State Senate Approves Residential Energy Legislation
Maryland state Sen. Malcolm Augustine (D-District 47) witnessed the trend of door-to-door salesmen in his district preying on low-income communities by selling energy “savings” that, in many cases, never materialize.
To combat scammers and safeguard residents, Augustine introduced legislation that he claimed to be “a significant consumer protection and cost of living bill.”
However, some of Maryland’s smaller energy companies have argued that the bill is anti-consumer and have possibly even threatened to leave the state.
“The legislation reflects a misapprehension of the energy industry, and well-established business practices of companies that have responsibly served Maryland consumers for many years. Above all it does not reflect your goals for Maryland,” the executives of several energy companies wrote in a letter to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D).
Opposing the bill and requesting a meeting, leaders from companies such as Constellation and American Power and Gas, shared their concerns about the legislation with the governor.
“This bill irreparably harms Maryland’s ability to meet legislatively mandated 2050 climate goals, and your agenda to attract more innovation and business investment to Maryland.”
The bill is likely to pass as the House version of the bill is sponsored by Delegate Brian Crosby (D-District 29B), the vice chair of the House Economic Matters Committee and chair of the Utilities Subcommittee.
Moore has not stated if he supports or opposes the measure publicly.
More amendments to this bill are expected before it passes the state Senate.
Final Vote on State Budget Expected This Week
A final vote on the session’s budget is expected this week, with Senate leaders noting that the budget will protect key priorities without necessitating any tax increases.
This budget, required by the Maryland Constitution to be balanced, does not come without critics or controversy and still leaves many questions regarding the future of Maryland’s economy. Moreover, another projection of revenue fell short roughly $250 million shy of prior expectations.
Currently, projected collections for this year are expected to increase by about $850 million, totaling more than $24.5 billion. Starting next year, the revenue panel projects state revenue will flatten over time and grow by more than $260 million year over year. However, the ongoing budget deficit of nearly $1 billion is only expected to grow over the next several years without additional revenues.
Senate President Bill Ferguson (D- District 46) and Budget Committee Chair Senator Guy Guzzone (D- District 13) have strongly opposed tax increases, while Ways and Means Chair Vanessa Atterbeary (D- District 13) believes that now is the time to seek additional revenues.
Some of the proposed new taxes would be an expanded sales tax, increased sin taxes, and higher taxes on the wealthy and multi-state corporations.
“I just do not believe right now that raising taxes is something we have to do. I have not seen anything yet in the way that the budget has rolled out that would move me from that position,” said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore when asked about the prospect of increased taxes. “We’re always going to continue really digging into the numbers and digging into the data. We’re always going to make the decisions that are going to be both fiscally responsible and also address the moment.”
Proposed Legislation Would Further Criminalize Fentanyl Distribution
“We have a crisis in our nation and Maryland,” said April Babcock during a recent press conference surrounded by other family members and friends advocating for a change in Maryland’s drug laws.
“Why are drug dealers getting away with murder?” questioned Babcock, who tragically lost her son to an overdose in 2019. Now she wants state leaders to prevent any more unnecessary deaths.
Victoria and Scottie’s Law, named to honor two individuals who died from fentanyl overdoses, was introduced to bring further penalties to drug dealers whose products are laced with the extremely dangerous substance. According to publicly available data from the Maryland Department of Health, fentanyl was involved in nearly 80% of Maryland’s 2,800 overdoses last year.
The new bill would add at least 20 years to the sentence of anyone convicted of distributing fentanyl if it results in death or serious bodily injury.
“The bill is designed to go after drug dealers who are selling the worst of the worst to our loved ones and not addicts who need treatment,” said Delegate Christopher Tomlinson (R-District 5), whose district encompasses portions of rural Frederick and Carroll counties.
“These dealers are not getting high on their own supply. These are people who are purposely making money dealing poison that kills people,” said Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-District 5), one of the sponsors of the Senate version of the legislation.
This bill, if passed, would account for Good Samaritan clauses that make it easier and safer for individuals experiencing an overdose to seek medical attention if necessary.