House rejects bid to restore $3 million for tourism outreach; Sunny Day Fund debate divides members
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
A floor amendment to restore roughly $3 million to Maryland tourism outreach funding failed after lawmakers argued the money would deplete the Sunny Day Fund and harm other priorities; the amendment was rejected on a recorded vote.
A floor amendment seeking to restore $3,000,000 for statewide tourism advertising failed on the House floor after a contested debate about pay-fors and fund priorities.
Maker of the amendment (S12) argued the cut had harmed occupancy and tourism revenues and that restoring the money would help counties and the state's marketing efforts. "Tourism is a growth strategy for the state of Maryland," the maker said, citing lost hotel-room nights and declines in average daily rates.
Floor Leader (S13) urged the body to resist the amendment, saying the proposal would further deplete the Economic Development Opportunities Program (the "Sunny Day" Fund) and warned that the House had already made aggressive cuts to that account in the adopted budget. "The house version of this budget already aggressively cuts the Sunny Day Fund," he said, arguing the state remained in a period of cost containment.
After debate the clerk recorded the roll: "There being 97 votes in the negative, the amendment fails." Supporters said they would pursue alternatives in committee and encouraged continued attention to tourism's impact on county revenues.
What happens next: The tourism funding question may be revisited in conference or separate budget negotiations; proponents asked staff and leadership to explore other pay-fors or timing options.
Sources: Floor debate and recorded vote east March 11 session.