April 1, 2024

The impact of the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge continues to ripple across Baltimore City, the State, and global supply chains. In a matter of minutes, the 47-year-old landmark dissolved before our eyes, tragically taking with it the lives of six construction workers. I am deeply grateful to the countless first responders who rushed to the scene to lend aid, especially those who risked their own lives to dive beneath the frigid fast-moving water in an effort to rescue the fallen men.

In true Baltimore fashion, communities have quickly come together to provide vital support and assistance to the families. The City of Baltimore has established the Baltimore Immigrant Community Fund: Key Bridge Emergency Response. Money raised will be distributed to the families of those impacted. If you would like to donate, you can do so here. Organizations and individuals looking to make one-time or ongoing donations should contact Rachel Donegan, director of partnerships, at rachel@baltimorecivicfund.org.

The massive cleanup operation began in earnest this weekend, led by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, and Maryland State Police. It will remain an all-hands-on-deck, 24-hour-a-day effort. Clearing out the major pieces of the bridge will allow for an auxiliary channel to enable more salvage apparatus to enter the port, and could eventually allow a small amount of port traffic.

Thousands of workers and their families rely on the Port of Baltimore to put food on their table and pay their bills. Approximately 15,000 direct jobs in Maryland are generated by port activity and approximately 150,000 other jobs are indirectly related to operations there. As the General Assembly, we must step up to meet this moment. People are rightfully concerned about the impact this will have on their businesses and incomes, and their ability to provide for their families.

Last week, my 46th Legislative District colleague, Delegate Luke Clippinger, Senator Johnny Ray Salling, who also represents the Key Bridge, and I introduced emergency legislation to provide meaningful support for workers and small businesses impacted by the closure of the port. I cannot thank our incredible Department of Legislative Services team enough for drafting the Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade (PORT) Act in record time, and our colleagues in the legislature for suspending the rules for a late introduction that recognizes the urgency of the situation.

The PORT Act will help workers and businesses impacted by the closure by enabling Governor Moore’s Administration to tap into the State’s Rainy Day Fund to scale up targeted grant programs. Specifically, the PORT Act will allow the Maryland Departments of Commerce and Labor to:

• Support workers not covered by our unemployment insurance system;

• Ensure impacted businesses can retain their workforce; and

• Incentivize companies to return to the Port after it reopens.

The Port of Baltimore will come back stronger than before after we emerge from this crisis and it is vital that we retain the workforce and business infrastructure to support its operations when reopening takes place. In the meantime, it is critical that we provide proactive support for those impacted through no fault of their own.

It’s hard to believe that the General Assembly is in the last week of our 2024 Legislative Session. There is nothing more important than the Senate of Maryland and House of Delegates reaching a compromise on the State’s FY25 Operating Budget, our main constitutional responsibility each year. As the conference committee finishes those negotiations in the coming days, we remain laser-focused on also advancing policy that moves our State forward. I am confident we will reach an agreement in the coming days that accounts for the extraordinary uncertainty that the Key Bridge's collapse has had on our communities.

Some highlights of bills that have already passed, or are on the cusp of doing so are:

• The Freedom to Read Act to address the scourge of attempted book bans in our school and public libraries;

• Senate Bill 1041 to allow local breweries, wineries, and distilleries to deliver their products directly to consumers, and lift the cap on their taproom sales for off-premises consumption; 

• The Access to Care Act to require the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to seek a waiver from the federal government so all Maryland residents can purchase health insurance through the Exchange;

• Senate Bill 442 to enhance enforcement mechanisms available to law enforcement against those engaging in illegal street racing and exhibition driving;

• The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act to require that employers include a pay range in job postings to increase transparency and encourage wage parity; and

• Senate Bill 527 to ensure contraceptives are accessible at all Maryland community colleges by August 2025.

Businesses and workers impacted by the Key Bridge's collapse can now apply for relief through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Maryland Department of Labor (MDOL). The SBA has made up to $2 million in low-interest loans available to each Maryland small business who needs help meeting financial obligations because of the disaster. MDOL has also created an unemployment insurance hotline for workers affected by the Key Bridge collapse. Individuals can apply by calling (667) 930-5989 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, or filing online in BEACON.

Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Orioles to Baltimore native David Rubenstein just in time for Opening Day at Camden Yards last week. The deal values the franchise at $1.725 billion and includes the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, which broadcasts Orioles and Nationals games. Let's go O’s!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that $206 million in funding will be allocated toward projects aimed at continuing the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The historic levels of funding reflect the Biden Administration’s increased investments in environmental programs and infrastructure projects.

The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is considering the affordability of eight name-brand prescription drugs which treat a variety of diseases, including diabetes, HIV, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The PDAB is charged with ensuring consumers can access affordable prescription medications.

If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email, bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us, or by phone, 410-841-3600.