OCEAN CITY, Md. — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Tuesday night that he will continue to fight the Democratic-majority legislature over the funding of transportation road projects and enlisted the help of local elected officials to join him.
“We’re going to keep fighting to make sure these priority road projects in every jurisdiction continue to move forward,” Hogan said. “But we need our municipal and our county officials, each and every one of you, to stand with us so our roads and highways don’t go back down a path of neglect and under investment.”
Hogan and the General Assembly have been in a protracted battle over how transportation funds should be spent.
Last year, the governor killed the Red Line rail project affecting Baltimore City and Baltimore County and slashed the state’s share of the costs of the Purple Line in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. During the same transportation announcement, Hogan increased the amount of funding for repairing roads.
This year, the General Assembly responded by overturning the governor’s veto of a bill that requires the state to score transportation projects before choosing which plans to fund.
Hogan’s speech, which included jabs at the legislature and chest-pounding over improvements in job creation, was his first as governor to the convention.
Among the dinner attendees were former governors Harry Hughes and Parris Glendening and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz (D), a likely candidate in 2018 for the governor’s seat.
Kamenetz said Hogan’s criticism of the General Assembly was unfair.
He “criticized the General Assembly for passing a transportation scoring bill which really was as a result of his very action of stealing” the money from the Red Line project, Kamenetz said. “I think it’s fair for the General Assembly to ask how do you establish priority.”
Meanwhile, Jerome J. Klobukowski, a commissioner in Poolesville, said he supported Hogan’s efforts on transportation because it has helped municipalities.
“I hope he continues in office for more than one term,” Klobukowski said.
Last year, Hogan, who was newly diagnosed with cancer, could not attend the convention because of his chemotherapy treatment. He sent Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford (R) in his place, and the attendees posted pictures on social media of them wearing green Hogan Strong bracelets and signing a card for him.
Hogan thanked the officials for their prayers and well wishes.
“I will never forget seeing the photos of all of you here signing that giant get-well card,” Hogan said. “Even though I’m a year late, I want you all to know I am thankful to be standing here tonight in remission, 100-percent cancer free and feeling strong.”
