Last night, Delegate Dereck Davis, Chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee, and Lindsay Major, Analyst with the Governor’s StateStat Office, met with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Environmental Task Force to discuss environmental issues affecting Maryland’s businesses.

Chairman Davis discussed his expectations for environmental legislation for the upcoming 2009 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly. He stated that environmental matters will be important issues during the Session, but he expects that the budget and the economy will take primary focus. Chairman Davis also expressed his expectation to see the return of global warming legislation, as well as other energy related legislation expected to be introduced by the Administration.

Also discussed were strategies to strengthen communication between legislators and the Maryland Chamber and the Environmental Task Force. Chairman Davis said open and active communication would help to build relationships and foster constructive discussion of policy issues.

Maryland BayStat, a program started by Governor Martin O’Malley to assess and coordinate restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, was introduced to the Task Force by Major. She presented BayStat’s goals and approaches to reach policymakers and the public.

During the meeting, drafts of the Task Force’s Policy Statement and Best Practices Guide were reviewed and discussed. Final drafts will be published at a later date.

The Environmental Task Force will hold its final meeting September 23. For more information or to join the Environmental Committee, contact Allyson Black, Vice President of Government Affairs, at ablack@mdchamber.org.