This month we are reminded of those who sacrificed so much to travel to America from Ireland in search of better opportunities. Through hope and determination, immigrants, such as the Irish, have built a better life for their families and their newly established communities here in Maryland and throughout the United States.

Sláinte!

On Thursday, we had a briefing from the Bureau of Revenue Estimates which decreased the December 2022 projections for both Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024. Individual income taxes and sales taxes are projected to be lower, and corporate income taxes as well as interest on investments are projected to be higher.

The result is a $77,368 million decrease in revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2023 and a $400,265 million decrease in Fiscal Year 2024 projections.

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting several District 9B students who were recognized for their National History Day achievements: Simrah Khan, Charlotte Tettelin, Helen Zhu, and Sabrina Wang, all of whom attend Burleigh Manor Middle, and Ryan Zhou, who attends Howard High school.

Conducted by Maryland Humanities, Maryland History Day is a year-long educational program in which students showcase their research through interpretive papers, performances, exhibits, documentaries, and websites. In 2022, more than 25,000 Maryland students from 21 counties and Baltimore City participated in History Day.

We are so proud of our Howard County students!

This March, Howard County's Office of Emergency Management will hold two public meetings to gather public input and discuss the County's Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and Flood Mitigation Plan. The first meeting will be held in-person on Wednesday, March 22nd from 4:00 to 5:00 PM in the Frances Hackley Multipurpose Room at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Columbia.

The second meeting will be hosted virtually on March 29th - you can register here!

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will hold his second Residents' Budget Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget cycle on Monday, March 13th at 6 pm. The budget hearing will be held virtually and can be watched live from the County Council's website. The hearing will be listed under "Upcoming Events."

Residents can find more information and sign-up to speak at the virtual hearing by going to the Howard County Budget Testimony page. Sign-ups will be open until March 13th at 5 pm. For other questions or any problems regarding registration, you can contact the Howard County Budget Office at 410-313-2077.

The Howard County Public School System Class of 2022 achieved a graduation rate of 94.59%, a 1.81 percentage point increase from the Class of 2019. The HCPSS 2022 graduation rate exceeds the 2022 Maryland average of 86.3 percent and is the highest rate since 2011.

HCPSS Superintendent Michael J. Martirano has consistently emphasized the importance of improving graduation rates, especially among student groups who have lagged behind their peers. “Graduation is our north star and a culmination of the hard work by each student, staff member and parent/guardian from the time the student enters our doors until the day they graduate. While our graduation rate is an achievement that should be celebrated, we will also continue to recognize the disparities that persist among student groups and continue to address these gaps. As we look to the future, we must ensure that every graduate is prepared to be successful in life after high school. Our focus remains steadfast on providing individual supports so that every student can achieve on their academic journey.”

Artists’ Gallery on Main Street, Ellicott City will host its 2023 Regional Juried Art show from March 1 - March 26. Some of the selected work will be displayed in the gallery and all juried work will be seen on the website and available to purchase on the online store: https://artists-gallery.square.site/

For more information visit https://www.artistsgalleryec.com/

The Horizon Foundation is hosting their next community summit on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 9 am to 2 pm at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center. The event is called Reimagining Good Health for All: Dismantling Systemic Racism in Howard County.

The event will focus on how we can come together as a community to break down systemic barriers to good health. Registration is now open. You can sign up to receive updates and registration information about this event here.

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the State Highway Administration provided updates on various roadway projects throughout Howard County.

(Click on the image above to be taken to the application.)

National Read Across America Day was on March 2nd. On the way to session, I was able to drop off two great books for children in need of reading materials - I am Jazz and Green.

I even met Elmo on my way to the floor!

Patapsco Heritage Greenway is hosting their fifth annual Patapsco Days during the month of March. PHG will be hosting various events, including workshops, lectures, and community cleanups, throughout this month. To see the full list of events and sign up, visit their website.

As the non-profit managing organization for the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area, Patapsco Heritage Greenway is dedicated to preserving, protecting, interpreting, and restoring the environment, history and culture of Maryland’s most dramatic river valley for all.

Instacart workers who made deliveries in DC may be eligible for a cash refund of $150 or more—but workers need to file an online claim form by March 25 to get their money. You do not need to be a DC resident to be eligible.

Because of a lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney General, Instacart workers who made at least one delivery in DC between October 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018 can receive cash payments of at least $150. As many as 10,000 workers across the DC region could be eligible to receive these payments.

Workers must fill out an online claim form by March 25, 2023, to qualify for payment. More information and the online claim form are available at: instacartworkerrefundsdc.com

Daylight saving time is coming up on Sunday, March 12. Make sure to change your clocks and change your batteries in your smoke alarms.

Email: Courtney.Watson@house.state.md.us

Web: mlis.state.md.us