Md. Governor Orders Closure of All Nonessential Businesses; Announces Relief County Executive Calvin Ball's Daily COVID-19 Updates Howard County Funders Aim to Raise $100,000 in 10 Days to Address Coronavirus Major actions led by Governor Hogan to protect the public health and safety and to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland The RedCross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this #coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are urged to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Make an appt: rcblood.org/appt #COVID19 Delegate Courtney Watson Howard County District 9B Member, Economic Matters Commi
To further slow the spread of the novel coronavirus as more confirmed cases surface in the state, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan enacted an executive order today, Monday, March 23, 2020 to close all non-essential businesses, organizations, services and gatherings, effective at 5 p.m. Read the full executive order here
It is with great pleasure that Senator Katie Fry Hester and I announce that $8 million has been approved by the Maryland General Assembly in the state budget for Ellicott City’s Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan for Fiscal Year 2021. The General Assembly added $7 million to the $1 million proposed by the Governor for Ellicott City this year. Additionally, $250,000 has been granted in a local bond bill for sidewalks in the town. Speaker Adrienne Jones toured Ellicott City with me last summer and saw the economic and historic value of Old Ellicott City, not only to Howard County, but to the state and region as well. We are grateful for Speaker Jones’ leadership in making Ellicott City a
It is with great pleasure that Senator Katie Fry Hester and I announce that $8 million has been approved by the Maryland General Assembly in the state budget for Ellicott City’s Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan for Fiscal Year 2021. The General Assembly added $7 million to the $1 million proposed by the Governor for Ellicott City this year. Additionally, $250,000 has been granted in a local bond bill for sidewalks in the town. Speaker Adrienne Jones toured Ellicott City with me last summer and saw the economic and historic value of Old Ellicott City, not only to Howard County, but to the state and region as well. We are grateful for Speaker Jones’ leadership in making Ellicott City a
Greetings Friends, While I and my fellow state representatives continue the important legislative work in Annapolis before adjourning Wednesday, March 18th, the Covid-19 public health emergency evolves minute-by-minute. In an effort to keep you informed, I am updating federal, state and local information as it becomes available. Please read this information and share it with family, friends, and neighbors. While there is no need to panic, we must take this pandemic seriously. We are all in this together, and it will take each of us to help to flatten the curve and slow the spread of this virus. Stay well, Courtney From the Maryland General Assembly The World Health Organization has declared
Per the COVID-19 press conference held yesterday morning by County Executive Calvin Ball, I wanted to share with you all of the condensed information and resources they currently have in one place. Please see below, review this link or see the attached resources. View the press conference here. As you are already aware, the situation is changing quite rapidly. Please utilize the websites of the following departments and agencies listed below for real-time updates, as the information below is subject to change. As well, I encourage you to follow the Howard County Government Facebook Page for further updates. Howard County Government remains in frequent communication with our Health Officer Dr
Greetings Friends, This is the week leading up to Monday, March 16th, which is “crossover day." This is the date that bills cross from the House to the Senate. This week we had multiple floor sessions on some days, and a floor session is even scheduled for this Saturday. Bills are working their way through the process, and I will have more to report next week. IMPORTANT CHANGE: Due to coronavirus, the House has adopted a "no receptions" rule effective this Friday, March 13th AND a “sponsor only” public hearing rule beginning next week. Citizens wishing to submit testimony may email written testimony to our office and we can upload it for them in advance of the committee hearing. With the cor
A note from Senate President Bill Ferguson just now: "Update on Maryland's Coronavirus Response - Tonight, Speaker Adrienne Jones, Senator Clarence Lam, the only physician in the Maryland Senate, and I announced the introduction of emergency legislation to increase access and reduce barriers to healthcare access and protect Marylanders during this State of Emergency. Under the legislation introduced, the following provisions would be in effect in a declared catastrophic health emergency: • Reduce barriers to screening tests by restricting and reducing costs • Improving access to telehealth so all Marylanders can access the needed health care • Improve access to the COVID-19 vaccine, when i
Greetings friends, It's been a busy few weeks in Annapolis. This week we are having multiple floor voting sessions per day and long public hearings as we work through a record number of bills before the “crossover” date on March 16th. This is the date when the House and Senate swap bills -- each house considers legislation sent to it by the other house. Any bills that have not passed in one chamber and “crossed over” to the other by the end of the day are less likely to become law this year. On Monday, February 17th I was chosen to give the opening prayer at the House (see below), which was quite an honor. We reflected during that time on the need to serve as an example to the nation of lead
