Governor Larry Hogan announced yesterday that the state will invest $1 million for the revitalization of downtown Salisbury.
Mayor Jake Day hailed the money as marking a real partnership between state and local government.
He said, “The most important announcement said, ‘I’m a partner. I’m invested from this point forward.’ We’re going to see fruition of this project within three years. And I believe we have a partner all the way through, from beginning to end.”
The revitalization project is a 20 year plan that hopes to create a vibrant mixed-used center in the downtown area and along the river walk.
Meanwhile, there will be $29 million for projects for the Lower Shore in the capital budget for the 2018 fiscal year.
Governor Hogan said this is a recognition of the importance of the region.
He said, “All of these investments are critical examples of working together with your state and local officials and the private sector....and together, we are changing the Eastern Shore and Maryland for the better."
$13 million will go for projects in Wicomico Count while Somerset County will receive $12 million.
Another $3 million will be provided to Worcester County.
Hogan said he believed, “This side of the Bay Bridge was not getting much attention for eight years.' He added, "There are a lot things we have to catch up on and we’re happy to be doing it. But we’re doing the same thing throughout the state as well.”
Hogan Holds Town Hall
Earlier, Governor Larry Hogan joined Comptroller Peter Franchot – one Republican, one Democrat – to hold a town hall meeting at Headquarters Live in downtown Salisbury yesterday.
The two political leaders called themselves friends who don’t always agree.
The area of disagreement: Taxes.
Governor Hogan would like to cut them but Franchot says they should where they are for now.
Both, though, said this was not the time to raise taxes.
Hogan also reminded the audience that he ran on a bipartisan platform as he faces a Democratically controlled legislature.
But there is a measure in Annapolis that would allow the state attorney general to sue the Trump administration without the governor’s permission.
Hogan dismissed the move as an example of partisanship.
He said, “Well, I think it’s partisanship like the comptroller and I talked about today --it’s unfortunate. They seem to be trying to change a lot of the basic laws of Maryland just because we have a governor of a different party. It’s unfortunate but there’s not much we will be able to do to stop this one.”
