Legislation has been introduced in Annapolis aimed at helping people whose jobs have been impacted by the sudden pause in shipping operations at the Port of Baltimore following the collapse of the Key Bridge.
Del. Clippinger, a Democrat from Baltimore City, is the lead sponsor of the legislation in the House of Delegates. According to the bill text, there are approximately 15,3000 jobs in Maryland directly generated by the port activity, and 140,000 total jobs – including indirect jobs – linked to the Port of Baltimore.“People woke up on Monday and went to work. They woke up on Tuesday and their jobs were gone at 11 o’clock at Seagirt,” Del. Clippinger said.
The Department of Commerce would also create a temporary relief program as well for small businesses as well. According to the bill text, businesses would be required to pay their employees normal rates and provide usual benefits. Businesses would be required to repay the state within six months following the Port of Baltimore’s re-opening, as the businesses begin making money again.
“We are not looking to completely deplete the Rainy Day Fund,” Del. Clippinger said. “This happened Tuesday and we are struggling a little bit with that. The cost is something that we are mindful but at the same time, we also want to make sure that we have that basic level of protection that families need to get by.”Lawmakers are still working to pass a budget; the Senate’s version of the budget includes a balance for the reserves of approximately $2.3 billion, according to the Senate President.
Dubbed the Maryland PORT Act, Sen. Ferguson said the bill will also offer support for small businesses that have between 20 and 30 employees to keep those employees on the payroll. “This is not a partisan thing; this is a people thing. It’s impacting families,” he said explaining why he wanted to help work to get this plan done.