Wood; Moms Demand Action Advocates Stephanie and David Shultz of Delmar, Mary Shultz of Girdletree, Judith Burns of Salisbury, Nicole Hollywood of Ocean Pines, Jennifer Sampson of Salisbury, Linda Powers of Ocean Pines, Judy Davis of Ocean City, Kimberly Blackway of Ocean City, Denise Cervantes of Ocean Pines, Debbie Gousha of Ocean Pines, Rosie Bean of Berlin, and Kady Everson of Ocean Pines; Peninsula Regional Medical Center President Steven Leonard, Vice President of Strategy Christopher Hall, Vice President of Population Health Kathryn Fiddler, Vice President of Peninsula Regional Medical Group Karin DiBari, and Vice President of Patient Services Sarah Arnett; Salisbury University President Charles Wight; University of Maryland Eastern Shore President Heidi Anderson; District 38 School Superintendents Louis Taylor (Worcester), Donna Hanlin (Wicomico) and John Gaddis (Somerset).
The Maryland Women’s Caucus celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote! (l to r): Women’s Caucus Executive Director Catherine Hill; Women’s Caucus President Delegate Trent Kittleman; Senator Mary Beth Carozza; and Senator Carozza’s intern and Salisbury University student Claudena Roseus.
(l to r): Wicomico County Clerk of the Circuit Court James “Bo” McAllister; Worcester Chief Deputy Clerk Sherry Harrington; Worcester County Clerk of the Circuit Court Susan Braniecki; Senator Mary Beth Carozza; Somerset County Circuit Court Clerk Charles Horner; and Maryland Circuit Court Clerks’ Association President Katherine Hager (Queen Anne’s County).
Worcester County Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Dean visited Annapolis to testify in strong support of Senate Bill 231, which increases penalties for the sexual solicitation of a minor. Senator Carozza is a proud cosponsor of Senate Bill 231.