Tuesday is the eve of the 2019 Maryland Legislative Session. This is a nervous time for a record number of first time law makers as they try to navigate Maryland politics. There will be 44 new members in the House and 17 new members in the Senate, which is a larger than a normal freshman class. That can lead to a lot of unanswered questions on how legislators will handle the 2019 session.
Governor Larry Hogan is fresh off his election victory as he begins his second four-year term. The Governor says education is a priority as well as keeping Maryland's economy strong.
"We are going to continue to focus on job creation. We got more company's opening and more people working than every before but, we want to keep that progress up and we got to do something about trying to assist the city with this violent crime situation."
The option of having a state board to regulate prescription drug prices has already been discussed and a bill will come early on in the session to propose that. Looking at raising the minimum wage in Maryland to $15 an hour will be proposed this year again.
Raising taxes might also be discussed as the Kirwin commission is expected to recommend a record amount in education spending in the billions for Maryland schools.
Delegate Talmadge Branch said legislators would plan on funding some of the commission's recommendations; "and we are gonna find ways within this budget to make sure we fund some of the actions of the Kirwin commision."
Some residents don't have a wish for any specific law but, a message for all legislators.
47 Senators and 141 delegates will will descend on Annapolis as the General Assembly kicks off Wednesday at noon.
