There are now 74 days left in the session and things are quickly beginning to pick up. I have “dropped” 16 bills now and you can view these bills on my page on the General Assembly website.
This week, I have been busy meeting with constituents! I was delighted to be able to spend some time with our Nurse Practitioners, Firefighters, State Troopers, Obstetricians, Emergency Room doctors, members of the Tech Council, and various nominees for the secretary positions. Monday, January 30 will be the first Executive Nominations Committee meeting.
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My bill, SB 99 Circuit Courts and District Court - Dishonored Checks - Service Charges had it's first hearing this week on January 25th in the Judicial Proceedings Committee. This bill was filed at the request of the Clerk of the Circuit Court to update their section of the code.
Next week, my bill SB147 Street Racing and Exhibition Driving – Prohibited Acts, Enforcement, and Penalties will have it's first hearing on January 31st in the Judicial Proceedings Committee. This bill seeks to prohibit exhibition driving on any highway or private roads used for driving by the public as well as have certain penalties associated with exhibition/street racing.
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Pictured from left to right: Senator Hershey, Senator Ferguson, Senator Beidle, Senator King, and Senator Augustine. |
I was also very excited to get the official photo of my swearing-in! I was sworn in on January 11th, 2023.
Thank you to every constituent for the honor to once again represent the citizens of District 32.
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SB 50: State Finance – Prohibited Appropriations – Magnetic Levitation Transportation System
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My cosponsored bill with Senator Pinsky and Senator Augustine, SB 50
State Finance – Prohibited Appropriations – Magnetic Levitation Transportation System had its first hearing this Wednesday in the Budget and Taxation Committee on January 25th. The purpose of this bill is to prohibit State funding for proposed the Maglev Project.
To view this bill, click this link:
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0050?ys=2023RS
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Thank you to constituents, Dan Woomer and Suzzie Schuyler, for coming to
Annapolis to testify, alongside me, in support of SB50.
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Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Briefing |
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This week Governor Moore’s released the FY24 budget; the Finance Committee had a short briefing on some of the important highlights.
The 2023 budget was approximately 64-billion dollars, due to a decrease in Federal funds received, the FY24 budget will be around 63-Billion. The rainy day fund received $2.5 billion in 2023 so there is no need for an additional contribution in 2024. General fund spending declines in 2024.
Governor Moore is requesting legislation that allows all Military Retirement to be free of State Income Tax and that the Child Tax Credit be expanded. He is also recommending the hospital assessment be decreased by $50 million because of the financial strain on hospitals because of the recent Covid pandemic.
The budget includes two important increases:
- $500 million for the Transportation Trust Fund. We all see how desperately our roads need maintenance, I am hopeful this includes funds for potholes, trash and weeds to be cleaned up. Our roads look terrible!
- $500 to the Blueprint for Education.
I was pleased to learn that the formula used for Community College aide will provide an additional $39.9 million to our Community College. Also unfortunately, because Anne Arundel County’s children in poverty has grown, 10,000 additional children now qualify for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS), the contribution to Anne Arundel County public schools increases
Governor Hogan had promised a 4.5% cola for employees, however he did not fund it, Governor Moore is funding that announced cola plus an additional 2%. The hiring and retention of employees in Maryland State Government is at an all-time low, we are short approximately 10,000 employees.
Watch for more information as the 2024 Budget progresses through the legislative process.
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Senate Finance Committee Subject Jurisdiction 2023 Session |
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Alcoholic Beverages
Business Regulations (cigarettes, health clubs, gas station dealers, homebuilders)
Commercial Law (consumer protection)
Economic & Community Development (tourism, stadiums, conference centers, military bases)
Education (blind industries, collective bargaining)
Financial Institutions/ Commercial Law (credit regulation, mortgages, credit cards, late fees, debt management/settlement, credit freeze)
Health Care Facilities and Regulation (CON, hospital rates, nursing homes, licensing)
Health Occupations
Human Services (welfare, family law, social services, Children, Youth and Families)
Health Insurance (including medical professional liability insurance)
Life Insurance
Property and Casualty Insurance (auto, homeowners, title)
Private Sector Labor and Industry (collective bargaining, worker training, wages, OHSA, sick leave)
State Personnel (collective bargaining, leave, at-will employment)
State Finance and Procurement (living wage, prevailing wage)
Public Health (including Medicaid, mental health, developmental disabilities, diseases)
Transportation (port, aviation, highways)
Unemployment Insurance
Uniform Commercial Code
Workers’ Compensation
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DISTRICT 32 SENATORIAL SCHOLARSHIP |
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Applications Available Online Now! |
Mail all applications to
Senator Pamela Beidle Scholarship Committee
11 Bladen Street Suite 202, James Senate Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401
by the April 7th, 2023 deadline.
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You must attend a Maryland School.
Click here for the application.
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Maryland Secretary of State Notary Public Town Hall 2023 |
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Dear Notaries Public:
The Office of the Secretary of State's Charities & Legal Services Division is pleased to announce our next Town Hall meeting for Maryland Notaries Public.
The purpose of the Town Hall meetings is to inform notaries and those interested in becoming notaries about the requirements for notaries public in Maryland. Town Halls will be conducted virtually via Google Meet.
The platform restricts attendance to the first 500 and does not accept advanced registration to reserve a spot for the Town Hall.
A schedule of the remaining 2023 Town Halls for Maryland Notaries Public is below. A link to join each town hall will be sent approximately 1 week in advance of each date.
- February 21, 2023: Notaries Public vs. Title Insurance Producers and Independent Contractors (TIPIC)
- March 27, 2023: Notary Handbook, Law & Regulations...An Overview
- May 22, 2023: Types of Notarizations...Allowable Actions a Notary May Perform
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September 25, 2023: How to Avoid Complaints...Top Ten Mistakes
- November 20, 2023: Remote Notarizations
All town halls will begin at 10:00am.
"NOTICE: These Town Halls will be recorded. A link to the recordings will be available on the Secretary of State's website after the Town Halls. By choosing to join any of the Town Halls following this notice, you are consenting to the recording."
We look forward to seeing you virtually on these dates!
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County Exec and ACDS Housing Announcement |
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County Executive Pittman and Arundel Community Development Services Announce a Pre-Application for Affordable Rental Housing Production. The program provides funding for development and redevelopment of affordable rental housing units serving households with an income earning 60% and below area median income.
Administered by ACDS on behalf of Anne Arundel County, the program makes federal HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funding, County General funds, and Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Trust Funds available for the development and redevelopment of affordable rental housing units. Qualified nonprofit organizations and for-profit development partners are eligible to submit a pre-application. Pre-applications will be reviewed by ACDS staff and the ACDS Development Committee for consideration.
Read the full press release HERE.
More information on the program and requirements can be found at this LINK.
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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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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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Just Transition Fund Grants |
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They offer two primary types of support to communities. The Application-Ready Technical Assistance opportunity will help organizations identify funding programs that a project is eligible for and help navigate the early application process.
For more information, click the logo above!
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The nonprofit Just Transition Fund created the Federal Access Center to provide grants and technical assistance to remove barriers to federal funding, and engage government agencies to make funding programs more accessible and equitable.
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In the second support category, Application-Ready Grants, the Federal Access Center awards up to $25,000 to organizations preparing to apply to a specific federal program. The Federal Access Center aims to support nonprofits in communities developing clean energy projects, workforce development, or more.
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Anne Arundel County Public School News |
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AACPS Board of Education
Public Workshop on Redistricting
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The public workshop on redistricting was held Monday January 2nd. The workshop covered the process to be utilized in redistricting. No specific redistricting proposals were discussed. |
AACPS will embark on a process later this school year to change school boundaries in the northern part of the county as part of a plan to develop attendance zones for the new Old Mill High School West and West County Elementary School, both of which will open in the 2024-2025 school year. A process to change school boundaries in the remaining portion of the county will begin after the northern process has concluded and those changes are implemented.
The full meeting can be viewed HERE on the AACPS YouTube channel.
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Redistricting continues to be an ongoing issue in our county. If you have any questions or concerns, listed below is the contact information of your elected Board of Education Representatives. |
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Board of Education Contact Information |
Robert Silkworth:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 2
(443) 534-5766
Gloria Dent:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 1
(410) 991-5133
Melissa Ellis:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 4
(410) 533-7940
Board of Education General Contact Information
BOE Office: (410) 222-5311
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Public Workshops for AACPS Implementation of Blueprint |
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Registration is now open for two public workshops covering Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ draft implementation plan for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future submission, a document which must be submitted by March 15, 2023. In-person workshops will be conducted on Jan. 31, 2023, at Arundel High School (English) and Feb. 1, 2023, at Glen Burnie High School (Spanish). Both workshops begin at 5:30 p.m.
An overview of the Blueprint will be provided to participants, who will then break into small groups and be able to provide input on two topics based on draft answers to categorical questions in the plan.
The full press release can be found HERE.
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Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation |
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Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation is hiring!
Workforce Development is looking for individuals who will be able to help with the construction of the Severn Center. Individuals must be interested in pursuing a career in Construction and Trades and have experience in general labor/skill labor. For those who are interested, Workforce Development will provide additional services and training!
Click the image above to be directed to the application!
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Maryland Insurance Administration
Virtual Events
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On Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 12pm-1pm |
Lunch with MIA: Mental Health and Heart Disease
The Maryland Insurance Administration is hosting a virtual event to discuss Mental Health and Heart Health. Topics include managing mental health, making lifestyle changes and understanding how to use your health insurance to fit your healthcare needs.
Special Guest speaker: Joseph V. Gennusa III, PhD, RDN, LDN Johns Hopkins University ALACRITY Center for Health and Longevity in Mental Illness
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On Thursday, February 9th 2023, 6 pm - 7 pm |
What You Need to Know About Annuities
Join the Maryland Insurance Administration for an informative presentation on the basics of Annuities.
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Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program
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The Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program is now open for 2023 grant applications! |
Grant applications will be accepted through February 13 with awards between $10,000-$25,000 going to eligible organizations who train service and support dogs or who provide equine therapy to veterans. The notice of funding availability, application, and associated materials are available on the MDVA website.
Click image to the right to find the application!
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Community Health Alert
January 26, 2023
Raccoon Found in Pasadena
Tests Positive for Rabies
RABIES ALERT – 1/26/2023 — The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is seeking anyone who may have come in contact with a raccoon near the 1200 block of Magothy Road in Pasadena, 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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General Assembly Office Schedule |
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My Chief of Staff, Nancy Lipin Crawford, Legislative Aide, Ash-Lynn Randolph, and Intern, Zoey Nichols will be working Monday through Friday to respond to any Constituent concerns.
I have enjoyed hearing all of my constituent's thoughts and ideas on legislation. Please continue to stay in touch with me. I encourage everyone to be involved in government and have their voice heard.
I will be taking virtual and in-person appointments this session. You can schedule by calling or emailing the office at pamela.beidle@senate.state.md.us or 410-841-3593. We are always 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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