ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Surrounded by state legislators and fellow Maryland county executives, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker held a news conference Monday morning, thanking the General Assembly for passing a bill that paves the way for a new hospital in the area.

“The people of Maryland are going to have a first-class, world-class hospital system,” Baker said hours before the legislative session was scheduled to end.

Under the bill, the state and the county are required to provide funding for a new Prince George’s County medical center.

“We’re at the ready to make this happen,” Baker said.

Gov. Larry Hogan refused to sign the bill, but he also avoided challenging it with a veto.

Hogan said he supports the project, but opposes the idea of providing mandated funding over the course of several years.