March 21st, 2023 by WCBC Radio

A bill introduced by Delegate Jason Buckel, and supported by State Senator Mike McKay,  will amend the decision making process for allocations coming from the Senator George C. Edwards Fund. That fund was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022 and is allocating $50 million for economic development in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties.  Under the original legislation, the  final decision of funding would be made by a review board consisting of state representatives and officials from all three counties, including Senator Edwards and Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss. Buckel’s bill creates a vetting board and a voting board and establishes an executive director for those boards. Mayor Morriss is no longer on the board. Some of those close to the process told WCBC News private that this appears to be nothing more than a power grab on the part Buckel and Mckay. In a recent interview with WCBC News Buckel lamented that the delegation has little influence in local economic development matters…

Senate Edwards told WCBC News that he was caught someone off guard by the amended bill- and expressed regret that such changes were being implemented as the process was just getting underway…