Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan wants to repeal a bill he likes to call a “road kill bill,” but his attempt at getting that repeal — and lawmakers’ attempts to tweak the bill to save it — appear to have stalled, at least for now.
In a Wednesday hearing that revealed raw feelings from lawmakers, there was no vote on Hogan’s repeal effort.
Both lawmakers and representatives from Hogan’s office said they are open to talking about ways to improve the bill that calls on the state to rate transportation projects. But Wednesday’s hearings showed rifts remain.
Sen. Nancy King, a Democrat who represents Maryland’s 39th District, asked Hogan’s chief legislative aid, Christopher Shank, if there were changes to the transportation bill that would make it workable.
“That conversation starts with the word repeal,” Shank said.
When Sen. Roger Manno, a Democrat who represents Montgomery County, asked about ways to get to an agreement on how to implement the regulations. Shank said the regulations were “unworkable.” A verbal spar ensued with Manno saying, “They’re your regulations;” and Shank replying, “They’re your bill, it’s your piece of legislation.”
Getting the transportation rating bill passed during last year’s General Assembly session proved tough. In Wednesday’s Senate committee hearing, Sen. Ed DeGrange, a Democrat who represents Maryland’s 32nd District, made clear that the fight had gotten personal.
“I’ve never, never had anyone question my motives or integrity ever until this administration,” he said.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Kate Ryan over at WTOP