Coronavirus Relief: Hogan Urges Biden To Consider MD's Priorities

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Pass coronavirus relief. Expand infrastructure. Protect the bay.

That's what Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) asked of President-elect Joe Biden (D). Hogan wrote to Biden's transition team last Monday, asking the new federal officials to consider Maryland's priorities.

Hogan's top request, another coronavirus aid package, has been on his wish list for months. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security Act in March, delivering trillions to struggling citizens, businesses and local governments.

The CARES Act helped 81,000 Maryland businesses, but Hogan said that wasn't enough. Earlier this month, the governor wrote to Maryland's congressional delegation, urging them to push another stimulus package.

The House of Representatives passed a $2.2 trillion relief deal in October. The Democrat-sponsored legislation is not expected to pass the Republican-controlled Senate, however.

Congress reconvened Monday, hoping to agree on another wave of aid before the holiday break. Both President Trump (R) and Biden have called on lawmakers to compromise on a package as soon as possible.

With Congress waffling, Hogan delivered his own stimulus plan in October. The $250 million strategy sent money to small businesses, namely restaurants, to help them weather the fall coronavirus surge. Weeks later, the governor announced another $70 million in relief.

"States are already fighting an uphill battle to rebuild our economies and maintain essential services," Hogan wrote to Biden. "Without federal assistance, we could be forced to consider ... measures that will cause an increase unemployment and further delay the economic recovery."

The governor thinks adding infrastructure projects will also help the nation climb out of its economic hole.

Hogan has had a focus on transportation for a while. Addressing aging highways was one of his main talking points as last year's chair of the National Governors Association.

"Building a more efficient, innovative, smart, resilient and secure infrastructure future is a mission that governors from both sides of the aisle strongly support," he wrote.

Hogan finally suggested that Biden keep an eye out for the Chesapeake Bay. Last year, the federal government dedicated a record-high $85 million to bay cleanup. Hogan asked Biden to renew that contribution in future budgets.

The governor frequently says the bay is a key pillar of Maryland's economy. He continued that message last month, visiting the Eastern Shore to see how fishers and crabbers are surviving the pandemic.

"Safeguarding the Chesapeake Bay will always be of critical importance to Maryland," Hogan told Biden. "Maintaining this funding will allow us to sustain the progress we have made and meet our restoration goals."

Hogan's full letter is posted here.

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