Keeping a promise is a hallmark trait of any politician. Governor Hogan has moved swiftly and decisively in keeping his campaign vow to address the phosphate (chicken manure) issue which is critical to the state economy, and indeed a way of life, especially on the Eastern Shore.
The Governor has, in just a month in office, announced revised regulations which appear acceptable to both agricultural interests and environmental advocates. Apparently, compromise works.
The Governor has also just announced his plan to attack the serious problem of heroin use and distribution, in Maryland. Local officials all over the state have informed the Governor that this issue has become a major problem in their jurisdictions.
On the Eastern Shore, it appears that Route 301 has become a major drug trafficking route. Due to its location, this highway is a major thoroughfare where local dealers purchase their supplies from large metropolitan dealers for redistribution and sale in a number of towns and counties on the Eastern Shore.
The chicken litter or phosphate problem has arisen due to the use of chicken litter as fertilizer for Eastern Shore fields. For years, this has been a significant problem since regulations primarily concerning potential hazards to the Chesapeake Bay from ground runoff were promulgated just as the O’Malley administration was winding down.
During the recent campaign and gubernatorial election, now Governor Hogan made this issue one of the main planks of his platform. His halting of the implementation of the rules proposed by the former Governor and Annapolis bureaucrats was a first step to making changes to the onerous regulations foisted on the farmers of the Eastern Shore.
More recently, Governor Hogan announced amended regulations which seem less burdensome and acceptable.
As perhaps expected, the state’s largest newspaper is presuming to tell the agriculture community what is best for them, chastising the Governor for not going far enough in his proposed changes to the PMT rules.
Gren Whitman says
With Mr. Hall’s GOP leanings on full display, should be read with super-sized salt shaker at hand…
Gerald Maynes says
Sour Grapes Perhaps? Mr Hogan is keeping his promises a rare trait in a politician, You may not like what he stands for but if you are a fair minded person, you have to admire that he is keeping his word.
Cheer Up, in four years you get to vote for the liberal of your choice, and Mr Fletcher gets to vote for his conservative. That’s what makes America a wonderful place.