The 447th legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly started yesterday. One of the biggest challenges we will contend with is addressing the projected nearly $3 billion budget gap in our state finances. I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that we maintain our commitments to education, healthcare, and the environment and address this shortfall with creative solutions and progressive revenue generation.
My Legislative Agenda
Over the next few weeks, I will be profiling all of the 17 (and counting!) bills I plan to introduce this year. I will also be updating my website to include actual bill language, fact sheets, and status updates about hearings and votes.
What do my bills seek to accomplish?
Climate and Energy
• Increase Maryland’s supply of abundant, affordable clean energy.
• Require public utilities to be more accountable to ratepayers.
• Add solar canopies in school parking lots.
• Ensure all new transmission lines are built to maximize energy efficiency.
Economic Issues
• Modernize MD’s Unemployment Insurance program.
• Redefine residency rules for tax purposes.
• Assist patients with hospital debt.
Transportation and Public Safety
• Install stop sign monitoring in school zones.
• Protect data and information about Maryland residents in state interactions with federal immigration agencies.
• Limit the density of alcohol stores.
• Help Purple Line businesses and residents.
Food Systems
• Promote “Food Forests”
• Improve Farm-to-School procurement
• Sharpen Food System Resiliency Council’s mission
Education and Mental Health
• Allow Mont. Co. Board of Education members to be paid full-time
• Streamline review process and aftercare for mental health patients
Abundant, Affordable Clean Energy
My biggest focus will continue to be solving Maryland’s energy challenges. Our electrical grid continues to experience ever-increasing demand. At the same time, we must remain steadfast in our efforts to transition away from planet-destroying fossil fuels and to protect rate-payers from higher energy costs.
There are many ways to achieve our goals of providing a reliable supply of energy in more environmentally responsible ways. Along with Sen. Brooks, I will be introducing major legislation to do exactly that.
Our solutions include increased use of grid scale battery storage sites (read more about it here), incentivizing solar and land-based wind, creating good-paying clean energy jobs, and more.
Bonus!! Want a more in-depth understanding of the issues facing our regional electrical system? Listen to two recent podcasts I did explaining the issues and my legislation to address them:
Stay in Touch: Need help with a state issue? Please contact my office at lorig.charkoudian@house.state.md.us or leave us a message at (410)-841-3423.
Onward,
Lorig Charkoudian
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