The 445th session of the Maryland General Assembly begins today. With it comes 90 days of whirlwind activity: thousands of bills will be introduced and debated, advocates and community members will testify at hundreds of hearings, elected officials will be lobbied and lobby one another, and a raft of new legislation, including a balanced budget, will be passed. Next week we will also inaugurate Wes Moore as Governor, the first African-American to hold that position. Progress is possible and it is happening here in Maryland.
My Legislative Agenda I have already introduced 16 of my own bills. You can find fact sheets, bill language, and the current status for each bill on my website.
My top priorities include:
expanding Maryland’s commitment to offshore wind,
investing in energy efficiency in low and moderate income housing,
modernizing Maryland’s Unemployment Insurance program,
requiring greater equity and prevailing wages in state-funded utility projects,
increasing funding for mental health services in schools,
streamlining applications for safety-net services, and
improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
District 20 Breakfast Club Want to hear about the upcoming session directly from me and my fellow state legislators? Join us for the District 20 Breakfast Club on Sunday, January 15th, starting at 11:00 a.m. at El Golfo Restaurant in Silver Spring. Club dues are $18 per person for brunch and tips for the staff are appreciated. Please come even if you do not plan to partake of the buffet.
Be in Touch During the Session, my staff and I are ready to help you track legislation, sign up to testify at hearings, and much more. As always, if you or anyone you know needs assistance with a state issue, please contact my office at lorig.charkoudian@house.state.md.us or call us at (410)-841-3423.
Onward,
Lorig Charkoudian