Message From Governor Larry Hogan
Dear Friend,
With just 39 days left in the 2017 Legislative Session, we have been working hard on behalf of all Marylanders across the state.
Our robust legislative agenda of over thirty proposals to continue Changing Maryland for the Better is working its way through the General Assembly and I am confident we will make significant progress this session.
One of the issues at the top of our agenda is heroin and opioid use. Despite our efforts for the past two years, heroin and opioid-related deaths are on the rise here in Maryland and across the country. We need to treat this crisis the way we would treat any other emergency. That is why I declared a State of Emergency and additional funding to combat this epidemic. Find more information about our action below.
The First Lady and I had also the opportunity to welcome veterans with Warrior Events to Government House, pictured above. Warrior Events’ sole purpose is to enrich the lives of those wounded while serving our country as well as the lives of their family members. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have put their lives on the line for their communities and country.
Read on below for some of the latest information from our administration, and stay tuned to future newsletters for a firsthand look at the progress we are making in Maryland for all our citizens.
Your Governor,
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Heroin and Opioid Crisis – Declaring a State of Emergency
On March 1, Governor Larry Hogan signed an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in response to the heroin, opioid, and fentanyl crisis ravaging communities in Maryland and across the country. This declaration activates the governor’s emergency management authority and enables increased and more rapid coordination between the state and local jurisdictions. The governor, along with Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, also announced $50 million in new funding to address the crisis, as well as the appointment of the governor’s senior emergency management advisor Clay Stamp to lead the state’s coordinated effort to combat the crisis.
“We need to treat this crisis the exact same way we would treat any other state emergency. With this continuing threat increasing at such an alarming rate, we must allow for rapid coordination with our state and local emergency teams,” said Governor Hogan. “We must cut through the red tape so that we are empowering the important work being done in our many state agencies and at the local level all across our state. This is about taking an all-hands-on-deck approach so that together we can save the lives of thousands of Marylanders.”
Visit bit.do/MDHeroinStateofEmergency to learn more about the State of Emergency and additional funding.
Governor Hogan announces he will declare a State of Emergency in response to the rapidly growing heroin and opioid crisis.
Lower Eastern Shore – Funding Initiatives
During a day-long visit to the Eastern Shore, Governor Hogan announced state funding for Lower Eastern Shore initiatives at a press conference at the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, including $1 million for Salisbury’s Downtown Revitalization Plan, as well as nearly $29 million for projects across Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties.
“I am pleased to announce that our administration is investing $1 million for the Downtown Revitalization Plan to continue bringing much-needed improvements to one of our most beloved Eastern Shore communities,” said Governor Hogan. “This project is a terrific example of how state and local governments can work together with the private sector to make smart investments that spur redevelopment, economic growth, and job creation.”
For more details about all of the projects funded, visit bit.do/LowerEasternShoreInitiatives.
Before It’s Too Late – Combating the Heroin Epidemic
Governor Hogan released a statewide public service announcement (PSA) urging parents to discuss the risks of heroin and opioid abuse with their children. The 30- and 60-second PSAs, titled “Before It’s Too Late,” feature actor Michael Kelly, star of an award-winning television series filmed in Maryland.
To see the 60-second video, click here.
“Addressing this crisis that is ravaging communities across Maryland and the country has been and will continue to be a top priority of our administration,” said Governor Hogan. “This epidemic affects people of all walks of life, and opioid abuse is becoming more and more common among our youth. It is critical that parents talk to their children about the dangers of heroin and opioid abuse – before it’s too late. I would like to thank Mr. Kelly for partnering with us to raise awareness of this important issue.”
The PSA will run on local news stations and public access channels across the state. Visit bit.do/MDHeroinPSAs to view and download the videos.
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National Governors Association – Fighting for Maryland
“We had a productive four days in Washington with the National Governors Association. I had the opportunity to participate in multiple meetings and briefings with the nation’s governors of both parties with the President, the Vice President, and many members of the Cabinet to discuss the interests and concerns of the states.
I had discussions with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, as well as other cabinet members and senior White House officials regarding particular concerns to Maryland.
We discussed the new FBI headquarters, which we hope to bring to Maryland, as well as critical transportation and infrastructure projects like expanding the Howard Street Tunnel for the Port of Baltimore expansion.
I also continued to advocate for our health care priorities, including increased federal funding to combat the opioid and heroin epidemic and, most importantly, ensuring that Maryland has a strong voice in the debate occurring around the Affordable Care Act.
Just as I said when I called a meeting in Annapolis with all of Maryland’s federal representatives earlier this month, we need to work to ensure that any reform and repairs to the ACA are done in a bipartisan, common sense way.
I appreciate the administration for recognizing the important role that governors play fighting for the people in our states.” -Governor Hogan
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