| The Maryland General Assembly has reached the halfway point of the 2025 Legislative Session. I wanted to provide to you an update on the work that I have done over the last 45 days to address important issues to Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties and our State as a whole, as well as some updates on other issues the General Assembly is facing this session. Sponsored Legislation I am proud to have sponsored a substantial package of 18 bills for consideration during this session. These bills cover a wide variety of issues, including public safety, supporting our local small businesses, natural resources, and honoring our hometown heroes. You can find more details about these bills at this link. As the session continues, you can find up-to-date information on all of the legislation that I have sponsored or co-sponsored from the General Assembly’s website. I have also introduced three Legislative Bond Initiatives on behalf of local communities and organizations seeking State funding for capital projects in our District. These include the Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, the St. Mary’s Elks Lodge, and Annmarie Sculpture Gardens and Arts Center. These will be considered as part of the Senate’s deliberations on the State’s capital budget later this session. Co-Sponsored Legislation In addition to my sponsored legislation, I am also happy to be supporting a number of other efforts by our Republican Caucus to improve public safety, protect our students, and secure our elections. You can find more information on these initiatives by clicking here. Along with these bills, the Joint Republican Caucus has introduced Senate Bill 387, the Protecting Marylanders From Violent Offenders Act of 2025, which would require law enforcement and corrections officials to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and transfer undocumented immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security when requested if the undocumented immigrant was convicted of a violent crime, terrorism, participation in a criminal street gang, or an aggravated felony such as trafficking drugs or firearms. I strongly support this legislation. Budget and Energy At this time last year, I wrote that, without meaningful reforms to reduce spending or spur economic growth, the budget would become more difficult to balance without revenue increases. Unfortunately, while the operating budget as introduced by the Governor does reduce spending in some parts of State government, it also relies on tax increases to balance the budget. I strongly disagree with this approach. Maryland cannot tax its way out of this deficit. The proposed budget raises taxes on Marylanders who earn over $500,000, with an additional tax bracket for Marylanders earning more than $1 million. These income tax hikes would not only affect individuals and families, but also small businesses that report their income as part of their personal returns. The proposal also imposes a new surcharge on capital gains income over $350,000, requires a 75-cent fee on retail deliveries, and reduces the estate tax exemption threshold from $5 million to $2 million, which will require more Marylanders to pay estate tax. Just like our constituents, the General Assembly has to make difficult decisions on how to best live within our means. This has to include conversations on how to reduce the spending required to implement large new programs such as the Blueprint for education and the Climate Solutions Now Act. Maryland’s economy is stagnant, and we have the second-worst job growth rate in the country – the solution is fiscal discipline, not raising taxes on our State’s citizens and businesses. I have also heard from many of you about how you are paying substantially higher energy bills. These higher prices are driven, at least in part, by legislation from Annapolis, such as the Climate Solutions Now Act, the expansion of programs paid for with utility bill fees, the acceleration of renewable energy mandates, and the limitation on energy choice for Marylanders – all of which I voted against. Maryland must reevaluate these misguided policies, and pass legislation that will lower costs and improve energy reliability across our state. I look forward to the opportunity to consider meaningful changes to Maryland’s energy policies this year that will prioritize ratepayers and reliability while affirming the importance of facilities that are key to energy production, particularly Calvert Cliffs and Cove Point. Other Issues I also wanted to take the opportunity to discuss some other notable issues that many of you have contacted my office about this session so that you can be aware of my position: Yet again, we are seeing far too many bills targeting the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Maryland. These include House Bill 387, an effort to impose an 11% excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and accessories, as well as House Bill 937, which would double the sales tax rate for firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition from 6% to 12%. These bills infringe on our Second Amendment rights – I strongly oppose them. Senate Bill 292 would impair the ability of police officers to enforce numerous traffic violations by making them secondary offenses, meaning an officer could not pull over a driver solely for those infractions. This legislation will make the work of law enforcement more difficult and would make our streets more dangerous for law-abiding Marylanders – I do not support this legislation. Senate Bill 824 would allow for sales of beer and wine in chain stores, supermarkets, and discount houses. I oppose this bill because of the effects that it would have on our local small businesses and our community. House Bill 28 would require all counties, including Calvert and St. Mary’s, to adopt a charter form of government. The people of each county currently have the ultimate say about the form of government they choose to have – this is where that authority should remain. I oppose this bill and any effort to impose charter or code home rule government on Calvert or St. Mary’s Counties without the consent of the voters of that County. We have also once again seen an assisted suicide bill introduced – Senate Bill 926. I will continue to oppose this legislation. Senatorial Scholarship – Deadline April 1 My office is now accepting applications for Senatorial scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year. This scholarship is available to students who permanently reside in District 29 and who either plan to attend a Maryland institution of higher education or have been approved for unique major status by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. More information, including the application, is available under the Scholarship Tab on this website. Please read the informational letter and instructions carefully before applying. The deadline to apply is is April 1, 2025. Thank you for your continued engagement on the important issues facing Southern Maryland. As always, it is an honor to serve you in Annapolis. |