Minimum wage, childcare top of mind as Lower Shore delegation reflects on 2023 session

The delegation to the Maryland General Assembly representing the lower Eastern Shore concluded its 2023 work in Annapolis 10 days before, but their duties were not quite finished until they made their way back home for the Post Legislative Session Forum in Salisbury.

At the Wicomico County Civic Center on Thursday, April 20, six area legislators attended a luncheon hosted by the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce before recapping their recent three-month period of legislative activity. There were over 100 community members on hand to hear from the delegation.

“We had new individuals in positions of leadership and new people on the committees,” said Del. Charles Otto, R-Wicomico/Worcester/Somerset, during the forum alongside three other delegates and the area’s two state senators. Otto has been in the General Assembly since 2011.

New governor led to new situations for the delegation

A key new face is in Annapolis is the state’s governor, Democrat Wes Moore, who, after being elected last November, began his term one week after the legislators were sworn in. This shift from a Republican governor brought both new personnel and new legislation that affected the Lower Shore delegation.

Del. Chris Adams, R-Wicomico, finished his first session as chair of the Eastern Shore delegation that represents the nine Shore counties from Cecil to Somerset.

“It’s very important citizens know that is a nonpolitical job,” said Adams, in an interview before the luncheon began. “We are connecting with the governor’s office as we did this year with all the new secretaries.”

Adams facilitated virtual meetings with many of Moore’s cabinet members, ranging from the head of the department of Agriculture to the secretary of Veterans Affairs. He also highlighted having Eastern Shore native, former Salisbury Mayor Jake Day in the cabinet, as the secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Both Adams and Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes, D-Wicomico/Dorchester, served on the House Economic Matters Committee, which heard a bill from the governor that increased the minimum wage and tied future increases to inflation. Both lawmakers were against the inflation provision, which ultimately was removed from the law that requires a $15 an hour minimum wage starting on Jan 1.

Bill Chambers, president and CEO of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, started off the nearly two-hour event, which Zach Evans, chair elect of the Chamber’s Executive Committee moderated. The forum began with a discussion of a failed bill to reduce the corporate income tax, introduced by Del. Wayne Hartman, R-Worcester, and stayed on business themes throughout.

Childcare remains a priority for legislators, business community

Echoing a discussion topic that has arisen at the federal level, Evans asked the legislators, “What incentives can be offered to businesses who want to invest in their own childcare centers?”

Sample-Hughes reminded the audience of funding to support childcare passed in the 2022 session. She said businesses should “absolutely” offer childcare. She also referenced childcare facilities in Salisbury that have recently closed because they have not met the state standards to operate.

“We want to make sure our existing childcare providers are successful,” said Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, R-Wicomico/Worcester/Somerset. “This cannot be all on the school system.”

More: As Maryland's school plan begins, 'childcare deserts' a persistent problem

The Lower Shore’s other state senator, Sen. Johnny Mautz, R-Talbot, began working on the childcare issue in his district before the session began. Carozza said the challenge is “ongoing and we will work with you during the interim as we move forward.”

The audience included several local elected officials, including Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano. Del. Carl Anderton Jr., R-Wicomico, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, did not attend the forum, though a place was set for him at the head table.

Adams, who got into the political arena about eight years ago after a fight to save his family’s business, indicated the importance of the legislators' work and of what goes on in Annapolis.

“We have to make sure that everyone that’s sitting here at the table and in the General Assembly knows that money, tax dollars are your dollars,” said Adams, “and we need to spend that wisely.”

Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Lower Shore delegation reflects on General Assembly session at forum