Halls of the Annapolis State House complex — normally abuzz with constituents, lawmakers and the press — are hushed.
Last week, Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) prohibited the general public from visiting the State House as part of efforts to quash the spread of COVID-19 — effectively canceling all tours, public bill hearings and hard-fought face time in the halls of House and Senate office buildings.
With just hours left in the 2020 legislative session, lawmakers are dashing madly to put final touches on legislation they have long labored over.
Lobbyists and advocates are scrambling remotely, hoping to push their priority legislation over the finish line and to the governor’s desk.
The closing has brought challenges to the process. People are relying largely on texts, emails and live streams to reach bill sponsors and make their final entreaties.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Hannah Gaskill over at Maryland Matters