MML’s Legislative Committee was proud to be joined last week by Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones. On Wednesday, January 29th, the two new leaders of their respective chambers paid a visit to the MML headquarters to meet LC members and answer a few questions.
President Ferguson opened his remarks by acknowledging the role of government closest to the people, saying he has “a great deal of respect” for Maryland’s municipal leaders. When asked about Highway User Revenues (HURs), both President Ferguson and Speaker Jones highlighted the greater challenges faced by the Transportation Trust Fund (the parent account to HURs) stemming from gas tax revenues not rising as much as expected. President Ferguson vowed to keep an open mind after hearing that MML’s priority bill was not asking for any new funding until FY25. Both understood the impact fuel efficient and electric cars are having on transportation revenues and expect the issue to be studied in the next couple of years.
League President Ryan Spiegel was on hand to thank Speaker Jones and President Ferguson for their visit and to share MML’s commitment to working with them to improve the state of municipalities in Maryland.