October 14, 2024

Ready Report: Remembering Don Elliott, MPRP Update & More…

Last week, we lost a great leader and man when former Delegate Don Elliott passed away at the age of 92. I had the honor of serving with Delegate Elliott in his last term in the House of Delegates. He was a veteran, a small business owner with pharmacies in New Windsor and Union Bridge and an effective legislator in Annapolis working on solutions for problems faced by rural communities and in health care. If you have a moment, read this outstanding obituary – Don had so many accomplishments and deserves our thanks. The best thing about him was that he was a loving husband, father and grandfather and had tremendous personal honesty and integrity which I observed many times. He was a true public servant and will be greatly missed.

MPRP Update

StopMPRP has been putting out a lot of good information about the recent developments of this project. After a public meeting in Fredrick County, StopMPRP released the information below regarding properties on or adjacent to the proposed route. It is important to make informed decisions, and to not panic when unknown entities make offers on your property;

 

From Stop MPRP:

 

Letters Will Be Sent Soon, but there is No Need for Immediate Action:

  • Over the next 10 days, PSEG will send letters to landowners and adjacent landowners along their final proposed route. They will release the final proposed route publicly when they “are sure” all the landowners/adjacent landowners have received the letter. PSEG believes that public announcement will be around October 15-17.
  • Receiving a letter does NOT mean PSEG is taking your land. It means they are requesting to negotiate an easement.  
  • The letter will include contact information for the real estate agent assigned to each letter recipient. Landowners can expect to hear from these realtors immediately after receiving their letter.
  • You are NOT obligated to enter negotiations with the real estate agent listed in the letter. This agent is assigned to negotiate the easement’s value, but you are not required to agree or sell.

 

PSEG Does Not Have Eminent Domain Authority:

  • PSEG cannot use eminent domain to take your land at this time. They will not have that authority unless and until their Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) is approved, a process that will take months or years.
  • Public hearings with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) are expected in 2025. We will share more information on this process in the coming weeks.

 

Public Meetings in November:

  • PSEG plans to hold three public meetings in November—one in each affected county. They will bring health, real estate, and other experts to address concerns.

 

It’s Important to Wait:

  • We understand this situation brings stress and uncertainty, but delaying negotiations works in your favor. We have heard that agents often use pressure tactics to imply that this is a done deal, but we assure you that it is not. When we stand together and all refuse to negotiate an easement that will make the goal to stop the proposed MPRP more likely.
  • Do not allow PSEG representatives onto your property or start negotiations before you are fully prepared. Waiting ensures the public can achieve the best possible outcome.  

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StopMPRP.com has a lot of great information and resources available to those being affected by this project. I will continue to provide updates on MPRP and PSEG as I can.

 

Ready in the Press

Last week, I answered some questions from Fox 45 about a drill that took place in Annapolis using actors to simulate an influx in illegal immigrants. Although the state keeps saying that they are not expecting a large influx of immigrants anytime soon, this could be a sign of what is to come. I will keep an eye out for more developments on this issue and will continue to push back against the majority party and their radical immigration policies.

From the Fox45 article:

“In Annapolis on Tuesday, Maryland’s Emergency Management Secretary launched a drill using actors as immigrants and two Annapolis buildings as shelters. “It sounds to me like the state is thirsty for this to happen,” Senator Justin Ready said. “They can say it’s a drill but unless it’s about accepting people from North Carolina who have been displaced because of a hurricane, that’s not what state tax dollars should be used for.””

Read the full article by clicking here.

 

Event Update

I want to thank everyone who came out to our Annual Fall Fundraiser at Island Green outside Westminster. It is such an honor to serve our community and to have so much support and positive encouragement means a lot. Thanks also to the many who contributed financially to make the event a success even if they couldn’t be there. Also, I appreciate Delegate Chris Tomlinson for his introduction and kind words. As we move towards the crucial November elections and then the 2025 Legislative Session this support allows me to continue fighting for conservative principles, helping other common-sense candidates and causes and getting the word out about how we turn Maryland around. We had a beautiful evening as well.

Have a great week ahead and please reach out with any questions.

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