Several Maryland lawmakers wondered aloud Wednesday whether Gov. Larry Hogan’s huge incentive package to lure Amazon’s second headquarters is too generous — or whether it should be offered at all. But a House committee voted by a slim margin to advance the plan another step toward passage.
“Let’s bring Amazon home, baby,” Del. Jay Walker (D-Prince George’s) said ahead of the count.
The bill received exactly the 12 “yes” votes needed for the 23-member committee’s approval. Six members voted against it, one abstained and others were absent.
The passage with no votes to spare could presage a lively debate as the bill reaches the floor of the full House on Thursday. The Senate voted 35-11 last week to approve the bill.
Hogan administration officials say the $5 billion package would give the state a clear advantage over others trying to woo the second headquarters and its anticipated 50,000 jobs, and they’re bullish on their odds. They call it a once-in-a-generation economic development opportunity.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Steve Thompson over at the Washington Post