Is there value in continuing to have family farms on the Eastern Shore? Are parks and trails worth public and private investment? Do we need to continue our Eastern Shore way of life, respecting and honoring our history?
The answers to such questions may seem obvious, but Maryland's current budget doesn't reflect that.
The Maryland General Assembly in 1969 created Program Open Space through a transfer tax of 0.5 percent to 1 percent on every real estate transaction in the state. The intent was simple: to make sure that as land is developed, open space like farmland, parks and scenic lands would remain.
Now this program, which has become the most respected conservation program in the country, has quietly come under attack.
The budget proposed this year by Gov. Larry Hogan cut $115 million in funds for farmers, parks and other programs ("House, Senate panel approve budget March 19). And according to the Partners for Open Space, more than $1 billion has been diverted to other spending since the inception of this acclaimed program.
Let's respect our farmers by safeguarding the $11.4 million in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation and the $11.3 million in the Rural Legacy Program. Let's respect the intent for which Program Open Space was created and keep this dedicated-funding source viable.
Mr. Hogan and the Eastern Shore legislative delegation should know that citizens care about our farms, parks, trails and other lands, and that they want Program Open Space funds to be used for their intended purpose.
Josh Hastings, Queenstown
The writer is policy manager of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.