As the 2015 legislative session begins, state legislators who represent the Laurel area predict this year's priority will be to protect what they see as previous progress made on behalf of the city and state.
"I think the main thing we're really working on is protecting the progress we've made over the past few years, on the environment, schools, holding down tuition, in terms of transportation," said state Sen. Jim Rosapepe, a Democrat from District 21, which encompasses parts of Laurel, Beltsville and College Park.
With a $1.2 billion deficit and a new governor who has put the focus on paring down, Rosapepe said he plans to push for continuing Laurel-area progress.
Rosapepe highlighted a weekday service expansion to the MARC Camden line, set to begin this spring, and plans to build the Purple Line, a light rail train connecting Prince George's and Montgomery counties, as transportation projects he'll seek to protect.
Del. Barbara Frush, also a Democrat, said she planned to advocate for state funds to ensure that a planned partnership between Dimensions Health Care, which manages Laurel Regional Hospital, and the University of Maryland Medical System receives state funds.
Rosapepe said that even in a time of financial austerity, he was hopeful Laurel-area projects would garner support.
"We always make cuts in the budget, and you have to make cuts in the budget to be responsible... But Governor-elect Hogan is a Prince Georgian... and what he's been saying is he wants to keep the progress going but he wants to make it affordable, and I'm very supportive of that," he said.
In Howard County, legislators said they plan to revisit referendum legislation and redistricting.
The 90-day General Assembly session begins on Jan. 14, with Hogan taking office on Jan. 21. His budget is due to the General Assembly on Jan. 23, which will help unfurl how he plans to tackle the state's deficit and other issues.