Emily Scarr
State Director, Maryland PIRG; Director, Stop Toxic PFAS Campaign, PIRG
Statement: Gov. Hogan vetoes two public interest priority bills
Media Contacts
Emily Scarr
State Director, Maryland PIRG; Director, Stop Toxic PFAS Campaign, PIRG
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced on Friday that he would veto a set of bills recently passed by the state legislature, including two priorities of Maryland Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and other environmental and voting rights groups. These bills were:
Low Income Energy Efficiency Bill: Sen. Feldman and Del. Charkoudian (SB524/HB108)
Would have set a standard of 1% annual energy savings for low-income households; enabled state-funded home energy performance audits in qualified low-income homes; and funded energy efficiency improvements such as new insulation, better windows, EnergyStar® appliances, LED light bulbs and more.
Improving our Elections’ Systems: Sen. Kagan and Del. Feldmark (SB163/HB862)
Would have updated and improved the voting processes by enabling elections staff to begin processing (not counting) mail-in ballots in advance of election day; requiring precinct- level reporting for all ballots; and enabling voters to correct an error by adding their signature on the ballot envelope if it was left blank.
In response, Maryland PIRG Director Emily Scarr released the following statement:
“It’s unclear why Governor Hogan would veto a bipartisan bill that unanimously approved in the Senate to invest in energy efficiency programs that would help Marylanders avoid both skyrocketing utility bills and a strain on our electric grid. Energy efficiency means lower electricity consumption, which means lower costs for consumers and leads to healthier air and a healthier climate.
“Just as confusing, the governor vetoed an elections’ process bill, despite saying in a public letter that he supports its content.
“In the spirit of strengthening our democracy, Maryland PIRG is disappointed that Governor Hogan has chosen to throw out the baby with the bathwater by ignoring the common ground he has with so many legislators and constituents from both parties. These wrong-headed vetoes will hurt Maryland families, our environment and our democracy. ”
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