On January 28, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 28 – Constitutional Amendment – Form of County Government – Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule.
This bill would repeal Maryland’s historic reliance on self-determination by county residents and instead mandate that every county conforms to a single-government structure – a full two-branch charter government.
“The voters of Maryland, in each county, have the say here,” said Mr. Sanderson, “that’s the consensus across the country, and should remain the consensus here in Maryland.”
Under HB 28, were it enacted and approved by the voters statewide, this local self-determination would be fully eclipsed. The views of voters in some jurisdictions would, in effect, override the preferences of those in other jurisdictions, e.g. Garrett County voters might vote “no” but would be compelled to change their local structure due to votes in from other regions of the state.
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