With the abbreviated legislative session about to end, DontWiden270.org sent an open letter to Del. Kumar Barve, Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, urging him to take immediate and effective action on a fix for the Governor’s Luxury Lane plan for I-270/I-495.
Dear Delegate Barve,
Time is running out for you to have an impact on the Governor’s Luxury Lane plans. We implore you to keep the promises you made to your constituents in your March 3 mass email response about toll-lane legislation:
“As Chairman, I am responsible that the legislation coming from my committee is capable of winning support in the House and especially in the Senate. With the bills in this category, particularly, I am reaching out to my Senate counterparts to ensure that, together, we pass lasting solutions that are grounded in sound public policy.
“Your needs come first. This is why I will emphasize passing bills that the House and Senate support.”
Now we see in today’s Maryland Matters that powerful members of the Senate, including Sen. Nancy King, oppose all three of the bills you’ve released from your committee. The bills, if they pass the House, will be sent to the same Senate Budget and Taxation Committee that refused to consider the similar bill you sent them last year!
There are two things you need to do to keep your promises and put your constituents’ needs first:
While there’s still time, release from your own committee the County Consent bill, HB292, and send it to the much more favorably-inclined Senate Finance Committee. It may be your only remaining chance to fix the disastrous toll-lane plan.
Use all of your considerable power and influence to ensure Senator King and the Budget and Taxation Committee pass the P3 bills.
The future of transportation in the region and the financial security of all Marylanders depend on your actions at this critical time.