Delegate Saab's 2022 End of Session Letter |
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The 2022 legislative session is complete, and while it is bittersweet to end my time as a Delegate, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of District 33. I want to thank you for contacting me regarding issues that are important to you and your families.
This year’s session ended on Monday, April 11th at midnight, with 834 bills passed and sent to the Governor for approval.
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Crime
Unfortunately, the soft-on-crime legislators continue to have a strong presence in Annapolis. I supported Governor Hogan’s crime package and fought with him to get parts of it passed this year.
Public safety and escalating crime are top concerns. Violent crime and juvenile crime have become shocking in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties. I appreciate the work my colleagues have put into addressing issues surrounding public safety as we seek to stop the tide of violent crime, but there has yet to be legislation that does anything to penalize those who actually pull the trigger and deflects from the need to take decisive action to hold violent criminals accountable.
Crimes - Firearms and Inmates - Enforcement, Procedures, and Reporting: It's disappointing that at the last minute, the House stripped the bill of tougher penalties for classifying theft of a firearm as a felony and increasing penalties for using a gun during a drug deal. It only kept the provisions to track gun crime data which is not enough to curb violence. I will continue to fight for meaningful legislation that addresses crime and violence.
Inflation
Inflation is essentially an indirect tax on everyday Americans. While inflation is rising everywhere, price increases are causing hardship particularly to lower-income households and seniors living on tight budgets. Nearly all their expenses go to necessities — food, gasoline, housing — a shift in demand towards these goods has seen some of the largest increases at different points over the past years. According to the most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, prices rose 8.5% in March compared to the year prior. This means that today's prices are 3.16 times higher than average prices since 1981. Families are having a difficult time meeting these higher prices and I feel that the legislature did not do enough to help Marylanders charter these price increases. You should especially be concerned about the many different tax provisions our state government has tied to the CPI. Motor fuel taxes are a good example as they are typically levied in terms of cents per gallon.
Tax Relief
In response to the enormous surplus in the Maryland budget due to federal funds dispersed during the pandemic, we urged Governor Hogan and the leadership in Annapolis to deliver meaningful tax relief to hard working families, seniors and taxpayers. With an estimated $7 billion surplus, the only thing we could get from the supermajority in Annapolis was agreement on some smaller miscellaneous relief items:
Motor Fuel Taxes - Tax-Free Period: Specifically, the bill temporarily suspends the state’s 37 cent-per-gallon gas tax for 30 days. After the 30 day freeze, the 37 cent-per-gallon gas tax will be reinstated. Although I support addressing the higher-than-ever gas prices in the short-term, this is not a long-term solution. Republicans offered amendments to extend the gas tax holiday another 45 days and was voted down by the majority party. The legislature needs to re-evaluate the entire transportation trust fund and look for a more equitable way since electric vehicles do not pay gas taxes.
As you’ve noticed, the gas tax holiday ended on April 16 and consumers are seeing high gas prices again. Of note, the gas tax is expected to automatically increase on July 1st. In 2013, a never-ending gas tax increase was passed during the O’Malley Administration that essentially ties an automatic gas tax increase to the rate of inflation. More could have been done and it’s a shame that tax relief that can help millions of Marylanders was not considered.
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The “Retirement” Tax Elimination Act: This bill takes effect July 1, 2022 and applicable to all taxable years beginning December 31, 2021. This will help 80% of our seniors. Criteria to be eligible: 1) You must be over 65 to be eligible. 2) An individual's gross income must not exceed $100,000. 3) A married couple filing jointly, both of whom meet the criteria, must not have a gross income over $150,000. Benefits: 1) An eligible individual will get a credit of $1,000 against his state taxes (but will still owe county income taxes). 2) An eligible married couple will get a credit of $1,750 against their state taxes (but will still owe county income taxes). Other information: If the credit exceeds your tax in one year, you may NOT carry the balance forward.
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The Work Opportunity Tax Credit incentivizes employers and businesses to hire and retain workers from underserved communities that have faced significant barriers to employment.
Family Budget Boosters: sales tax exemptions for child care products such as diapers, car seats, and baby bottles, and critical health products such as dental hygiene products, diabetic care products, and medical devices.
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As a proud cosponsor, Property Tax - Exemptions for Business Personal Property Alterations (HB 268), has been signed into law by the Governor. This bipartisan bill will expand the business personal property tax exemption by increasing the value of personal property eligible for an exemption. Specifically, the bill increases the exemption from $2,500 to $20,000, and removes the filing requirement for businesses eligible for exemption.
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I introduced a pro business bill that was absolutely bipartisan, Corporations and Associations - Annual Reports - Filing Fees (HB852): This bill would have helped every entrepreneur by breaking the barrier for those who want to start a small business right here in Maryland by simply eliminating the $300 filing fee. LLCs remain the most popular business structure for new businesses. Unfortunately, this bill did not receive a vote in committee.
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Military/Veterans/First Responders
David Perez Military Heroes Act (SB709): This bill speaks to a greater good and a different battlefield. The battlefield of the mind. At its core this bill is a huge first step in new treatments for those who suffer PTSD and will provide no-cost alternative treatments for Maryland's veterans surviving with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. The bill received unanimous approval in both houses.
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Public Schools - Purple Star Schools Program - Establishment (HB277): This legislation will afford school districts strong services and support for military connected students and their families.
Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day (HB479): Requires the Governor to annually proclaim the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. The proclamation must urge educational and cultural organizations to observe Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day through appropriate and informative programs and activities.
Property Tax Exemption - Disabled Veteran, Active Duty, and Surviving Spouse (HB809): Signed by the Governor! This bill allows veterans to apply for exemption prior to owning the home so that it does not count against them in qualifying for their home loan and negates the need to bring additional tax escrow funds to closing to only wait for its return.
Property Tax Credit - Disabled Law Enforcement Officers and Rescue Workers (HB285): Will expand an existing benefit to disabled federal agents. This benefit is already extended to State Officers, this bill would add federal job series: 0083 and 1811 which encompasses officers in the US Capitol Police, ATF, CIA, NIH, USPS, the Supreme Court Police, Pentagon Police – just to name a few.
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Health/Addressing the Health Care Staffing Crisis
Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment for Nurses and Nursing Support Staff (SB696):
Has been signed by the Governor. This bill will incentivize more health care workers across the State by creating the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program (MLARP) for Nurses and Nursing Workers. This loan repayment will be for nurse and nursing workers who practice a medical specialty that has been identified as being in shortage in the geographic area of the State where the individual practices. This loan repayment will put more healthcare workers in the underserved areas of the state where they are needed. I was a cosponsor of the House version. Raises were also funded for caregivers and support staff that are so integral to our health care system.
Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services - 9-8-8 Trust Fund (HB293): Legislation passed that establishes, in law, 9-8-8 as a universal number for mental health crises and suicide prevention. This transition to "988" for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is an opportunity to reimagine how Maryland responds to residents in a suicidal or mental health crisis. 988 will be live nationwide by July 16, 2022. This bill also establishes a 988 Trust Fund and a $10M appropriation to support local call centers in the launch of the 988 system.
Public Health - Maryland Suicide Fatality Review Committee (HB48): Establishes a suicide fatality review committee to help inform statewide prevention strategies.
Abortion Care Access Act (HB937): This bill, that passed along party lines, requires insurance companies to cover abortion services at no cost to the patient – even though life-saving surgeries, cancer treatments, and even childbirth services do not have the same benefit. The bill also expands the practitioners who can perform abortions to non-doctors and creates a taxpayer-funded program of 3.5million per year to train providers to perform abortions.
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Education
Public High Schools - Financial Literacy Curriculum (HB985): As a proud cosponsor, this bill passed the House but did not make it out of the Senate. This bill would have required the Maryland State Board of Education to develop and implement a financial literacy curriculum as a graduation requirement for public high schools. It is critically important that we invest in our youth and prepare them with as many resources as possible so they may demonstrate smart financial habits for a strong and successful future.
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State Department of Education - Child Care Stabilization Grants (SB480/HB89): I proudly supported legislation to provide state financial aid for existing licensed child care providers via establishing a Child Care Stabilization Grant Program that would incentivize new providers to come into the market via a Child Care Expansion Grant Program.
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Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Implementation Plans and Funds - Alterations (HB1450): Which updates the implementation timeline and clarifies funding for The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The bill will enable the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), MSDE, and local school systems to carry out planning and stakeholder engagement as they continue the work of implementing this education plan to which $800 million has been allotted in the budget.
Environment
Chesapeake Bay Lockbox Protection Act of 2022 (HB921): Is a bill I introduced. It would have prioritized government accountability and would have safeguarded funds for our beloved Chesapeake Bay and our waterways by creating a lock box to guarantee that those funds will never be used for anything but its intended purposes. It is disappointing that this bill didn’t earn a vote in committee, even though history has shown that this fund has been targeted and funds have been diverted.
Great Maryland Outdoors Act (SB541): Groundbreaking piece of legislation passed that makes a significant investment in developing park infrastructure, transportation to parks, park maintenance, and many other improvements to state parks.
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Federal/State Redistricting
The average citizen has become aware of extreme gerrymandering more than ever before, forcing the judicial branch and the legislative branch to respond like never before. As you may know, Maryland is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation. Although both political parties are at fault, the American people across all aisles want change and restoration of our election process.
I have always supported citizens picking their representatives and not the other way around. This session, The majority party drafted and passed an extremely "partisan" or gerrymandered map (LRAC) that was challenged in the Court of Appeals for being in violation of Maryland's Constitution. The court agreed and ordered the legislature to draw a new map that has since passed and signed by the Governor. Though not perfect, this map better respects natural boundaries and communities.
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State Legislative Maps
New legislative maps that address boundaries for the state legislators were brought to the General Assembly and were also challenged in court for violating Maryland’s Constitution. Unfortunately, the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld the state legislative redistricting map.
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Cannabis
I voted against this bill for the simple reason that legalization of cannabis could have been enacted this legislative session without the added step of a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot during the 2022 election. While supporters of the Constitutional Amendment may find its addition to the election ballot increases voter turnout, it unnecessarily adds a federally illegal substance to the Maryland Constitution. If approved by Maryland voters, those 21 years old and older will have access to the newly created market which would be enacted in July 2023.
Operating Budget
Fiscal 2023 Budget Bill (SB290): The only action the General Assembly is required to take during the legislative session is to pass a balanced budget. Considering the ensuing inflation, I am concerned about the increase of the state budget by 10.5%. This $61 billion budget enhances the state’s savings accounts by putting over $2 billion back into the Rainy Day Fund and leaving a $211 million cash balance in the General Fund, which is a positive. But the vast majority of the budget is mandated spending through bills passed by the General Assembly, which is why I consider each bill carefully.
Crownsville Hospital Grounds
The Board of Public Works declared the Crownsville Hospital Property as surplus to the Maryland Dept. of Health. This is the first official step in the transfer of the property to the county.
Anne Arundel County Bond Bills:
We had eight projects in District 33. The following were funded through Bond Initiatives on either the Senate or House side, or both:
- Severna Park American Legion Post 175 - $55,000
- Benfield Elementary School - $60,000
- Kingdom Kare Veterans Resources Center - $850,000
- Anne Arundel County Food Bank - $200,000
- Crownsville Hospital Patient Cemetery Memorial - $100,000
- Senior Dog Sanctuary - $100,000
- Pascal Crisis Center - $350,000
- South Shore Recovery Club (SSRC) - $28,970
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Everything we do must prioritize the safety and health of our residents. There are plenty of bipartisan agreements that demonstrate that regardless of political party, leaders come together to deliver vital services and economic relief for families, seniors, and small businesses. If you are interested in specific topics that were not mentioned above, we will be happy to provide you with those details. Contact me at (410)841-3551or sid.saab@house.state.md.us through December if I can be of any help to you or your families.
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As I’ve mentioned, this will be my last session as a Delegate. It has been my honor and privilege to serve you as your voice in Annapolis. I hope that I will be fortunate enough to continue my service to you in the State Senate.
At your service,
Delegate Sid Saab
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