From the office of Del. Mary-Dulany James:
Dear Friends,
Last week was another eventful one in Annapolis. The budget process is accelerating, and many other pieces of legislation are moving forward. One piece of legislation that I am particularly engaged in is a bill instituting a Fast Track Process for development projects.
I introduced this legislation last year, but withdrew it as a courtesy to the Governor, who had hoped to implement it through Executive Order. Because, unfortunately, that did not happen, I have introduced the bill again. It is my hope that either the bill passes or the Governor does in fact enact a meaningful Fast Track Process.
As most of you will recall, the Fast Track Process helps speed up the process of government issued permits so that new development (offices, retail, buildings and even roads) that has already been approved at the local level can move forward without unnecessary delay. This will go a long way toward encouraging private investment and private job creation. Both are good for our economy and citizenry – putting people back to work.
Below is a copy of the letter I sent out to key individuals who will be helping support the bill, provide written testimony, appear as witnesses in Annapolis and work with the business community to keep Maryland a leader in the nation as we come out of this recession together, better than before.
I hope these updates are helpful in keeping you informed about what I am doing here in Annapolis. As always, I hope to hear from you soon and that you will take the time to share with me the issues that are most important to you. When you are in Annapolis please stop by!
Very Truly Yours,
Mary-Dulany James
February 18, 2011
Re: Fast Track Process for State Highway Administration and Maryland Department of the Environment Permits
To Whom It May Concern,
Thank you for agreeing to be a part of my efforts to pass fast tracking legislation. As we discussed, last year I sponsored HB 1552, which was designed to create a Fast Track Process for development projects in the context of receiving timely and expedited permits from the State Highway Authority and Maryland Department of Environment. That bill had the full support of the “Blue Dog Caucus” (BDC – an informal name for a group of centrist legislators that among other things pay particular interest to business and economic needs in our state) as well as the Speaker of the House. Soon after the Bill was introduced, the Governor met with me and the BDC asking that we allow him to make the first attempt at creating such a fast tracking system at the state level. We had three or four meetings before the 2010 session ended. Ultimately as a courtesy to the Governor, after having a hearing on the matter, we withdrew the bill with the understanding that the Governor would achieve this worthy goal through executive order.
Between last session and this session that did not occur. As such, along with a significant number of members of the BDC, this year I re-submitted fast tracking legislation, HB 474. As I write this letter, we are having ongoing meetings with the Governor’s office. The Governor’s office feels confident that this year the State will be able to accomplish a Fast Track Process by Executive Order. While I hope this will come to fruition, and I can withdraw this bill, either way, I am hoping we can bring about significant change to the pace of Maryland development through fast tracking before the end of 2011.
Your involvement is needed to help advance this legislation. You have agreed to participate as a witness and write letters of testimony and send letters of support to others.The more you promote this legislation, by contacting members of the business community, the more likely this bill will pass so we can get an efficient fast tracking system in place.
Please see the enclosed documents pertaining to the bill:
1. HB 474, this year’s bill;
2. HB 1552, last year’s bill;
3. the Fiscal Note from last year’s bill;
4. “Governor Martin O’Malley Announces Maryland Made Easy” Press Release;
5. Governor’s Task Force on Highway Access Permits Q&A;
6. Draft Executive Order regarding Fast Tracking;
7. Report of the State Highway Access Permit Stakeholder Review Group;
8. Access Permit Stakeholder Review Group Final Recommendation Report.Again, thank you for your support, and I look forward to working with you on this bill.
Very Truly Yours,
Mary-Dulany James
State Delegate,
Harford and Cecil Counties
livinginbelair72 says
Before you push fast track development, make sure the roads and other infrastructure in that area has adequate funding for improvements, and that you secure a Develop Impact Fee so the taxpayers who elected you don’t suffer in traffick or pay higher taxes. Look out for those who elected you before you bend over for the special interest groups
Michael Hitchings says
The current processes for permitting and evaluation of additional development, while challenging and often slow, are established to be contemplative. Permitting evaluation requires significant coordination between a number of different agencies. By expediting the process, our government incurs additional risk of failing to properly evaluate critical resources including environmental factors essential to Chesapeake Bay health. Fast tracking just to encourage development risks missing the boat.
Matt says
Fast track does not sound like it is in the best interests of the citizens of Harford County but, does sound like it is in the best interests of developers. The contents of this article will be placed in my mental file cabinet and called up as the next election approaches.
Truthbtold says
Will Del. James please disclose all developers and those associated as partners/silent partners of developers who contributed to her campaign? Will she also reveal all those developers and lobbyists that she has met with privately?
Something tells me she may have an alterior motive…then again, she may have the public’s bests interests in mind. Disclosure is the key here.
Paul from Aberdeen says
Ms James apears to NOT have the best interest of her constituents at heart. She seems more interested in helping the developers (for example, Presbyterian Homes). And as far as putting Marylanders to work on these projects, she probably favors the “new Americans”, an O’Malley euphamism for illegal aliens. We really need a lot of new faces in Annapolis!
belairfed says
What’s with her this session? She’s up the behind of every business interest and developer she can get her arms around. First it’s that tax break for Carsins Run by blackmailing Aberdeen and now this. Some less than stellar legislating. She probably is all for the 12 cent a gallon tax hike too. Yea Southern Harford, you’ve re-elected a real doozie.