On November 19, the General Assembly passed a package of spending and tax initiatives to address the state’s $1.7 billion shortfall. AFT, along with Partners for Open Space, lobbied hard and were largely successful in protecting the state’s support for the environment and land acquisition. We are hopeful that this forward-thinking policy will pass in the regular session that begins on January 9, 2008.

The General Assembly passed (and the Governor signed) $50 million in dedicated funding for the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund (formerly known as the “Green Fund”). The establishment of this fund is a great first step for addressing non-point source pollution that enters the bay. The proposed distribution of funds directs 30 percent of the money toward conservation measures on farmland and another 30 percent for municipal storm water improvements, although the final distribution of the funding hinges on the policy approval in the regular session. AFT and Partners for Open Space strongly opposed the Senate version that included raiding $21 million from Program Open Space funds. The final version of the bill left these vital land funds alone. See how your legislators voted on this policy and thank them for voting for the Bay!

Included in the governor’s tax package was a measure to close the loophole that allows Limited Liability Corporations to transfer real estate without paying the real estate transfer tax, funds that go to Program Open Space for land conservation. This bill is critical to the full funding of Program Open Space, as the state currently loses countless sums of money each year due to this loophole. This passed both chambers and was signed by the governor.

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