Our efforts have dealt a serious setback to the Administration’s plans:
the stream of press coverage, and
declining public support have had an impact.
The steady drumbeat of unanswered questions and concerns about the project have led to increased scrutiny and forced additional review. And be assured that all of this is being closely watched from afar by the potential investor groups. They can hardly be filled with confidence in the viability of the Governor’s 495-270 P3 scheme by what they’re seeing.
The Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) was to meet December 4 to vote on substantial changes to their June 4th plan for the toll lane project. However, the new version of the toll lane scheme requires the BPW to approve the change.
The date for the BPW to consider the changes has been repeatedly postponed. A new date for the vote has still not been determined.
Once again, Comptroller Franchot’s vote will be decisive. E-mail him now (pfranchot@comp.state.md.us) and tell to delay the BPW vote until there is more information about the plan’s finances and environmental impacts. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) must release its financial analyses to the BPW and the public before a vote takes place.
Recent events
November 20: The Montgomery County Delegation to the General Assembly Priorities Hearing included discussion of the Governor’s toll lane project. Dontwiden270.org members and others provided testimony opposing the Governor’s plan.
November 20: The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) voted unanimously to reject Governor Hogan’s P3 proposal. M-NCPPC’s vote is important because it controls parkland that MDOT needs for the highway expansion.
November 22: Governor Hogan launched an effort to rush big changes in the toll lane plan through the BPW over the Thanksgiving holiday, when public attention would be at a minimum. A vote was scheduled for December 4.
December 2: Nearly half the Maryland General Assembly (84 Senators and Delegates) sent a letter to the BPW to cancel discussion of the P3 proposal on December 4. The legislators requested the review occur only when MDOT provides sufficient information for the BPW, stakeholders, and the public to understand the proposal.
December 2: Comptroller Franchot requested a delay until December 18 on the BPW’s vote for amendments to the P3 toll lane procurement. Mr. Franchot acknowledged that additional time was necessary to consider the potential consequences of the plan.
December 3: Governor Hogan agreed to delay the BPW vote until December 18 in consideration of Comptroller Franchot’s request.
December 4: Governor Hogan did not appear at the BPW meeting. Lt. Governor Rutherford presided instead.
December 5: Comptroller Franchot announced that the critical vote on the P3 amendments might not occur until after Christmas to allow additional time for review.
December 6: The P3 proposal to widen I-270 and I-495 did not appear on the December 18 BPW agenda. However, it is still possible for a vote to occur on December 18. The next BPW meeting after December 18 is January 8, 2020.
For more information on recent events, go to https://dontwiden270.org/archives
Write the Comptroller
The BPW vote may yet take place on December 18. It is essential that Comptroller Franchot be told that the BPW vote must not occur until there has been an independent fiscal analysis and an economic report, including toll rates. And these reports must be made public. Remind him that as the state's fiscal watchdog, he has a duty to protect Maryland taxpayers and promote fiscal responsibility.
If you wrote before or you have not yet written, now is the time to write:
The Honorable Peter Franchot, Comptroller of Maryland at pfranchot@comp.state.md.us.
Be sure to include your home address in the email.
Check out our latest addition to En Español on our website:
Legislatura Estatal: Una Visión General is the Spanish version of “Your State Legislature: An Overview”
Have a Question or Comment? Want a speaker for your community?
E-mail us at contactdontwiden270@gmail.com .
Want a Yard Sign?
Raise your voice and draw attention to Dontwiden270 with these colorful, two-sided yard signs! Order here.