Leonardtown, MD — Maryland’s rural counties outnumber their urban colleagues. But the urban areas win the population battle by a wide margin and thus have the upper hand in the Maryland General Assembly. A new group hopes to level the playing field somewhat.
Maryland Rural Counties Coalition (MRCC) was formed in 2010 with the four Western Maryland counties. It has blossomed into a membership of 15 counties of the 23 counties and Baltimore city that comprise Maryland. And they have grown without the support, so far, of the three Southern Maryland counties.
That may be changing. After a briefing by the organization’s chairman, Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard, several of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County expressed an interest in joining, although no decision was made.
The heritage organization representing the counties, The Maryland Association of Counties (MACO), is having its summer conference next week in Ocean City. That organization probably had heartburn over the formation of another county-centric organization. But Howard said that relationship has evolved. “We have a very good relationship with MACO,” he said. Howard noted that MACO has agreed not to take a position on legislation until MRCC makes its position known.
Howard says the young group is now in its third evolution, which he described as MRCC 3.0. He wrote in a position paper presented to the St. Mary’s board, “Rural Coalition 3.0 will continue to be focused on important legislation and make sure that our voices as a rural community will be heard. But there is so much more to do. Currently, we have 15 counties as members and interest from two more. It is more important than ever that our organization continues to grow and work together effectively.”
There is often a misunderstanding of legislators from the urban areas about the needs of the rural areas, Howard noted. He said, “Folks that come from an urban background think that all folks want to be just like them.” Howard said there is some talk about the urban counties forming their own coalition.
Some of the issues on the plate for the next Maryland General Assembly session for the rural group include: the drug crisis, economic development, responsible growth and environmental stewardship, and health care.
Howard said that each of the original counties had a $5,000 entry fee into the organization, although he said the fee structure for the organization was being reviewed.
Commissioners Ton Jarboe [R: 1st] and Todd Morgan {R . 4th} both expressed an interest in pursuing the idea for St. Mary’s County. Jarboe (shown above) said it was frustrating for rural counties to be ignored in Annapolis. “I think your group is essential,” he asserted.
Calvert County is also considering membership in the organization.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com