OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
APRIL 14, 2023
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
EAT UP
RESTAURANT WEEK BACK
More than 20 Ocean City eateries gearing up for 14-day promotion starting this Sunday – Page 27
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Assembly tough on OC Offshore wind wins big support from legislature, calls for lots more of it By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (April 14, 2023) Opponents to the expansion of wind energy off the coast of Worcester County received a clear message from Gov. Wes Moore last week with the passage of the POWER Act at the state level. Wind energy isn’t leaving. It’s going to keep growing.
On the heels of an announcement in late March that initiatives were in place to increase offshore wind energy output, the Maryland General Assembly passed the POWER Act, which gives legislative backing to Moore’s intentions by quadrupling the state’s wind energy output from 2 megawatts to 8.5 megawatts. “(Moore’s) administration wants to make Maryland a leader of wind in the country,” Del. Wayne Hartman said. “This bill will expand the potential for offshore wind off the coast of Ocean City (to) potentially hundreds
of turbines. It’s a very egregious bill.” Both Hartman and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza tried bringing attention to the potential impact on marine life by proposing amendments that would slow construction until the possibility of adverse impacts caused by wind energy installations could be definitively ruled out. Neither was successful. In recent months, officials from both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission See OFFSHORE Page 6
Room tax increase dies quietly Bill gets little support from tax-wary legislators, who say wait until next year By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (April 14, 2023) At the end of the 2023 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the message out of Annapolis for Ocean City’s aspira-
tions to raise its room tax turned out to be the same as it was in 2022: Wait ‘til next year. Though the room tax bill that would have enabled what are known as code home rule counties on the Eastern Shore to increase their room tax from 5 percent to 6 percent failed to cross the finish line, elected officials are encouraged about what the 2024 session could hold.
“I understand that there will be some promises next year and more momentum behind it,” Del. Wayne Hartman said. “I’m sure we’ll be trying again next year.” Sen. Mary Beth Carozza clarified that Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) has committed to moving the bill forward next session, but also took aim at her colleagues See ROOM Page 6
Transit ad sales could top last year’s By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (April 14, 2023) The resort’s new transit ad contractor is on track to make as much or more money off of bus and tram advertisements this year as they tweak the selling process and prepare to welcome a new medium. Representatives from Gateway Outdoor Advertising, who took over the contract to sell ads on the backs, sides and tops of Ocean City transit vessels in September, updated memSee TRAMS Page 8
Drawings show how wraps planned for the resort’s eight Boardwalk trams will look when they begin running next month. Different colors will be incorporated that complement the city’s new logo and brand. DRAWING COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY