The MTA/MSPAA Legislative Reception was held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 in the Senate Office Building. A meeting of the MTA Board of Governors, MSPAA President Jack Howard, Attorneys Byron Warnken and Rebecca Smith, MTA lobbyists from Cornerstone Government Affairs and MTA members was first held. PJ Hogan of Cornerstone stated that Governor Hogan has introduced his budget, which is balanced for this moment in time and much better than when the 2011 prescription plan legislation was enacted. He stated that a recent report by Moody’s Analytics indicates that while Maryland’s economy is strong at the moment, an extended federal government shutdown could have “devastating” economic effects. There was considerable discussion about House Bill 98 and Senate Bill 193, which would permanently reinstate prescription coverage for Medicare eligible retirees and their dependents. Toya Adams, MTA SLEOLA’s representative, provided an extensive update, and Jeff Wobbleton reviewed the status of Next Generation 911.
Attendees of the reception that followed included Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, Maryland State Police Superintendent William Pallozzi and his senior command staff, as well as numerous Senators and Delegates. Senator Katherine A. Klausmeier, who officially filed SB 193, attended the reception and stated that the bill was co-sponsored by every Senator in Maryland, and she was looking forward to working with her colleagues to restore prescription benefits to Medicare eligible retirees and their dependents.
As always, the MTA will continue to keep you informed of any developments on these two pieces of legislation.
Rick Norman
Executive Director
MTA