May 11th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

As costs have increased and revenue streams have been decimated for local governments amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, Congressman David Trone (MD-06) brought together 61 elected leaders from every county in Maryland’s Sixth District to urge Congressional leadership to provide funding for local governments in the next stimulus package.

The letter cites increased costs for local governments from the pandemic, including expansion of emergency services, increased telework costs, and the need to provide PPE for workers. The officials also cite the decline in revenue from property and local income taxes and parking and hotel occupancy fees. 

Included with the letter are testimonials from Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman and Hancock Mayor Ralph Salvagno, M.D. about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on local funding in their jurisdictions.

“I’ve heard directly from local governments across Maryland that they’ve been dramatically hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and that they need support from the federal government,” said Congressman Trone. “Local governments provide the emergency services and resources that are instrumental to the health and safety of our communities, and they cannot weather this crisis alone. I want to commend the local governments from across Maryland’s 6th District for coming together across party lines to urge leadership in Congress to prioritize local government funding.”

Congressman Trone sits on the Joint Economic Committee, which last month released a report about the Massive Aid to State and Local Governments Needed to Slow Economic Damage caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Local elected officials from every county in Maryland’s Sixth District joined in signing the letter, including: 

Allegany County Elected Officials

• Jake Shade, President, Board of Commissioners, Allegany County
• Raymond Morriss, Mayor, City of Cumberland
• Laurie Marchini, Councilmember, City of Cumberland
• Richard Cioni, Councilmember, City of Cumberland
• Eugene Frazier, Councilmember, City of Cumberland
• George Edwards, Maryland State Senator, District 1
• Mike McKay, Maryland State Delegate, District 1C

Garrett County Elected Officials

• Paul C. Edwards, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Garrett County
• Peggy Jamison, Mayor, Town of Oakland 
• Richard Carlson, Mayor, Town of Accident
• Donald Dawson, Mayor, Town of Deer Park 
• Spencer Schlosnagle , Mayor, Town of Friendsville
• Mark Diehl, Mayor, Town of Grantsville 
• Robert Reckart, Mayor, Town of Kitzmiller
• Carolyn Corley, Mayor, Town of Loch Lynn Heights 
• Wendell Beitzel, Maryland State Delegate, District 1A 

Washington County Elected Officials

• Jeff Cline, President, Board of Commissioners, Washington County
• Cort Meinelschmidt, Commissioner, Board of Commissioners, Washington County
• Robert E. Bruchey, II, Mayor, City of Hagerstown
• Emily Keller, Councilmember, City of Hagerstown 
• Austin Heffernan, Councilmember, City of Hagerstown 
• Shelley McIntire, Councilmember, City of Hagerstown 
• Ralph Salvagno, M.D., Mayor, Town of Hancock
• William Green Mayor, Town of Williamsport

 

You can see a copy of the letter here.