Still, the pandemic’s impacts are far from over and challenges remain unsolved. Predictable incidents of violence, like the ones we witnessed in Fell’s Point last weekend, must be addressed and thousands of Marylanders are now extremely vulnerable due to the Governor’s decision to prematurely end our State’s participation in extended federal unemployment insurance benefits.
I still firmly believe that we can solve big problems when partners at all levels come together in search of a solution. This was the Senate’s approach to improving vaccine distribution and access through the Vaccine Oversight Workgroup, which helped Maryland get to this point in our fight against COVID-19. Marylanders deserve collaborative, evidence-based approaches to bettering our City and State for all our residents, especially the most vulnerable among us.
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A Premature End to Federal UI Benefits
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Last week, Governor Hogan announced that he will end Maryland’s participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs on July 3. These programs have bolstered thousands of Maryland’s families over the past year and a half, and their premature cessation is pulling the rug out from thousands of Marylanders, including the more than 175,000 Marylanders receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Further, all Marylanders receiving unemployment will stop receiving enhanced $300 weekly payments that go directly back to our local economies.
Senator Klausmeier, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight, and I wrote a letter to Governor Hogan urging him to develop another course of action that supports our small businesses without cutting off critical lifelines for everyday Marylanders who are already fighting to get by. States like Colorado are incentivizing those accessing unemployment insurance benefits to find employment and remain employed without needlessly punishing thousands of others who still cannot return to work for a number of valid reasons. I am thankful that our Congressional representatives are also echoing these calls.
Marylanders need leadership with empathy at a time of ongoing crisis. As I stated earlier this week, basing public policy on partisan narrative denies human dignity, puts profits over people, and puts politics over sound economic research. Perhaps a quote from a Marylander's op-ed this week who lost her job in the hospitality industry in March 2020 due to the pandemic says it best: “We are still out of work. That’s not because we want to stay at home...Cutting my unemployment doesn’t make my job come back faster or help other workers find child care. It just makes our lives significantly more painful.”
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Building a Safer Baltimore
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The violence in Fell's Point last weekend left me heartbroken and frustrated, both because individuals were harmed and because the violence was predictable and preventable. Building a better Baltimore requires taking an urgent and coordinated approach that is grounded in prevention, deterrence, and diversion. For months, Delegates Clippinger, Lierman, Lewis and Councilman Cohen and I have been working together to advocate for our City and State partners for a coordinated plan to be put in place that mitigates crowds and deescalates issues in Fells Point and other public spaces of late night concern.
We must be able to take proactive approaches when patterns and predictability exist. I am committed to continuing to work with Mayor Scott and our State partners to implement a comprehensive plan to proactively address the causes of these incidents. I am glad that the Maryland State Police and Maryland Transit Police will work with City partners this weekend to increase DUI enforcement efforts to hopefully serve as a further deterrent. There will also be a number of road closures and parking restrictions enforced during the evening hours, which residents with valid permits will be exempt from.
Whether we are talking about Fell’s Point, Cherry Hill, Patterson Park, O’Donnell Heights, or anywhere else in the 46th Legislative District and Baltimore City, residents must feel safe, receive reliable municipal services, and believe that government is working in their interest.
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Additional Vetoes Announced
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In the last newsletter, I wrote about a number of disappointing vetoes by the Governor, and last Friday, nineteen more crucial pieces of legislation were vetoed. These measures would have strengthened Maryland’s transportation system, extended collective bargaining rights to State employees, required planning for the State’s long-term COVID-19 response, and provided much needed oversight of government emergency procurement contracts.
A number of these bills were supported by members on both sides of the aisle, because many legislators, regardless of political party, recognized the benefits that they would provide to Maryland’s communities and businesses. Before the next Legislative Session, I will be discussing the vetoed legislation with members of the Senate and House Leadership in order to plan our next steps.
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City Schools Gears Up for Summer Programming
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During the recent Legislative Session, we worked to pass legislation amending the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future to address the impact of the pandemic, including a requirement for all of Maryland’s school districts to implement summer academic programming. While this is part of the way City Schools has historically functioned, I am thankful for the efforts of Baltimore’s teachers and District Office employees who are working hard to quickly expand and adapt summer programming. Baltimore’s students deserve our best efforts to support them through the long-term effects of the pandemic, and robust and accessible summer programming is our first step on the long road of recovery.
It is also important to note that the school closures this week due to lack of air conditioning in the midst of a heat wave is a travesty. Baltimore City Public Schools has made immense strides in lowering the number of schools lacking AC, but the end and beginning of every school year reinforce the urgency of the problem. That is exactly why the Maryland General Assembly ensured $80 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan will go towards immediate HVAC and ventilation improvements in Baltimore City and across the State, and why the General Assembly passed legislation to fund billions in school construction throughout the State, including hundreds of millions more in Baltimore City.
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Equity continues to be a priority in the “home stretch” of the vaccination campaign. Baltimore City recently established a grant program to support local vaccination clinics and outreach efforts, and will continue a rotating schedule of mobile and pop-up clinics. The Senate Vaccine Oversight Workgroup has advocated for these on-the-ground efforts since the beginning of the rollout and continues to support targeted efforts to make vaccinations accessible in every community. The Vaccine Oversight Workgroup will continue meeting every few weeks to hear from Secretary Schrader and receive periodic updates from the Maryland Department of Health.
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Maryland has a large number of advisory boards and commissions that help inform the work of our State agencies and the Maryland General Assembly on issues ranging from public health to public education and criminal justice reform to agricultural practices. As Senate President, I have the distinct honor of appointing qualified Marylanders to serve our State on those boards and commissions.
I am also hoping to connect local community organizations doing incredible work in Baltimore neighborhoods with grant writers to help expand their impact. If you are interested in being considered to serve on a State board or commission, or are willing to volunteer with one of our vital community organizations, please reach out as soon as possible by email (bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us).
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Senate President's Office Staffing Update
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Sally has a keen understanding of policy and the legislative processes that has been so important to the Senate’s historic success. She understands the bipartisan nature of the Senate, has deep relationships on both sides of the aisle, and will provide stable leadership as we head into the final year of this term. Sally will continue the work of departing Chief of Staff, Jake Weissmann, whose talents, skills, and collegiality have so effectively helped the Senate of Maryland achieve immense progress in the face of historic transitions and a global pandemic.
Over the last 18 months, the State of Maryland has experienced a global pandemic, embarked on a new vision for public education, and tackled unforeseen State budget challenges and surpluses. Amidst all of this, Jake has been my chief advisor, strategist, and counsel. His insights and abilities have allowed us to navigate challenges the Senate of Maryland had never experienced before. I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude for his steadfast service and commitment to this work and to members of the Senate.
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If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email, bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us, or by phone, 410-841-3600.
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