Dear Friends,
When I describe the pace of the 90 day session, I divide it into thirds: the first part is spent getting bills drafted and ironing out initial kinks; the second third is focused on hearings and trying to find consensus; and the final third is focused on keeping bills alive and through the other chamber. We're coming to the end of the first third as we approach deadlines to introduce bills and begin the intensity of the hearing process.
Please read below to learn more about our first bill hearings. We'll continue sharing more details about my legislative agenda in the weeks ahead, and you can learn more by scrolling down to click on news links featuring some of my bills.
We're happy to introduce you to Sushmitha, a student at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, who is interning in our office this session along with Chris, our University of Maryland School of Law intern. They are a tremendous help to our staff, responding to constituent inquiries and assisting in hearing preparation. They're also fun to have in the office!
Earlier this week we had our first Shelly@thedeli and we had a great discussion about a wide range of issues. I hope you'll save the date for the next, in Owings Mills, on February 13th, from 8:30-9:30 at Towson Hot Bagels (THB) at Mill Station.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if we can be of assistance.
Stay safe & healthy,
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My 2023 legislative agenda addresses a broad range of issues from criminal justice matters, to the environment & public health, as well as protections for renters and government transparency and accountability. I've highlighted a few bills in this newsletter and will continue to on social media and as we have hearings. You can learn more by following my legislative page on the MGA website here.
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SB 100 closes a loophole in landlord-tenant law that currently allows unlicensed landlords to evict tenants in certain eviction cases. Licensing exists to ensure that landlords meet a floor of safety and health issues.
The principle and value put forth in this bill is that one should not be able to use the legal system for enforcement if one is not acting legally and complying with applicable local real estate licensing laws.
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Temporary Cash Assistance is a key social safety net program that helps households at or below the poverty line. Unfortunately, under current Maryland TCA regulations, public housing subsidies are counted as unearned income for purposes of TCA benefits. SB160 would disallow housing assistance from TCA calculations and provide an additional $60/month in assistance.
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Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made “forever chemicals” that have leached into our soil, air, and water. They are used in a wide range of consumer products including mosquito sprays used around homes, schools, and businesses. PFAS toxins are associated with serious long-term health consequences including cancer, birth defects, developmental delays and impaired immune function.
SB 158 requires that manufacturers present a clean test for PFAS contamination prior to the use of mosquito sprays and other pesticides before they may be used in Maryland.
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"Sen. Shelly Hettleman sponsored Maryland’s law when she served in the House of Delegates. She said she remains committed to this long-term project, because it improves opportunity for women in the workplace, and compelling studies show businesses with gender equity in their leadership actually did better.
“Ultimately, our goal is to shine a light on the lack of gender diversity in the boardroom,” Hettleman said. “And Maryland has lagged behind some of the national figures. It’s important to have corporations be very conscious and deliberate, taking into account this gender equity in the boardroom.”
"Shelly Hettleman, a state senator from Baltimore County who has led major legislative efforts involving the preservation and testing of rape case evidence, is working to secure either legislation or a legal agreement with the hospital to make sure none of the remaining slides are destroyed. “I am very interested in making sure those slides have legal protection,” she said."
“It’s more humane. It’s more economical. And it is more attuned to the real public safety needs,” Hettleman said. “I think it will go a long way to really addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our community who are behind bars and who are a significant economic burden to the state.”
"There remains a lack of oversight at the Maryland Department of Public Services and Correctional Services when it comes for caring for the well-being of those incarcerated."
"The good news is we can take a simple step to turn off this tap. State Del. Dana Stein and Sen. Shelly Hettleman are sponsoring legislation, the Pesticide Registration — PFAS Testing — Requirements Bill (SB 158), to ban the use of pesticide products containing PFAS in Maryland. Manufacturers would have to test their products for PFAS as part of the current annual registration with the state."
“Our workplace right now is kind of gone through just such a transformational change, adapting to covid, with some people working from home, with people experimenting with virtual and … with employers trying to figure out what their workplace needs are,” said Maryland state Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County), a lead bill sponsor. “Looking at the Great Resignation, I think people are looking to do work differently and so I think it’s a perfect time to do this.”
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Governor Moore Introduces Budget |
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Last week, Governor Moore introduced the operating and capital budgets for the fiscal year 2024. I serve on the Budget & Taxation Committee and on the Health and Human Services Subcommittee and the Pensions Subcommittee where we will have the opportunity to review the budget in detail over the coming weeks. Here's an initial snapshot of main features of the FY '24 budget, as introduced:
Our fiscal health remains strong, with projected combined cash balances at the close of fiscal 2024 of $3.3 billion.
Tax relief proposals, contingent on the enactment of legislation, include exempting a larger portion of military retirement income from the income tax, establishing a more robust Child Tax Credit, and removing the sunset on temporary enhancement to the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The budget provides much-needed increases in funding for transportation capital needs, behavioral health infrastructure investments, as well as additional funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
The budget holds tuition increases at the University System of Maryland schools to 2% and fast-tracks the increase to a $15 minimum wage, including increases for to certain healthcare workers and community support workers who assist people with disabilities.
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Application Now Open:
Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps
The Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps is a one-year term of stipend-supported service that places young adults ages 18 - 25 years with nonprofits or government agencies to work full-time in the environmental field. Those selected gain experience managing projects and programs, leadership and professional development training, mentorship, a support network, and skills including grant writing in the field of environmental restoration, community engagement, climate change, environmental education, sustainable agriculture, energy conservation, or forestry.
The Chesapeake Bay Trust anticipates placing 50-55 Corps Members throughout the Chesapeake Bay region with a stipend of $31,200 beginning on August 15, 2023. Applications for the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps must be submitted through the Trust’s online system by March 9, 2023 at 4:00 pm. To learn more and apply go to Prospective - Chesapeake Bay Trust (cbtrust.org)
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The Northwest Community Planning Forum and CHAI are hosting a Community Master Plan Meeting for Cheswolde, Cross Country, Fallstaff, Glen and Mount Washington on February 15th from 6pm-8pm on zoom.
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Call for Vendors for the Pikesville Farmers Market |
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The annual BCPS Stakeholder Climate Survey will be conducted from Monday, January 30, 2023 – Friday, March 3, 2023. Feedback from this comprehensive survey guides the district’s budget, staff, and programs.
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CASH Campaign of Maryland
Free Tax Preparation Services
If you earned less than $60,000 in 2022 you are eligible to get your taxes done for free by IRS-trained and certified volunteers from the CASH Campaign! You may even be eligible to access the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which could put thousands of dollars in your pocket. Families or individual taxpayers may qualify for free tax prep from CASH and our partners. The CASH Campaign of Maryland has partners located throughout the state that includes Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites that offer free tax preparation services. To book an appointment for free tax preparation please call 410-234-8008 or visit www.cashmd.org.
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Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a new program providing benefits for water and wastewater costs for low-income households experiencing hardship with their water bills. LIHWAP will assist Maryland families who are behind on their drinking water and wastewater bills focusing on arrearage accounts that are 30 days or more past due. For more information from the Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs-click here.
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CASEWORK/ADVOCACY
Our office advocates for those who may be vulnerable or need assistance cutting through “bureaucratic red tape” with these entities and many more:
◆ Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
◆ State Highway Administration (SHA)
◆ BGE
◆ Unemployment Insurance (Dept. of Labor)
◆ Tax Issues (Office of the Comptroller)
◆ Citations for milestone birthdays, Gold/Eagle Scout Awards, etc.
◆ Senate resolutions for major/historic commemorations
We work closely with our local and federal partners to ensure that our constituents’ voices are heard at all levels of government, striving to make government accessible and responsive to our constituents' needs. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.
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