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Happy Thanksgiving
Dear Colleagues:
As we prepare for the long Thanksgiving weekend I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.
First, some important business. I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that the special session ended at 2:30 a.m. on Monday the 19th. After an intense three weeks, the House and Senate came together to approve a package that will address Maryland’s $1.7 billion structural deficit and allow our state to move forward. Major credit has to go to Governor O’Malley for his leadership in addressing this long-standing fiscal issue, calling the General Assembly into session with all the attendant risks, and in getting this package over the goal line.
I am happy to report that our natural resources– and therefore we – fared better than might have been expected under such circumstances.
The General Assembly has asked the Governor to submit a plan for eliminating 500 full time vacant positions. We received instruction from DBM today that we must identify 24 vacant pins for elimination. While this will certainly further impact our operations, it is much better than any other options that were on the table in recent weeks. We will be working with the Leadership Team to develop our list.
Next, the General Assembly approved our Governor’s proposal for a $4.2 million increase in our park operations. Thanks to Speaker Mike Busch, the House won the adoption of an enhancement to this initial funding providing for increases as total revenue increases in the future. As we continue to work to preserve our landscape, this new allocation will help ensure our ability to care for the public lands we already own and serve the citizens who enjoy them.
Also, while there are still some details to be worked out, the General Assembly has set aside $50 million for the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund. The monies will come from the Transportation Trust Fund and are designated to step up implementation of our Tributary Strategies.
Finally, the legislature voted to allow Maryland citizens to determine whether or not slots are right for our state. Whatever our personal feelings, it will be good to finally put this issue to rest, again so our state move forward with other business.
All things considered, the environment and our natural resources faired well in this historic special session.
On a personal note, I hope that you find yourselves with friends and family over the Thanksgiving weekend and the holidays that follow. And, while the holidays are a stressful time for many, I also hope you will find time to reflect, to take a deep breath and think about what it all means: To remember all the blessings we have to be thankful for, to share some of what we have with those less fortunate, to honor those who are no longer with us, and to pray for our men and women who continue to fight overseas.
God bless you and yours.
John
November 20, 2007