RECOGNITION WHERE IT’S DUE

Choptank Electric Cooperative honors two trailblazers in the broadband arena.

During Choptank Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting, two lawmakers from the Eastern Shore Delegation were presented with the 2020 Distinguished Friend of the Electric Cooperative award. Speaker Pro Tem Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes and State Senator Steve Hershey were nominated and received the award because of their tireless efforts to pass House Bill 999, “The Rural Broadband for the Eastern Shore Act of 2020,” during the 2020 Maryland General Assembly. 
The Distinguished Friend of the Electric Cooperative Award, established in 2004, was created to honor legislators and regulators in the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware region who have been vigilant in protecting the interests of electric cooperative members.   
During the 2020 Maryland General Assembly, Delegate Sample-Hughes and Senator Hershey were able to guide HB 999 over the finish line in a shortened amount of legislative time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their leadership at committee hearings and the full chamber level led to HB 999 passing unanimously in both the House and Senate.  Passage of HB 999 was also made possible with the full support of the Eastern Shore Delegation, county leaders, a strong community coalition, and Choptank Electric’s grassroots members. 
Speaker Pro Tem Delegate Sample-Hughes represents District 37A, which includes part of Dorchester and Wicomico Counties. She worked closely with Economic Matters Committee Chairman Dereck Davis of Prince George’s County to promote the bill. During the Committee hearing, she outlined the “desperate” need for high-speed internet access and presented HB 999 as “a local bill to solve a local problem.”
“Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes made clear that broadband for the Eastern Shore was a priority this session,” explained Valerie Connelly, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations for Choptank Electric. “She leveraged her new leadership position in the House in a way that delivered amazing results for her constituents.”
Senator Steve Hershey represents District 36, which includes the entire upper shore. He is a trusted and knowledgeable member of the Senate Finance Committee who is viewed by colleagues as an authority on utility issues.  
“On the final day of session, Senator Hershey maneuvered the bill through his committee, worked a deal with House members, and then expedited floor calendars to get the amended bill back to the House for final approval,” explained Matt Teffeau, Manager of Government Affairs. “It was impressive to watch — and really meaningful for Choptank members.”
With the presentation of the 2020 awards, Senator Hershey and Delegate Sample-Hughes become the first Maryland lawmakers recognized in this way by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives.