Over the past month, I’ve signed a number of key pieces of legislation, including reforms to the UMMS Board, increasing accountability and transparency of the Board of Regents to the University System of Maryland, Grace’s Law 2.0, and legislation that increased penalties for human trafficking. You can read more about some of these bills below.
We lost a dedicated public servant last month, the 106th Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, Michael Erin Busch. Few have served Maryland with as much passion and dedication as he did, and he left Maryland a better place than when he found it.
Governor Hogan Signs Major Expansion of Opportunity Zone Initiative
Governor Larry Hogan signed major legislation to advance one of his top priorities: bringing jobs and businesses to underserved communities. Senate Bill 581 extends benefits under the Hogan administration’s landmark More Jobs For Marylanders program to the state’s 149 Opportunity Zones. The governor highlighted this initiative in his State of the State address.
“We are pleased to enact this major legislation to help foster an environment of economic opportunity, create thousands of jobs, and revitalize the Maryland communities that need our help the most,” said Governor Hogan. “We will supercharge investment and make Maryland’s 149 Opportunity Zones the most competitive ones in America.”
Governor Hogan Signs Sweeping Reforms of UMMS Board Into Law
Governor Larry Hogan signed major legislation to completely overhaul the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) board of directors, a swift response to revelations of wrongdoing and corruption that have prompted a public outcry. The legislation removes the members of the board, bars no-bid contracts for UMMS board members, and requires a full, independent audit.
House Bill 1428, which was sponsored by the late Speaker Michael Busch, is one of 195 bills the governor signed on April 18 alongside Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones.
“Today, we are enacting sweeping changes to bring much-needed reforms and transparency to the University of Maryland Medical System board,” said Governor Hogan. “UMMS is an institution near and dear to the hearts of many Marylanders, myself included. There cannot even be the appearance of impropriety from those connected with the hospital system, especially in positions of such importance.”
Governor Hogan Signs Important Crime and Public Safety Measures Into Law
Governor Larry Hogan signed into law several important measures to improve public safety. These are among 195 bills the governor signed on April 18 alongside Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones.
“We are very proud to enact these critical public safety measures to continue to make our state safer,” said Governor Hogan. “One of my most important responsibilities is to protect Maryland citizens, and these common sense measures will help us defend the most vulnerable among us and reduce the number and prevent future victims of crime.”
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was Saturday, April 27, 2019
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was Saturday, April 27, 2019. All throughout Maryland, communities hosted collections from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“This is a great opportunity for Marylanders to take a look through their medicine cabinets and collect old and unused prescription drugs,” said Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford. “Helping to combat the opioid epidemic in Maryland doesn’t have to stop on Saturday. There also are plenty of drug take back locations open all year long, like our own Maryland State Police barracks.”
Maryland is Open for Business
Kite, a California-based biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative cancer immunotherapies, announced plans to open a new biologics manufacturing facility in Frederick County that will produce innovative cell therapies for people with cancer. A Gilead company, Kite will open the new facility on a 20-acre site in Urbana with plans to create significant job opportunities.
“We are excited to welcome Kite and all of the new life sciences jobs the company will bring to Maryland,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our highly-educated workforce, proximity to many federal agencies and labs, and critical mass of life sciences companies and resources makes our state the ideal place for Kite to continue its life-saving work developing transformative cancer treatments.”
#RutherFact
The Maryland Blue Crab Season officially began this past month! Did you know the blue crab was officially designated as Maryland’s state crustacean in 1989? Blue crab is a staple in Maryland cuisine and can be prepared in hundreds of different ways – from steamed crabs to softshells, crabcakes, crab dip and crab pretzels, crab soup, even crab pizza!
Photo Release: Governor Hogan Celebrates Grand Opening of Paragon Bioservices’ Biomanufacturing Facility
Governor Larry Hogan celebrated the grand opening of Paragon Bioservices’ new 200,000-square-foot, cutting-edge biomanufacturing facility near Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.
“We are experiencing an incredible economic resurgence, and one of the highlights is seeing homegrown Maryland businesses like Paragon Bioservices continue to invest and expand their footprint right here in our state,” said Governor Hogan. “We are pleased to support the continued growth of this incredible company and their remarkable life-saving work through the More Jobs for Marylanders program. Our state is proud to have a global reputation as a leading force in biohealth innovations, and today is further proof that we are just getting started.”
Video Highlights
Ribbon Cutting: Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering
