On Saturday, the Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad held its installation ceremony. Members of the Squad were given citations to honor the length of their service and dedicated volunteerism from Senator Bailey. While the Senator was unable to attend the ceremony, Delegate Brian Crosby presented the citations on behalf of Senator Bailey.
On Monday morning, Senator Bailey attended the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast in Leonardtown. Senator Bailey was able to give an update to the Chamber on the ongoing legislative session. Issues discussed included the Kirwan Commission’s recommendations, the potential legalization of sports gambling, and marijuana. The Senator also discussed bills that he has introduced to combat opioid use in our communities and to keep tobacco and other vaping products away from students on school grounds in St. Mary’s County. Senator Bailey also heard from members of the Chamber who are extremely concerned about proposals being introduced in Annapolis to expand the State’s sales tax to apply to many services not currently covered by the sales tax. Senator Bailey is strongly opposed to this expansion of the sales tax, as he is to any change in current law to increase the amount of money that we pay in taxes.
On Monday afternoon in Annapolis, Senator Bailey met with Dr. Jana Davis, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust to discuss educational opportunities that are possible for our local schools through partnering with the Trust. The Senator has introduced a number of bills this session dealing with our State’s waterways, including proposals about including ghost panels on crab pots, easing restrictions on commercial fishermen, improving data on Maryland’s recreational striped bass harvest, and keeping known poachers from being able to fish in the Potomac River. Senator Bailey also met with Kristen Harbeson from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters about legislation that the Senator’s committee is considering this session. They discussed restitution for environmental offenses, and the difficulty of prosecuting environmental crimes where the victims are our natural resources who cannot speak for themselves.
