Maryland’s 90-day legislative session began last Wednesday. With the swearing-in of Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk and other significant changes to the House leadership, I am looking forward to all the ways we will improve the lives of Marylanders.  Advocating for Clean Energy I got straight to work on Opening Day by speaking at a rally with fellow legislators and advocates to build support for my Affordable Solar Act .   Solar energy is the fastest and most cost-effective way

My New Role:  Vice Chair of the Economic Matters Committee Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk has put her stamp on the Maryland House of Delegates with   new leadership assignments .  I am deeply honored to have been named the Vice Chair of the Economic Matters Committee.   My 2026 Bills This year’s legislative session begins on January 14th.  I will be introducing 17 bills on a wide range of issues.  Linked below are brief fact sheets for most of my bills.  In the coming weeks, I

New Year, New Speaker I am beyond thrilled and excited to have been part of the historic election of our new Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, Joseline Pena-Melnyk.  Throughout her life  and especially in her almost twenty years of service in the House, she has led with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to justice and inclusion. Joseline has been a personal mentor to me and so many others. I look forward to working under her leadership as we continue to move M

It has been a hard year: a year of unimaginable cruelty and suffering, a year of witnessing the daily dismantling of decades of progress, a year of one devastating heartbreak after another. But it’s also been a year of extraordinary love and resistance—a resistance that is beginning to crack the authoritarian system we are fighting.  I came to politics through community organizing and social justice movements. I’ve spent a lot of time looking at how change happens in the face

Dear Friend, Once again, President Trump has taken a tragedy and used it to demonize and spew hate against immigrants. This week he is targeting Afghan refugees.  We have many people from Afghanistan who now call our community home. Over the last few years, I have been honored to get to know quite a few of them. They have a long history with repressive and corrupt governments. In choosing America, they felt they had arrived in a country that respects individual freedoms and t

Two economic blows have rapidly increased food insecurity in our community:  thousands of federal workers and contractors have not been receiving paychecks and SNAP food assistance benefits have been delayed.  This disruption to individuals’ lives and the wider economy will continue to reverberate even after the government re-opens. While SNAP benefits to Marylanders will arrive this week  to address this emergency, the full monthly benefits are still in limbo, and the Trump

Help For Those Facing Hunger In District 20, 11,924 people  are enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and depend on it to put food on the table.  The Trump administration's refusal to release funds that are available for this program means kids go hungry at school, seniors skip meals to pay for medicine, and grocery stores and farmers in our communities lose customers. I have been working with state agencies and nonprofits to find ways to make sure peop

No Kings Rally:  October 18th  Join me this Saturday in a day of national and global nonviolent protests against the outrageous and devastating actions of President Trump and his enablers.  I’ll be joined by members of Do the Most Good, Indivisible MoCoWoMen, Moms Rising, and lots of your neighbors.   Bring your protest signs to Colesville Road from Hastings Drive to the 495 overpass from 10:00-11:30 am.  Sign up   here   to let us know you are coming and to get more details.

October 18th “No Kings” Protest History has its eyes on us. What will you say you did at this critical juncture for our country? Every...

As the House Chair of the Maryland General Assembly Transit Caucus and in a challenging budget year, I am thrilled to report progress on...

It’s been a busy summer.  In Maryland we streamlined government services, protested federal overreach and cruelty, fostered collaboration...

Let’s get into some good trouble.  Join me, Do the Most Good, Indivisible MoCo, Moms Rising, Silver Spring Progressive Action, and lots...

I love everything about the “Food Forest” growing at Montgomery College’s Takoma Park campus.  Join me this Saturday, July 12th, from...

This past Saturday began so joyfully.  Seeing so many community members peacefully participating in No Kings events—here and all around...

Governor’s Vetoes I am disappointed that Governor Moore has vetoed several important bills passed by the General Assembly: ✓ The...

“What can I do?” is a question I am often asked these days.   People are, understandably, devastated by the actions of the MAGA regime...

We are living in tumultuous times. Going into this year’s legislative session, we knew we faced a looming budget deficit of more than...

This year’s legislative session ends on Monday. During this last-minute crush and push, my colleagues and I are working overtime to pass...

We started our 90-day legislative session with snow on the ground.  Now, with only nine days left, when I walk into the State House I am...

Today is Crossover Day ! The Maryland General Assembly only meets for 90 days each year.  With just 21 days left in this year’s session,...