Legislative Session

School funding and student performance are vital issues for the business community because a strong school system provides a well-prepared workforce. For this reason, the GBC actively advocates for positive change. Not only is it our duty to provide the best possible outcomes for Maryland’s students, but it is...
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With the 2017 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly completed, the GBC begins its interim work. This work has a number of facets. First, we will complete an assessment of how we performed for GBC members. Were we effective advocates on behalf of the business community? How can...
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The 2017 session of the Maryland General Assembly concluded at midnight on Monday, April 10. Many impactful bills were passed during the 90-day session that will have ramifications, both positive and negative, for the Greater Baltimore region. Based on the GBC’s 2017 Legislative Priorities, please check out our end...
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Another legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly is drawing to a close. The Greater Baltimore Committee has had a visible and active presence in Annapolis influencing legislation affecting a variety of issues of importance for the Greater Baltimore region and the State. This session has been a busy...
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Legislators completed the FY2018 operating and capital budgets one week before the April 3 deadline. The $43.5 billion operating budget and the $1.065 capital budget, originally submitted by Governor Larry Hogan at the start of the session in January, will go into effect July 1. This year marked the...
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Governor Larry Hogan’s FY2018 operating budget continues to wind its way through the legislative approval process in Annapolis. Debate and committee voting is complete and cuts have been made based on the recommendations of budget analysts and the budget committees. Legislators are only able to make reductions in the...
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The increased likelihood of passage of mandatory sick leave legislation follows the well-worn path for many controversial proposals in Annapolis. It is not uncommon for controversial policy ideas to take more than one legislation session to earn passage in Annapolis. For mandatory sick leave, it looks like five years...
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A focus at this legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly is on the cost of doing business and the benefits that employees receive from their employer. Legislation includes proposals to raise the minimum wage or to mandate paid sick leave for employees. Other pending legislation includes a bill...
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A couple of weeks ago, we passed deadlines that guarantee bills introduced will be assigned to a committee and receive a hearing. Legislation can still be introduced after these deadlines, but chances for passage are decreased. There are two important deadlines looming in March. First, March 14 is known...
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Check out the priority legislation that the GBC weighed in on which received hearings last week in the Maryland General Assembly. In addition, the Maryland General Assembly has reached the halfway point of its 90-day legislative session. The halfway point allows for the opportunity to take stock in where things stand for the...
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The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) Board of Directors received a visit last week from Governor Larry Hogan. During the meeting, the Board heard from the Governor on his legislative and budgetary priorities for the current 2017 session of the Maryland General Assembly. The Governor said that his package of...
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GBC President and CEO Don Fry testified this week in support of HB 317 — Labor and Employment – Wages and Benefits – Preemption of Local Authority. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Dereck Davis, Chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee, prohibits a county or municipality from enacting a...
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On February 1, Governor Larry Hogan delivered the annual State of the State address. The speech, delivered to a joint session of the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates, focused on the governor’s core legislative priorities for 2017. After touting an economic resurgence in Maryland, the Governor touched on...
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Last week, the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) held its annual Legislative Forum. Nearly 350 Baltimore business leaders heard from a panel of leading policymakers about the major issues of the 2017 Maryland General Assembly legislative session in Annapolis. The panel consisted of: Delegate Dereck E. Davis, Chair, Economic Matters Committee,...
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This week marked an important milestone for the 2017 session – the release of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget.  Maryland does not allow legislators to add or move money around in the budget. This gives the governor tremendous power to control the budget and its priorities. Governor Larry Hogan’s...
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The 90-day legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly began January 11 and runs through April 10. Every year, the GBC Legislative Priorities serve as the foundation of our efforts in Annapolis and throughout the year. These priorities communicate to policymakers a roadmap for creating jobs and improving the...
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