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Showing Up

I am heartened when people show up.


Whether people show up in response to a tragedy, show up to support a cause they believe in, or show up to learn something new: showing up and being an active participant in our communal life matters.


WUSA recently aired a story on the tragedy and how my bill seeks to address the problem.


Melanie Nicholle Diaz Fire Safety Bill

A year ago, on February 18th, a deadly fire broke out at the Arrive Apartments in Silver Spring. Multiple people were hospitalized with injuries and over 400 people were displaced from their homes. Melanie Diaz, only 25 years old and a beloved community member, died in the fire.


Although the buildings had recently been renovated, sprinklers were not installed because it is an older building (since 1974, all new apartment buildings must have sprinklers). My bill, HB 823, named in Melanie’s memory, seeks to improve fire safety in these older apartments. 



Moms Demand Action Demands Action

Gun violence destroys lives and threatens our communities. While our gun safety efforts here in Maryland have been constrained by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last year, we must use every possible tool in our toolbox to keep our communities safe. I appreciate the continued advocacy by many individuals and groups like Moms Demand Action (seen here on their lobbying day). 


Several bills being considered in this year’s General Assembly strive towards ending gun violence.  I support them and will be advocating actively for their passage:


Hearings Continue!

Over the next two weeks, hearings will be held on five more of my bills.  For more details, including exact bill language and hearing information, go to the “Legislation” page on my website.


As the Chair of the Economic Matters Subcommittee on Unemployment Insurance, I developed comprehensive legislation to modernize our state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.


Let’s make sure green energy jobs are good-paying jobs!  This bill requires all work done on utilities–whether above or below ground–to be done by contractors paying prevailing wages.


One of the harder lessons learned from the much-delayed Purple Line construction is the need for better coordination between the State Highway Administration and utility companies.  


This bill would align qualification requirements so renters are treated the same as homeowners in existing property tax credit programs to increase affordable housing.


This bill would create an interest-free, revolving loan fund to help nonprofits purchase and install clean energy systems.

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Community Bridges in Annapolis

Community Bridges is a Silver Spring-based program providing young women from diverse backgrounds abundant opportunities to improve themselves and the world around them. I am a huge fan of the program and was thrilled to plan and host their recent visit to Annapolis. They learned about the legislative process first-hand and discussed issues of importance to them with me and other legislators.


D20 Night in Annapolis

‘Wish that you could have a field trip to Annapolis, too?  You can!  Make plans to participate in D20 Night on Monday, February 19th, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Two vans have been chartered to help get you there and back (or come on your own steam).  Find more details and register here.


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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