2016 Session Update - Week Three Edition
Governor Hogan Unveils Several Legislative Priorities
The Governor began to roll out his legislative agenda this week, including initiatives to combat the heroin epidemic in Maryland, fix Maryland's hopelessly gerrymandered redistricting process, and make important strides in both K-12 and higher education.
Combating the Heroin & Opioid Epidemic
Based on the recommendations from the Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force he created last year, the Governor is introducing legislation that will help combat Maryland's heroin and opioid epidemic.
One of the Governor's proposal will strengthen our Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which was created to assist health professionals and law enforcement in identifying and investigating prescription drug use and abuse. To make this program an even more robust tool, the Governor's proposal makes improvements to the system overall and phases in a mandatory registration and use.
The Governor's other proposal will facilitate the prosecution of drug trafficking by amending Maryland's gang statute to align it with the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The Governor's proposed changes would aid in the prosecution of, and provide civil penalties for drug traffickers as a part of an ongoing criminal enterprise.
Redistricting Reform
Maryland's congressional districts have the distinction of being some of the most gerrymandered districts in the country. In 2015, Governor Hogan established a bipartisan Redistricting Reform Commission to study this issue, and look for ideas on how to implement a more fair and transparent system.
Based on the recommendations of the Commission, the Governor is proposing a constitutional amendment that would replace the current system by creating a General Assembly and Congressional Legislative Redistricting Apportionment Commission. This nonpartisan commission would be tasked with dividing the state into legislative and congressional districts in accordance with state and federal constitutional provisions.
This independent process is sure to result in more election districts being based on population, compactness, and natural boundaries, as opposed to politics and partisanship.
Good Read Regarding Redistricting
Education Initiatives
Governor Hogan's education agenda includes three programs that will help deliver better K-12 education outcomes for thousands of students, while also making higher education more affordable.
The Maryland Education Tax Credit program will provide tax credits to private citizens, businesses, and nonprofits that make a donation to public and non-public schools to support basic education needs such as books, supplies, technology, academic tutoring, tuition assistance, and special needs services. The program is designed to increase the attractiveness and likelihood of donations to eligible public and non-public K-12 or Pre-K programs across the state.
The "Pathways in Technology Early College High School" (P-Tech) education model is an innovative, nationally-recognized approach that blends high school, college, and work experience in one program. P-Tech schools offer an integrated six-year education program that combines high school, college, and workplace skills required for jobs in the 21st century. Governor Hogan's proposal will authorize P-Tech schools in Maryland and create a system to finance them through grants to school districts. Graduates of Maryland's P-Tech schools can earn a high school diploma and a two-year postsecondary degree in STEM from an accredited community college.
Governor Hogan's Maryland SmartBuy proposal would allow the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to create the Maryland SmartBuy mortgage product, a program that would allow college graduates to finance student loans while undertaking a home mortgage. The program would be authorized through the Community Development Authority under DHCD, and would not require any new state funds or create any additional debt burdens for the taxpayers of Maryland. This legislation would create another important economic opportunity for young people overburdened with significant debt.
Governor Hogan has a bold legislative package that he has presented, and we appreciate any feed back you would like to share.
Baltimore Metropolitan Council Brings Their Meeting to Annapolis
Commissioner Doug Howard and County Executives serving the Baltimore Metropolitan Area spent the morning sharing their legislative priorities and information on the Mid Skilled Career Pathways in Engineering Technology, Cybersecurity and IT.
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