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OCTOBER 16, 2020
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MDOT leaves out expansion of highways Declines in state revenue mean fewer improvements
ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY
EXIT RAMP
One Off Rod & Custom, from Middleton, Delaware, unveils a car to showcase during the 23rd annual Ocean City Endless Summer Cruisin’ event at the inlet parking lot, Saturday, Oct. 10.
Ballot questions all about money Representatives say change in state budget process would hurt rural counties By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (Oct. 16, 2020) Maryland voters will have two referendum questions on the general election ballot on Nov.3, with one asking whether to amend the state budget process and the other one whether to legalize sports betting. The first referendum question asks whether the General Assembly should have the power to increase,
decrease or add items to the budget as long as it does not exceed the budget total set by the governor. As it stands, the General Assembly can only decrease spending in the budget presented by the governor. Both Delegate Wayne Hartman (R-38 C) and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) oppose the measure. Hartman said the General Assembly has a history of spending more money than what is available. He added that it would give delegates from more populated areas, such as Baltimore or outside D.C., more power over rural jurisdictions. “We [rural areas] really could use
a lot of funding because the larger number of delegates on the other side of the bridge, if they had the ability to move money and change the budget completely, could take funds from rural areas like ours,” Hartman said. He also criticized that the General Assembly only voted for the amendment at the last minute while it was adjourning early because of the covid-19 pandemic. Carozza agreed that the legislature has overspending issues, adding that in a 10-year period, the General Assembly increased spending by 153 percent. However, that 10-year peSee CAROZZA Page 5
By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Oct. 16, 2020) Once again, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s consolidated transportation program leaves out improvements to State Route 90 and State Route 589. Maryland Deputy Transportation Secretary Sean Powell met with Worcester County Commissioners on Wednesday to discuss the draft FY 2021-26 consolidated transportation program, which details the Maryland Department of Transportation’s six-year capital budget. The Hogan administration will invest $13.4 billion in Maryland’s transportation network over the next six years. Officials also discussed the Maryland Transportation Authority’s $2.8 billion in additional investments in Maryland’s toll roads and bridges. See STATE Page 4
OC City Council ready to resume in-person sessions By Josh Kim Staff Writer (Oct. 16, 2020) Ocean City Council meetings will be in person once more, the council decided Tuesday afternoon. “We have done several things to make this happen,” City Manager Doug Miller said. Miller said the City Hall chamber room’s air units and filtration systems had been enhanced and the council’s dais had been socially distanced. See CITY Page 2