Hello Friends,

     The 2015 Legislative Session has begun and I want to thank you for the opportunity to again represent you as your Delegate in Annapolis.

     My office has moved to room 427 of the Lowe House Office Building but my phone number and email remain the same. As always, if you would like to share a concern or opinion, please call 301-858-3101 or email me at [email protected].  I am here to represent you and be assured I appreciate my constituents' phone calls and letters and take them into consideration when voting.

     I am proud to have been appointed as the Chair of the Family Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee and as a Deputy Whip for this Session.  This session I am sponsoring legislation related to domestic violence, victim's rights, impaired driving, child abuse and neglect, child custody, and good government through audits.

     The pace of the General assembly is fast due to our constitutionally mandated 90 day limit.  If you would like to listen to the live House of Delegates proceedings, watch the public hearings in the Standing Committees, read about the bills I am sponsoring, or track legislation of particular interest to you, you can find all of those links under the General Assembly Home Page.

     Governor Hogan has released his much awaited budget.  You can review the full proposed budget or a good summary of the budget highlights on the General Assembly webpage.  The budget is balanced mainly on cuts to essential services such as education, healthcare and cuts to the state workforce.  The proposed cuts to Prince George's County from the expected 2016 funding level is $44,602,073.00.  The General Assembly can reduce or restrict money in the budget, but the legislature may not add to the operating budget or move money from one program to another.

     We will be updating you soon on my annual District Coffee and Donuts listening sessions concerning your questions, issues and concerns. It is my great privilege to represent you.  I will work hard with our new Governor and legislature to continue to improve the quality of life in Maryland, our County and our District. Please let me hear from you- that is why I am here!

Sincerely,

 Geraldine

 By Authorityof Friends for Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Elizabeth Ryan, Treasurer