The Howard County state delegation snagged close to $1 million in state money this session for local projects.
“We did very well with our bond bills,” said Del. Shane Pendergrass, D-District 13, and chair of the Howard County delegation.
“You go into the process with the things you know you need, but also knowing there is a finite amount of money to be shared by all the counties in the state.”
Although the requests were not fully funded in the state appropriations bill, Howard got “better than our fair share,” she said.
The Howard delegation requested $500,000 for the planning and construction of each project and received:
» $375,000 for Blandair Regional Park in Columbia
» $350,000 for Robinson Nature Center in Columbia
» $200,000 for North Laurel Community Center
It also received $50,000 of the requested $250,000 for enhancements to Norbel School, a private school in Elkridge for learning-disabled students.
A $500,000 request for the construction of a parking garage for historic Main Street in Ellicott City was not granted. This money, requested for three years, was not an administration top priority, Pendergrass said.
Del. Gail Bates, R-District 9A, who pushed for the funds, said she will likely try again next year.
County spokesman Kevin Enright said, “County Executive [Ken] Ulman was pleased with the funding we received from state bond money, especially in light of the current fiscal situation statewide.”
State lawmakers also passed the following local measures:
» A bill granting residents a property tax credit for land owned jointly with Housing Commission
» A bill changing the date Howard files its annual financial report from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1
» A bill granting certain voting rights to the student school board member
