–photo courtesy of Gov. Wes Moore-
Members of the Maryland General Assembly passed the Maryland Protecting Opportunities Regional Trade (PORT Act) on Monday and the bill was signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday.
These bill will help assist businesses that are hurt by the Key Bridge collapse and establish a scholarship program to a dependent or a surviving spouse of a fallen transportation worker.
The bill was cosponsored by Senate President Furgenson and Sen. Johnny Ray Salling and Delegates Luke Clippinger, Mark Edelson, Robbyn Lewis, Bob Long and Delegate Ric Metzgar.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, along with Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and Anne Arundel County Executive Stuart Pittman released a statement
“In the days since the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, we have seen leaders from every level of government, members of the business community, and residents from across Maryland band together to support the families of the victims and work in unparalleled partnership to address the significant economic impacts of this disaster.
We applaud the passage of the bipartisan Maryland PORT Act which will provide much-needed relief for thousands of Maryland’s working families directly impacted by the closure of the Port of Baltimore.
“The Port continues to play a critical role in our state’s – and our nation’s – economy. Last year alone, the Port drove approximately $3.3 billion in annual personal income and supported over 150,000 Maryland jobs linked to its operations. We must recognize that the full impact of the Port’s closure on the lives of our neighbors is immeasurable.
We thank the sponsors of this effort – Senate President Senator Bill Ferguson, Senator Johnny Ray Salling, Delegate Luke Clippinger, Delegate Mark Edelson, Delegate Robbyn Lewis, Delegate Bob Long, and Delegate Ric Metzgar – and the entire General Assembly for their swift action in passing this legislation and we look forward to Governor Wes Moore signing it into law.
“We continue to thank the Biden-Harris Administration, the Moore-Miller Administration, and all those who have worked around-the-clock to deploy resources and support our residents amid this unfathomable crisis.
Moving forward, we will continue to do all we can to support efforts to reopen the Port of Baltimore as quickly and safely as possible and ensure that we can get through this challenging moment together.”
