This Week in Annapolis - January 31, 2020
Greetings! For the past two weeks I have been collaborating with my colleagues on legislation - revising, and filing bills while attending floor sessions each day and briefings from government agencies. I presented two of my bills to the House Environment and Transportation Committee, and am gearing up for several public hearings in my own committee, Economic Matters coming up next week. Women Leading On Climate Resiliency This week I was part of a group of four women legisla
Women Lawmakers Take Aim at Climate Change
Some coverage in Maryland Matters by Josh Kurtz on the important initiative that we introduced last night: As Maryland becomes increasingly susceptible to catastrophic events related to climate change, lawmakers are seeking ways to make the state more resilient and better prepared for what may come. Senators and delegates on Monday night unveiled a package of five resiliency bills designed to make it easier for state planners and policymakers to prepare for — and, if possible
Women Legislators Lead on Building a More Resilient Maryland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Nithin Venkatraman
443-896-7552
nvenkatraman@senate.state.md.us Annapolis, MD - [January 27, 2020] Members of the Maryland General Assembly introduced a number of bills on Monday aimed at combating the increasing risks of climate change and sea level rise that threaten Maryland communities. Senator Katie Fry Hester (D - Howard and Carroll), Senator Sarah Elfreth (D - Anne Arundel), Delegate Brooke Lierman (D - Baltimore City), and Delegat
Today I Filed House Bill 78 - Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund – Authorized Uses
Today I Filed House Bill 78 - Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund – Authorized Uses I have filed this bill as primary sponsor, and it has a hearing date. More will follow. Please contact me if you would like information on this bill, or to submit testimony. This bill will allow the administration to have flexibility in granting local governments funds for flood control. Currently this massive fund is used only for water quality projects such as upgrading sewer treatment plants. T
Today I Filed House Bill 30 – Condominiums - Disclosures to Unit Owners and Prohibited Provisions in
House Bill 30 – Condominiums - Disclosures to Unit Owners and Prohibited Provisions in Instruments by Developers (Sunset Island Act) I have filed this bill as primary sponsor, and it has a hearing date. More will follow. Please contact me if you would like information on this bill, or to submit testimony. This bill will prevent Condominium Boards from waiving the legal rights of their members without their knowledge. The bill stems from a situation in Ocean City where a devel
The 2020 Session Has Begun!
The 2020 Session Has Begun!
Greetings, I am back in Annapolis hard at work for the residents of Howard County and Maryland. We began the session with a historic unanimous vote to elect Delegate Adrienne Jones as Speaker of the House. Speaker Jones is the first woman, and the first African American, to be elected Speaker in the history of 441 legislative sessions in Maryland. This was a moment I shall not soon forget.
This session I continue as a member of the Economic Mat
Your Howard County District 9B Team
I’m so proud of the District 9B team - Terry Chaconas and Cindy Scruggs. They are answering calls and emails (lots of emails!), making sure the bills and amendments are filed, training interns, and providing tremendous support to your Delegate. Fun fact - although they did not know each other until last year, they both won the “Friends of Education Award” from the Howard County Board of Education in different years in the past. You can see their twin awards on the wall betwee
Today I Filed a Bill Aimed at Protecting Consumers
Today I filed a bill with cosponsor Delegate Ned Carey that is aimed at protecting consumers by requiring an “opt-out” link on large company websites. It would allow you to opt-out from the company selling any information they collect about you (while you use their site) to third parties. Delegate Carey has another online privacy bill that would provide other kinds of protections for consumers - stay tuned. #mdga2020 #working4md #Working4MD #MDGA2020
Thank You Congressman Sarbanes
Thank you Congressman Sarbanes for stopping by my office this morning. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated representative serving us in trying times in Washington DC. #MDGA2020 #working4you #stronger9b #Working4MD #MDGA2020 #Annapolis #HoCoMD #CourtneyWatson #CongressmanSarbanes #HowardCounty
Briefings, Briefings, Briefings
Briefings, briefings, briefings. Today we heard about the Uninsured Employers Fund and the deficit it has, as well as an update on Minimum Wage, Sick Leave, and other labor issues from the Governor’s staff. Important information to absorb before we start considering legislation. Public hearings on bills start next week for my committee, Economic Matters. #Working4MD #MDGA2020 #Working4MD #MDGA2020 #GeneralAssembly #HowardCounty #HoCoMD #Maryland
