CUMBERLAND — In terms of funding consideration, plans for a local river park project will take a backseat to flood victims in the Georges Creek area, state Sen. Mike McKay said.
McKay, who represents Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties and is a candidate for reelection next year, was among speakers at a pre-legislative breakfast at Rocky Gap Casino Resort on Friday.
Roughly 45 people were at the event, hosted by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.
When asked about plans for a whitewater attraction on the Potomac River, McKay said the delegation will soon discuss the issue, but added that his focus will be local folks left devastated by the May 13 flood.
“As much as I want tourism … it’s not gonna be a priority on my part when I have people hurting in Allegany County,” he said.
The flash flood caused $33 million in damage along Georges Creek, according to Gov. Wes Moore’s office.
The state requested but was denied a presidential disaster declaration and help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
McKay said a Georges Creek task force prepared a report, which includes the possibility of using $20 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, to be presented to legislators.
Former Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine will meet with state representatives to provide information about the flood, McKay said.
McKay spoke of various topics, including possible use of speed cameras to slow tractor-trailer drivers on Interstate 68, and his opposition to a proposed women’s pre-release center to help inmates transition from prison to mainstream society.
“This is going to cost million and millions,” he said, adding that the facility would benefit too few women.
“These are your tax dollars.”
McKay said legislators will face challenges and “tensions ahead” over spending decisions for areas such as education and housing.
Dels. Jim Hinebaugh and House Minority Leader Jason Buckel were also featured speakers at the event.
Hinebaugh said legislators will likely have to cut services and shift expenses to county governments in light of the state’s nearly $1.5 billion deficit.
Energy availability will be another “hot issue,” he said.
“We’re doing a lot of things to drive the (electricity) demand up,” Hinebaugh said, adding that he believes small modular nuclear reactors could solve the energy problem.
Buckel thanked Hinebaugh, who will retire after this session, for his work as a delegate.
“Jim has been a fantastic partner,” Buckel said.
Buckel said he was set to meet with House Speaker Adrienne Jones’ chief of staff this week when he learned plans had changed.
Jones, D-Baltimore County, the first Black legislator and woman in the position, announced her resignation via statement Thursday.
“Things kind of proceeded rapidly,” Buckel said.
He said Jones had been selected by “Democrat friends” as a “compromise candidate.”
The process was “not very well planned,” Buckel said.
He said Moore “for political reasons” wants to consider mid-cycle redistricting of representative maps.
“I disagree with it,” Buckel said.
When asked if Maryland’s minimum wage could reach $25 per hour in the near future, Buckel said the idea has been suggested.
However, “Maryland is not California,” he said. “They are nuts.”