ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, a Democrat representing Wicomico and Dorchester counties delivered a passionate speech on the floor of the Maryland House Wednesday, speaking out against a $67B budget that includes tax hikes and budget cuts.
Sample-Hughes began her remarks remembering comments made by former Maryland Governor William Donald Schaeffer in 1991, referring to the Eastern Shore as the outhouse of Maryland.
"This morning again it kept going over and over in my mind back in 1991 when I was in ninth grade and he made the statement that the Eastern Shore is the outhouse and for some of you who are younger you might wonder what that is. It's called a s**thouse," she said.
Sample-Hughes said the proposed budget will disproportionately impact rural counties, like those on the Eastern Shore.
The Delegate spoke exclusively with WBOC's Hunter Landon on Thursday about her speech, and how it has resonated with people on the Eastern Shore.
"The Eastern Shore is getting a smaller and smaller part of the pie, financially, and policy wise and at a point it needs to be discussed and it needs to be translated into action," she said.
As the clock ran out on Sample-Hughes' time, the House Parliamentarian, Delegate Stephanie Smith, a Democrat from Baltimore City chimed in.
"That institution is not for everybody. This institution is not for everybody," Sample-Hughes said. "I'm sure I'm going to be retaliated against, I'm sure I'm going to be removed from something," she continued.
"Thank you for recognizing me Madam Speaker. You are over your two minutes that were allotted to explain your vote. Thank you," Smith said.
Sample-Hughes has had a strained relationship with Democratic leadership in Annapolis. In 2024, Speaker Adrienne Jones removed Sample-Hughes from her position as Speaker Pro-Tem. Sample-Hughes says that was in response to her decision to vote against party lines.
"Do you fear retaliation?" our Hunter Landon asked Sample-Hughes.
"History repeats itself. I'm sure there will be. But at the end of the day, I'm going to be fine. I'm going to continue to be me. I'm not going to change who I am.
"Was it necessary to use an expletive to describe the former Governor's comments?" Landon asked Sample-Hughes.
"That's exactly what the governor in 1991 made that statement. And with that being said, it was how I was feeling. What is factual? And. I feel like we're going down that road again," Sample-Hughes responded.
As Smith tried to quiet Sample-Hughes, the Eastern Shore Delegate got in one last statement: "Two minutes is up but the passion for the people continues!"
Sample-Hughes went on to vote against the Democrats' proposed budget, becoming one of only three Democrats to join Republicans in opposing it.
Delegate Wayne Hartman, a Republican representing Worcester County says Sample-Hughes' comments resonated.
"Delegate Sample-Hughes referenced a comment made years ago by Governor Schaeffer about the Eastern Shore being an outhouse, and its hard to forget that comment. Because sometimes, you know the representation we have for our counties, rural counties in general across the state, not just the Eastern Shore, it's minimal compared to some of the larger counties," he said.
Sample-Hughes touched on the adverse impact she feels this budget will have in a number of sectors on the Eastern Shore.
That includes Dorchester County Public Schools, which has had to cut summer school programs in the midst of massive financial requirements from the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education plan.
Jodi Colman, Assistant Superintendent of Academics and Student Services for DCPS said "It's difficult to be noted that we're having to cancel a summer program, obviously. But it is honest, and I appreciate somebody putting out the facts as to what's going on and the difficult decisions that we're having to make.
Elsewhere, Sample-Hughes' comments about Annapolis lawmakers vetoing legislation that would better fund EMS services in Somerset County also drew praise.
"To be recognized in Annapolis, from a small place here in Crisfield in Somerset County, I mean that to me, that sounds pretty honored in my opinion. I mean it's the more help we can get, the better," said Doug Curtis, a Crisfield volunteer firefighter.
Sample-Hughes' no vote on the budget ended up not being enough. The budget passed in the House and moves on to the Senate. "Sine Die," or the last day of Maryland's 2025 legislative session is on April 7.