In This Newsletter:
- Message From Susan
- Democrats Assault on Law Enforcement
- Governor Eases COVID Restrictions
- Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
- Ag Center Grant approved
- Maryland State Tax Deadline Extended
-
Delegate Scholarship-Deadline Soon! March 31st
|
|
Friends,
It had been a very long and often disappointing week in Annapolis. It is the point in the Legislative Session where dozens of bills are passed daily, and many are not fully vetted or necessary. With only a month left in the 2021 Legislative Session, we are moving at a rapid pace to consider some important (and some not so important) legislation.
My focus continues to be on ensuring that our residents have access to the COVID-19 Vaccine. We have put pressure on the Governor’s office to improve the sign-up process and increase the supply into Carroll County. Commissioner Rothstein met with myself, the Secretary of Health Dennis Schrader, and others to share our concerns over the low allocation of doses to Carroll County.
Carroll County Health Officer, Ed Singer, and his team have done a good job focusing on the 75-year-old and older population, to distribute the allocations received in a timely manner. They have rotated clinics throughout the county for easier access. We simply have not received enough vaccines to meet our demand. I am confident that in the next month, we will move swiftly through the next phase and availability will improve dramatically.
I am very pleased to see our schools reopening and our children back out on the ballfields. I am also very supportive of Governor Hogan’s efforts to lift capacity restrictions at our restaurants and other venues. Spring is definitely in the air and the excitement of reopening is transparent everywhere.
Susan
|
|
Democrats Assault on Law Enforcement |
|
Last week POLICE REFORM bills were heard and debated in both the House and Senate. House Republicans held a press conference on HB 670, with law enforcement from around the state, outlining the many flaws in the bill that would dramatically shift the landscape of public safety in Maryland. It does nothing to improve law enforcement and public safety, in fact, it only makes situations worse. FOP President Clyde Boatwright. Sherriff DeWees and our local law enforcement are opposed to this legislation as proposed.
Law enforcement members are our friends and not our enemies. This “Police Reform” bill will weaken law enforcement and make our communities less safe. After an hours long debate, the Republicans were voted down on every attempt to offer amendments to fix the very poorly drafted legislation - I voted NO.
Unfortunately, the Democrats put common sense aside and gave into the “anti-cop” crowd that is largely devoid of facts and reason. They are trying to make police the criminals while constantly advocating for the real criminals ( for example- legislation passed to let ex-offenders serve on juries- even convicted pedophiles’)
HB 670, sponsored by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, would:
-
pare back decades-old job protections for officers,
-
remove local control from overseeing how complaints are handled and create a new state bureaucracy,
-
remove police from boards that investigate police allegations of misconduct,
-
allow the public to access confidential personnel records of individual officers,
-
change how law enforcement officers in the state are trained, investigated and disciplined,
This one size fits all approach is directly related to long recurring problems in Baltimore City. Why does the rest of the state have to suffer because of problems in Baltimore City?
There are also efforts to remove School Resource Officers from our schools. These SROs have been highly successful in most of the state’s jurisdictions and we will fight to retain the funding and ability to continue our SRO program in Carroll County Public Schools.
The debate over police reform is an important one, but fixing the problem is a complex issue that should not compromise those who have dedicated their life to protect and serve us. I will stand firm in supporting our police officers.
|
|
Governor Eases COVID-19 Restrictions |
|
It is hard to believe that we just passed the 1-year anniversary of the COVID-19 epidemic. While we all agree this past year has been unprecedented and challenging, we are beginning to see signs of hope. There are significant improvements in the state's health metrics and the pace of vaccinations are increasing. Governor Hogan recently announced the lifting of some restrictions. I have included the specifics below as well as important information on vaccine eligibility and locations.
|
|
As of Friday, March 12th at 5:00pm
-
CAPACITY LIMITS LIFTED, MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS MAINTAINED. Capacity limits were lifted on outdoor and indoor dining at restaurants and bars, retail businesses, religious facilities, fitness centers, casinos, personal services, and indoor recreational establishments. Bars and restaurants are now open for seated and distanced service only—patrons may not stand at a crowded bar. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place. Read the order.
-
LARGE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR VENUES MAY OPERATE AT 50% CAPACITY. This includes theaters; concert, convention, and wedding venues; racing facilities, and outdoor entertainment and sporting venues. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place.
-
MEDICAL ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS TO REOPEN. Medical adult day care centers may reopen, with facilities able to set appropriate restrictions and safety measures. Read the order.
-
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS LIFTED; TRAVEL ADVISORY REMAINS IN PLACE. Quarantine requirements and other restrictions on out-of-state travel have been lifted. A Maryland Department of Health (MDH) travel advisory will remain in place, and Marylanders continue to be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 upon their return from out-of-state travel.
ADDITIONAL ORDERS AND GUIDANCE:
STATEWIDE MASKING ORDER REMAINS IN EFFECT. This requires the wearing of masks or face coverings at any public indoor facility, including retail establishments, fitness centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, personal service establishments, in the public spaces of all public and private businesses across the state, and when using public transportation. Masks are still required in all outdoor public areas whenever it is not possible to maintain physical distancing.
TELEWORK. With contact tracing continuing to show some transmission among individuals who are working outside the home, particularly in office settings, the state continues to encourage employers to support telework whenever possible.
LICENSING AND PERMITTING. The governor’s order authorizing the suspension of license and permitting expirations will sunset on June 30, 2021. Timeframe suspensions made before this order will remain in effect until June 30, though agencies may terminate them earlier. Agencies are explicitly authorized to conduct virtual hearings and meetings. Read the order.
|
|
Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions |
|
Why should I get vaccinated?
The COVID-19 vaccine works with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. The vaccines are shown to be highly effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, and will also help protect the people around you. Together with wearing masks, washing your hands, and practicing physical distancing, getting vaccinated will help us put an end to this deadly pandemic.
Who is now eligible for the vaccine?
Maryland is now in Phase 1C of our phased distribution plan.
Where can I get vaccinated? How do I register?
Visit covidvax.maryland.gov to find a vaccination clinic near you. You will need to contact the clinic you select to register and/or to schedule an appointment. The clinic will verify your eligibility to be vaccinated. You must have an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
What is the difference between registering for a vaccine and a vaccine appointment?
Registering is not the same as scheduling a vaccination appointment. You fill out a registration form to request a vaccination appointment. Completing this form does not create an appointment. Once an appointment is available, you will be contacted. The time between submitting the registration form and getting notification to schedule an appointment varies by vaccination site and provider depending on the number of eligible people who register and the overall vaccine supply.
|
|
Transportation Available to Vaccine Clinics
Carroll Transit System (CTS) is available and eager to transport residents with transportation issues to Carroll County COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
|
|
$250,000 Grant awarded to the Board of Directors of the Carroll County Agricultural Center, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement and capital equipping of the Carroll County Agricultural Center and Shipley Arena.
|
|
Maryland State Tax Deadline Extended |
|
Take note….the Comptroller announced that the deadline to file and pay State income taxes has been extended by three months to July 15, 2021. No interest or penalties will be assessed if returns are filed and taxes owed are paid by the new deadline.
In Maryland, passage of the RELIEF Act in February required extensive revisions to previously released forms and software programs used by tax filers and tax software vendors. Legislative veto overrides that took place later than usual prompted additional changes. At the federal level, the passage of a third stimulus package this week necessitates more changes to federal and state forms even as the traditional April 15 tax filing deadline approaches.
|
|
Maryland Unemployment &
Federal Stimulus Package
|
|
If you need assistance with your claim, you may contact my office at susan.krebs@house.state.md.us. Please include your full legal name, complete address, phone number, e-mail address, claimant ID number, and/or a brief description of the issue you are experiencing. Due to the volume of calls and inquiries, responses from the Department of Labor -Unemployment are generally answered within 2-3 weeks. We ask for your continued patience as we are doing everything we can to help.
|
|
Third Federal Stimulus Package |
|
On Wednesday, March 10th the United States House passed a $1.9 Trillion package that includes a new round of up to $1,400 stimulus checks as well as an extension of unemployment checks. This package will also aid state and local governments, vaccination developments, restaurants, child care, and more! This is on top of the already passed RELIEF Act. For questions and more information regarding the RELIEF Act, go to the Maryland Office of the Comptroller RELIEF Act Frequently Asked Questions.
|
|
Scholarship Application Available for
High School Seniors!
|
|
|
|
Scholarship Applications are now available
|
|
Scholarships are for Carroll County High School Seniors who will be attending a Maryland College or University in Fall 2021.
Deadline is: March 31, 2021
Please note that due to the slow U.S. Postal Service, we will also accept emailed application packets.
|
|
Connect with Susan:
Phone: 410-841-3200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
