logo
With clock ticking, lawmakers still hope to iron out issues on Moore's housing bill

With clock ticking, lawmakers still hope to iron out issues on Moore's housing bill

Yahoo15-03-2025

Gov. Wes Moore's housing legislation aims to pressure counties into more quickly approving housing projects in areas where jobs outnumber available housing units. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Austen R. Adriaens/Air National Guard)
The clock is ticking on Gov. Wes Moore's bill to expedite housing development in the state, a proposal that county officials have warned has substantive issues and will need 'significant' work before they can get behind it.
But nobody's saying it's a lost cause yet.
'There is a lot of interest in this bill. We know we need to invest in housing infrastructure,' Del. Robbyn Lewis (D-Baltimore City) said Friday. 'It's not over until it's over.'
The bill she's talking about it the 'Housing for Jobs Act,' which has both a House and Senate version. The bills look at a region's 'jobs-to-housing' ratio and press local governments to expedite approval of housing projects in those areas where there are 1.5 jobs for every available housing unit.
In areas with such a 'regional housing infrastructure gap,' local governments would be expected to automatically approve new housing developments, unless county officials can prove the project would negatively impact the area. The goal of the bill is to essentially 'default to 'yes' on housing proposals,' Housing Secretary Jake Day said at a recent bill hearing.
Moore — who testified in person on March 4 before both the House Environment and Transportation Committee and the Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee — said the legislation is intended to build off of his housing package last year, which aimed to build the state's housing supply amid an estimated 96,000-unit shortage.
His plan this year will 'give builders greater certainty when it comes to planning and executing projects, and we are taking these steps without heavy-handed preemption,' Moore said in his testimony.
But members of the Maryland Association of Counties have 'serious concerns' with the bill's language and say that it needs major amendments before the association can support it — which it wants to do.
Governor's supplemental budget helps fund disabilities agency by cutting other programs
MACo First Vice President M.C. Keegan-Ayer said at the bill's initial hearing in the Senate on March 4 that the governor's office refused to have a meeting with the association on legislation until after the bill was introduced to committee. When MACo finally saw the bill's language mid-February, it found 'substantive' issues that raise 'serious concerns and … we believe, unintended consequences,' Keegan-Ayer said.
One concern is the legal challenge aspect of the bill, which says developers can sue counties that are not in compliance with the law. Keegan-Ayer said the bill could accidentally 'create perverse incentives' for job growth initiatives.
'If we're bringing in more businesses, if we create new jobs … even while we are trying to build housing as quickly as possible given the interest rates and what the building industry is able to bear, we may be penalized by this bill for having a disproportionate number of jobs in relation to the number of housing units,' Keegan-Ayer said.
Dominic Butchko, MACo's director of intergovernmental relations, said it's like the state 'holding a metaphorical gun to a county's head, saying approve this or you will be sued within a year.'
MACo is also concerned about school density issues. Under the bill, a county could deny a project if the local school and neighboring schools are at or above 100% of capacity. Otherwise, the county would be expected to approve the project, the bill says.
Butchko reiterated that concern at a meeting Monday of the the House Environment and Transportation's Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee, which Lewis chairs.
'We [counties] cannot reset the lines of who can go to what classroom. We sign the check for the school district and that is where that relationship ends,' Butchko said.
'What this provision says is if you have a school district that is at 100%, but you have neighboring school districts that are not at 100%, the county can't deny that project then,' he said. 'You're still going to see that overburdened classroom in that district.'
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
There is an out for counties. They could deny housing proposals if they can show by 'clear and convincing evidence' that a project would negatively impact the community. The bill lists other justifications for denial, including health and safety considerations, inadequate water or wastewater systems, a price tag too high for the county, or conflict with federal or state law, among others.
Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery), who chairs the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, said that he plans to meet with Environment and Transportation Chair Del. Marc Korman (D-Montgomery) and the administration soon to 'assess if there is traction to move' the bill out of committee.
Korman agreed earlier this week that the lack of momentum on the legislation did not mean the bill was down for the count, with crossover day on Monday.
'If you look at last year, the governor's housing bill, we didn't pass that before crossover. It was fine,' Korman said Monday. 'It's important to the governor. We're going to give it due attention and care.'
Committee leaders say that some 'complicated' bills — such as the governor's priority housing legislation — can still be in play, even if they blow past the crossover deadline.
'For some of these bigger bills, crossover is not a major factor,' Feldman said Friday.
Butchko said MACo is 'very interested in cooperating with the state where we can,' but there are 'a lot of gaps' between the bill's intended goal and how the current language would be implemented.
Michael Sanderson, executive director for MACo, said that part of the delay in moving Moore's housing bill is due to the lack of communication between the administration and MACo.
'We were talking in November and January at the concept level. But as for, 'Here's the bill, let's talk about what's in the bill' — we ended up not really having a real exchange on that stuff until the time of the hearing,' Sanderson said Friday. 'It's OK … but it's part of the reason why we're on overtime on this bill, because we didn't get a chance to work through the text of the bill until the middle of February.'
But Sanderson said both sides are talking now.
'I think when they heard the things we were concerned about, I think everyone around the table felt like the deeply held principles aren't really the conflict here. It's the specifics of, 'How do you write this?'' he said.
Despite the serious concerns raised in the committee and subcommittee meetings, Sanderson said MACo is interested in continuing discussions further.
'For what it's worth, process-wise, I think everybody involved has sort of shook hands that this is a bill that has a chance to pass — even if it misses crossover, which it most certainly will,' Sanderson said. 'With normal bills it's like, 'OK those bills are dead' – in this case we're still talking.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Big changes are being proposed for a US food aid program. Here's a breakdown by the numbers
Big changes are being proposed for a US food aid program. Here's a breakdown by the numbers

Associated Press

time27 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Big changes are being proposed for a US food aid program. Here's a breakdown by the numbers

TPresident Donald Trump's plan to cut taxes by trillions of dollars could also trim billions in spending from social safety net programs, including food aid for lower-income people. The proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would make states pick up more of the costs, require several million more recipients to work or lose their benefits, and potentially reduce the amount of food aid people receive in the future. The legislation, which narrowly passed the U.S. House, could undergo further changes in the Senate, where it's currently being debated. Trump wants lawmakers to send the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' to his desk by July 4, when the nation marks the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Here's a look at the food aid program, by the numbers: Year: 2008 The federal aid program formerly known as food stamps was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, on Oct. 1, 2008. The program provides monthly payments for food purchases to low-income residents generally earning less than $1,632 monthly for individuals, or $3,380 monthly for a household of four. The nation's first experiment with food stamps began in 1939. But the modern version of the program dates to 1979, when a change in federal law took effect eliminating a requirement that participants purchase food stamps. There currently is no cost to people participating in the program. Number: 42 million A little over 42 million people nationwide received SNAP benefits in February, the latest month for which figures are available. That's roughly one out of every eight people in the county. Participation is down from a peak average of 47.6 million people during the 2013 federal fiscal year. Often, more than one person in a household is eligible for food aid. As of February, nearly 22.5 million households were enrolled SNAP, receiving an average monthly household benefit of $353. Dollars: $295 billion Legislation passed by the House is projected to cut about $295 billion of federal spending from SNAP over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. A little more than half of those federal savings would come by shifting costs to states, which administer SNAP. Nearly one-third of those savings would come by expanding a work requirement for some SNAP participants, which the CBO assumes would force some people off the rolls. Additional money would be saved by eliminating SNAP benefits for between 120,000 and 250,000 immigrants legally in the U.S. who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents. Another provision in the legislation would cap the annual inflationary growth in food benefits. As a result, the CBO estimates that the average monthly food benefit would be about $15 lower than it otherwise would have been by 2034. Ages: 7 and 55-64 To receive SNAP benefits, current law says adults ages 18 through 54 who are physically and mentally able and don't have dependents would need to work, volunteer or participate in training programs for at least 80 hours a month. Those who don't do so are limited to just three months of benefits in a three-year period. The legislation that passed the House would expand work requirements to those ages 55 through 64. It also would extend work requirements to some parents without children younger than age 7. And it would limit the ability of states to waive work requirements in areas that lack sufficient jobs. The combined effect of those changes is projected by the CBO to reduce SNAP participation by a monthly average of 3.2 million people. Percentages: 5% - 25% The federal government currently splits the administrative costs of SNAP with states but covers the full cost of food benefits. Under the legislation, states would have to cover three-fourths of the administrative costs. States also would have to pay a portion of the food benefits starting with the 2028 fiscal year. All states would be required to pay at least 5% of the food aid benefits, and could pay more depending on how often they make mistakes with people's payments. States that had payment error rates between 6-8% in the most recent federal fiscal year for which data is available would have to cover 15% of the food costs. States with error rates between 8-10% would have to cover 20% of the food benefits, and those with error rates greater than 10% would have to cover 25% of the food costs. Many states could get hit with higher costs. The national error rate stood at 11.7% in the 2023 fiscal year, and just three states — Idaho, South Dakota and Vermont — had error rates below 5%. But the 2023 figures are unlikely to serve as the base year, so the exact costs to states remains unclear. As a result of the cost shift, the CBO assumes that some states would reduce or eliminate benefits for people. Margin: 1 House Resolution 1, containing the SNAP changes and tax cuts, passed the House last month by a margin of just one vote — 215-214. A vote also could be close in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats. Democrats did not support the bill in the House and are unlikely to do so in the Senate. Some Republican senators have expressed reservations about proposed cuts to food aid and Medicaid and the potential impact of the bill on the federal deficit. GOP Senate leaders may have to make some changes to the bill to ensure enough support to pass it.

‘We're living in the dumbest timeline' — Gov. Cox comments on SLC Sego pride flags
‘We're living in the dumbest timeline' — Gov. Cox comments on SLC Sego pride flags

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

‘We're living in the dumbest timeline' — Gov. Cox comments on SLC Sego pride flags

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Governor Cox commented on Salt Lake City's Sego pride flags in his monthly press conference Tuesday, calling them and the Utah law that banned pride and other unofficial flags 'dumb.' Governor Cox was asked if he supported the official flags that Salt Lake City adopted in response to Utah , the law that from being displayed on government property and at public schools. Previously, Cox called H.B. 77 the . Cox allowed the law to go into effect without his signature, and he did not veto the bill because it passed with a veto-proof majority. 'I don't support [the bill]. They're dumb flags, and it was a dumb bill,' Cox said. He clarified that he was referring to the Sego pride flags in Salt Lake City. Gov. Cox's pick to head new state records office gets OK from Senate panel despite criticism In response to H.B. 77, Salt Lake City adopted pride and Juneteenth designs as official flags for the city in . These flags allow the city to circumvent the law banning pride flags and other unofficial flags because they are now official city flags. The Sego Celebration, Belonging, and Visibility flags are meant to honor Juneteenth and Black and African American residents, LGBTQIA residents, and transgender residents respectively. 'It's ridiculous. I feel bad for the Japanese Americans. I feel bad for the Polynesian Americans… I mean, who are we leaving out here?' Cox said. 'I'm sure they [Salt Lake City Council] feel great that they got around this dumb law, and they did it with dumb flags. The whole thing's dumb.' Cox offered his thoughts on what both the state and cities should do instead of squabbling over pride flags. 'We should raise the American flag, and let's unify around that. It's a great flag, represents everyone, and the legislature doesn't need to be in everybody's business all the time,' he said. 'We're living in the dumbest timeline right now, that's all I can say,' Cox concluded. RSL hoping to make a run in second half of season Utah lawmakers oppose AI regulation in Trump's 'Big, beautiful bill' 'Somebody has to stop it:' Gov. Cox defends Trump's decision to deploy troops to LA 'We're living in the dumbest timeline' — Gov. Cox comments on SLC Sego pride flags Calif. governor asks court to block Trump administration from using troops in immigration raids Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Utah lawmakers oppose AI regulation in Trump's ‘Big, beautiful bill'
Utah lawmakers oppose AI regulation in Trump's ‘Big, beautiful bill'

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Utah lawmakers oppose AI regulation in Trump's ‘Big, beautiful bill'

SALT LAKE CITY () — Utah Lawmakers have signed a letter opposing specific measures related to artificial intelligence in President Donald Trump's In a letter addressed to Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Senator John Curtis (R-Utah), state lawmakers say they are 'concerned with the proposed ten-year moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence regulation.' According to , initially the bill was and block dozens of states from enforcing preexisting AI regulations and oversight structures in any way. But on June 5, the Senate Commerce Committee altered the text on the bill. The new version would only require states not to regulate AI if they want access to federal broadband funding. The bill allocates $500 million over the next 10 years to modernize government systems with the help of AI and automation technologies. In a letter signed by nearly 50 lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Schultz (R-Hooper) and Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore (R-Draper), they claim the provision would hinder Utah's nationally recognized efforts 'to strike the right balance between innovation and consumer protection.' They add that since Utah to establish an Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, followed by the launch of an AI learning Lab, Lawmakers say these initiatives 'allow Utah to encourage responsible AI development, empower industry leaders and shield consumers from real-world harms, all without stifling innovation.' According to , a centerpiece of the legislation is making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent — which nonpartisan scorers and think tanks estimate would cost trillions of dollars over the next decade. Utah taxpayers may take a hit if 2017 cuts expire The bill also includes a proposal that would raise the cap for the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, which would allow taxpayers — especially those in higher-tax blue states — to deduct more of their regional taxes from their federal tax bill. The bill also has major reforms to Medicaid, estimated to lead to millions of people losing coverage by 2034. Trump is pushing Congress, where Republicans have majority control, to send the final product to his desk to become law by the Fourth of July. RSL hoping to make a run in second half of season Utah lawmakers oppose AI regulation in Trump's 'Big, beautiful bill' 'Somebody has to stop it:' Gov. Cox defends Trump's decision to deploy troops to LA 'We're living in the dumbest timeline' — Gov. Cox comments on SLC Sego pride flags Calif. governor asks court to block Trump administration from using troops in immigration raids Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store