20071030 The Green Fund

The Green Fund

October 30, 2007

In reading as much as I can about the Special Session, I came across a blog on the Baltimore Sun’s web site: General Assembly: Special Session – Insight and analysis from the special session of the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis from Sun reporters Andy Green, Jim Drew, Laura Smitherman, Brad Olson, Kelly Brewington and Greg Garland.

In a post published today, there is a reference to “The Green Fund:”

Tuned in to radio ad

October 30, 2007

A coalition of environmental groups plan to launch a weeklong radio ad starting tomorrow in the Baltimore and Washington regions, urging the Maryland General Assembly to support the latest version of the Green Fund.

The proposed fund would assess a fee on commercial and industrial properties to raise an estimated $85 million a year to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Groups including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the League of Conservation Voters had hoped that O’Malley would include the proposal in his plan to eliminate the projected $1.7 billion budget shortfall in next years budget, but he didn't. Nonetheless, the House Environmental Committee has a hearing scheduled Friday on the matter.

(Reported by Laura Smitherman) Posted by Mary Hartney on October 30, 2007 11:58 AM

I searched the Baltimore Sun’s web site and the only previous reference I found for “The Green Fund” is from October 12, 2007, “Waterways fee is shaky” by Phillip McGowan Baltimore Sun. But this is an initiative in Anne Arundel County:

A proposal by Anne Arundel's chief executive to create a fee to repair damaged waterways might be headed for legislative purgatory, with Republicans and Democrats alike arguing that it would overburden taxpayers, curb affordable housing and put new retail centers at a competitive disadvantage.

"Right now, it's unclear if the SMART fund is even going to pass," County Councilman Josh Cohen, an Annapolis Democrat, said of the Stormwater Management and Restoration of Tributaries fund.

[…]

A public hearing on Leopold's proposal is set for Monday, and a vote could occur that night. But some council members who are lining up against it said they want to postpone a vote until next year, after the General Assembly weighs a statewide fee on new development to restore the Chesapeake Bay.

Known as the "Green Fund," it could generate $130 million a year for restoration projects.

One of my editors has asked me to look into a column on “The Green Fund.” I’ve got a lot more research to do – but meanwhile I was hoping that a reader might know some information and insight?

Thanks.

Kevin kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com