Hearing to Be Held on DNR Secretary Nominee

A hearing is scheduled on the nomination of a new secretary for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The Senate Executive Nominations Committee has scheduled a 5 p.m. hearing in Annapolis on Monday.

Some state senators raised questions about Acting Secretary Joseph Gill after reports about a conversation he had with Robert Brown, the head of the Maryland Waterman's Association, on a bill watermen opposed.

Gill reportedly said he would cut fishing quotas if the bill didn't pass. The measure, which related to the department's ability to restrict fishing, has since been pulled.

But Gill responded in a letter to Brown that his intention was to convey that could be a possible result. He says he did not intend the message to come across as personal.