The Maryland General Assembly Wednesday overrode Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s veto of a transportation bill creating a Citizens Advisory Council for the proposedRed Line project, a mass transit initiative that would link Western Baltimore County with downtown Baltimore.
Called to a special session to deal with the Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. rate crisis, state legislators took the opportunity to override Ehrlich?s veto during the regular session.
Senate Bill 873, supported by dozens of community organizations, local development associations, and the 600-member Maryland Retailers Association, will supersede the governor?s appointed advisory council, mandated by an executive order following his veto during the General Assembly?s regular session.
“This project is moving forward, and this bill will create a community partnership with the project,” said Nate Payer of the Transit Riders Action Council of Metropolitan Baltimore. “This way the appointments to the advisory will be from multiple jurisdictions, include input from different politicians, different governmental agencies, make it more bipartisan and bring a broader range of opinion to the discussion.”
Still under consideration is the makeup and alignment of the proposed Red Line and whether it will be an exclusively aboveground light rail, a light rail with a tunnels through the downtown corridor, or include a bus system with tunnels in the city. A heavy rail subway system is not being studied ? another reason some mass transit activists want a voice in the process.
“This is late in the game, but at least now the communities affected will have a seat at the table,” said Paul Warren, Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association vice president.
The legislation, sponsored by Baltimore City state Sen. Verna Jones, a Senate public safety, transportation, and environment subcommittee member, authorizes a Citizens Advisory Council of 15 members, including five appointed by the president of the Senate, and another five appointed by the speaker of the House of Delegates. These 10 members must be business owners,residents, service providers or workers in the Red Line corridor and are to be appointed in consultation with the members of the Baltimore City Delegation of the General Assembly.
Additional members will represent Mayor Martin O?Malley?s office, the governor?s office, Baltimore County and government transportation agencies.
