The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will hurt Maryland businesses and disrupt income for thousands of workers who rely on the Port of Baltimore for the foreseeable future. Maryland politicians are working to provide relief.
“When we had the pandemic, the port was open,” Senate President Bill Ferguson said Friday. “This the first time in recent memory where the public and private terminals and all of the businesses associated with it are closed.”
Text for a bill intending to provide economic relief for industries reliant on the port became available Friday. The legislation is being ushered through the General Assembly by Ferguson, House Judiciary Committee Chair Luke Clippinger — both South Baltimore Democrats representing parts of the port — as well as Sen. Johnny Ray Salling, a Republican who represents portions of Baltimore County impacted by the disaster.
According to the bill, the Department of Labor would create a temporary financial relief program for people who regularly perform paid work at the port, can’t return to work because of the closure or don’t qualify for unemployment — even if they’re able, available, and actively seeking work — while the Port of Baltimore is closed.
Additionally, the Department of Commerce would stand up a temporary relief program for small businesses and trade associations that rely on the port to function and, because of its closure, can’t give their workers the same hours, pay rate and benefits. Business owners would be mandated to give employees shifts, pay them normal rates and provide them with their benefits to the fullest extent possible while the port is closed. These businesses would be required to repay the state within six months after the port reopens and they begin generating revenue.
