April 15, 2024
Dear Neighbor,
I want to thank you for your engagement with my office throughout the 2024 Legislative Session. This was a challenging session for many reasons, one that was anticipated was the State’s budget deficit. Others were very unexpected, particularly the tragic disaster at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. However, I am pleased to share with you that this end-of-session letter includes many positive results for not only District 29 but for our entire State.
Once again, I was able to secure funding for many critical projects in our district, totaling just over $15 million. This included funding for a new mental health center serving Southern Maryland and other important projects, such as improvements for the community of Longview Beach and money towards a new fire boat for the Solomons Fire Department.
I sponsored successful legislation to strengthen sentences for indecent exposure, secure additional financial support for our farmers and watermen, and improve screening for serious diseases in newborns. I was also proud to pass legislation to ensure our small businesses working on State funded projects are paid promptly; it was this lack of payment that caused the majority of delays on the Leonardtown Route 5 expansion project. We passed legislation that stopped the expansion of the marijuana facility in Abell. We continued our work supporting our veterans, police officers, and public safety volunteers, and even gave the snakehead fish a new common name, Chesapeake Channa.
The major concern for this year was the State’s fiscal condition. Unfortunately, this will continue to be a significant issue going forward. I remain concerned that we have not passed meaningful reforms to reduce spending or create economic growth, meaning the operating budget will be more difficult to balance without revenue increases in future years. As a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee, I will continue to work toward solutions that will protect the fiscal health of our State without raising taxes on Marylanders.
You can learn more about my work during this session here. You can also visit this link if you are interested in learning more about a few of the notable bills that were passed during this session and my views on them.
I believe that it is my job as your Senator to deliver meaningful results for the people of St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties. I have tried to make the most of the opportunity that this session offered to accomplish just that for our residents, and I hope that is reflected in this letter. As always, it is my honor to serve our community and I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue working for you in Annapolis.
Sincerely,
Senator Jack Bailey