The Maryland General Assembly opened yesterday with many looking to the issues such as the minimum wage and legalizing marijuana.
But for the Eastern Shore delegation it was the economy and agriculture that took top billing.
Delegates Addie Eckardt, Mike McDermott and Jeanie Haddaway-Riccio all backed requiring the Maryland Department of Agriculture to publish an economic analysis of the Phosphorus Management program aimed at protecting the Chesapeake Bay from runoff.
The proposal was withdrawn last fall by the agriculture department after facing strong opposition from farmers and chicken growers.
McDermott told the Salisbury Daily Times that if a fiscal impact study cannot be produced then the program should not be implemented.
