Dear Friends,
Following the adjournment of the General Assembly session, all of the bills that have passed both Chambers are presented to the Governor. The Governor has tentatively scheduled several bill signings, two have passed and three remain – May 3rd, May 8th, and May 15th. This past Monday, Governor Moore held his second bill signing with Senate President Ferguson and House Speaker Jones, signing approximately 145 bills into law.
Some key bills that were signed:
The State’s $63 billion budget package was approved, providing funding for our schools, new mass transit and transportation infrastructure, climate change, the Chesapeake Bay, community projects and more.
SB 959: Higher Education - Maryland 529 Program - Reform (see below for more information).
SB 551: Department of Service and Civic Innovation and Maryland Corps Program Service Year Option Pathways - Established (Serving Every Region Through Vocational Exploration Act of 2023), also known as the SERVE Act, was signed this past Monday. This bill creates a year of service open to high school graduates and those with a GED. The goal of this bill is to get more people working in government and roles that will help to serve their community.
Governor Moore has three options regarding bills presented to him by the General Assembly:
- He can sign them into law,
- He can veto a bill, or
- He can allow the bill to take effect without his signature.
If the Governor vetoes a bill, the General Assembly can choose to override the veto at the next regular or special session.
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MDOT MTA Metro Subway Closure |
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Metro Subway System to Close Friday, May 5 through Sunday, May 7 for Communications System Upgrade Bus Bridge Will Transport Riders Between All Metro Subway Stations BALTIMORE, MD (April 24, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will close all stations on the Metro Subway system beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, May 5, and will reopen them at 5 a.m. Monday, May 8.
The weekend closure will enable crews to complete key work for a new communications system that will provide a safer, more reliable subway for years to come. A bus bridge will operate between all Metro Subway stations every 30 minutes during regular service hours.
“The installation of our new communications-based train control system will provide riders with the state-of-the-art rail communications system our customers deserve,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “As always, improved safety and reliability take top priority in every decision we make to enhance the transit rider’s experience.”
The work is being scheduled over a weekend with fewer local events to minimize disruption to riders. The full closure will avert the need for multiple instances of single tracking.
The new train communications system will provide riders with an enhanced transit experience by allowing more accurate control of train movement on the Metro Subway system. To prepare for its installation, crews must conduct comprehensive surveys of the train tunnels. These surveys will provide detailed positioning information for all signals, switches and interlockings.
To take full advantage of the temporary closure, the Maryland Transit Administration also will test new hardware that controls train movements in and out of the rail yard. The work is part of a larger Metro Subway system upgrade that will eventually include new rail cars.
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The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is resurfacing the I-97 travel lanes between MD 178 and MD 450 near Annapolis. Drivers should prepare for nighttime single lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday nights. All work is expected to be completed in June, weather permitting.
Portable variable message signs are in place, and temporary traffic signs and barrels will guide drivers through the work zone. Drivers should prepare for extra travel time and remain alert for work crews.
If you have any questions, you may contact the MDOT SHA District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or toll-free at 1-800-331-5603.
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I greatly encourage you to take the time to ensure all of your information is up to date so you are ready to receive correspondence regarding your Medicaid or MCHP coverage renewal. Correspondence will arrive via postal mail for all unless the participant has opted to receive communications by email. |
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RABIES ALERT – 4/26/2023 —
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is seeking anyone who may have come in contact with a raccoon by the 1700 block of Mayapple Way, near Mount Tabor Road in the 21054 Zip Code of Gambrills, Maryland. The raccoon tested positive for rabies.
If you or your pet had contact with this infected animal, or your pet has unexplained wounds, please contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Health at 410-222-7254 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 443-481-3140 after business hours.
Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as a groundhog, cat, fox, raccoon or bat. It is also spread when an infected animal’s saliva comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or open cut of a person or another animal.
Preventive treatment might be required for anyone who handled, fed or was attacked by the infected animal. Rabies is a fatal disease, and preventive treatment (injections) must be started as soon as possible. The Department of Health advises county residents to take the following precautions to prevent the spread of rabies:
- All pets should have current rabies immunizations.
- Do not allow your pets to run free.
- Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
- Do not leave pet food outside.
- Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially feral cats, raccoons, bats, and foxes.
- If bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, and seek medical attention.
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Maryland is the now the first state to put in place a Federally approved reimbursement plan for those affected by EBT fraud. Governor Wes Moore has announced that the administration will now reimburse Maryland residents with federal funds to replace SNAP benefits stolen by EBT card skimming.
Gov. Moore’s plan also includes establishing features that allow users to lock their cards when they are not in use, sending notifications that text and email cardholders when their card is used, and educating recipients on how to protect their cards to prevent fraud in the future.
If your benefits were stolen between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023, you must complete a reimbursement form no later than May 31 to have your benefits replaced. For those whose benefits were stolen on or after March 1, the last day to file a claim is 45 days from the date you discovered your benefits were stolen. For assistance completing a new claim over the phone, you may call Maryland Hunger Solutions at (866) 821-5552.
You can find the Department of Human Services SNAP Benefits Q&A here for more information. |
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Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund |
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From the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development:
You may not need assistance to stay in your home, but you may know someone who does. The Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund can provide mortgage relief, weatherization, housing counseling, and legal services.
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Glen Burnie Library Closed: Sunday, April 30
The Glen Burnie Library will be closed Sunday, April 30 for carpet cleaning. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The book drop will remain open during the building's closure and any materials due during that time are still due as scheduled.
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My office is continuing to receive inquiries about Unemployment claims. If you or anyone you know needs assistance with their Unemployment Insurance claim, please click the link and fill out our Unemployment Insurance Assistance Form. We will contact our District Liaison regarding your claim.
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I look forward to seeing you out and about in the community. We will be keeping busy with community and constituent issues, and oversight and task force committees.
During the interim, my Chief of Staff, Nancy Lipin Crawford and Legislative Director, Ash-Lynn Randolph will be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be working remotely on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Email is the best way to reach us, be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and a description of your issue. We are happy to assist you.
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Thank you for allowing me to serve as your District 32 State Senator!
Pamela Beidle
Senator, District 32
Finance Committee
Chair Executive Nominations
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