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Before COVID-19, on President's Day a member of the House of Delegates would give a speech honoring George Washington. Similar speeches were offered on another night for Abraham Lincoln, always by a member of the Republican Party, and for Martin Luther King, Jr., always by a member of the Legislative Black Caucus. In 2018 I had the honor of giving the Washington Day address which I was reflecting on as we observed President's Day this week. You can click to hear my 2018 address on YouTube (it pre-dates video streaming in the House Chamber).  As always, you can keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or by clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.
Transportation Update The proposed addition of two new lanes in each direction on a portion of I-495 and I-270 continues to be an issue of concern in District 16. While I have yet to meet a constituent who enjoys traffic, many have raised environmental and fiscal concerns with the Governor's proposal. For the past three years, the House of Delegates has passed legislation to reform or reign in the project and, each year, the Senate has failed to act on any legislation even slightly related to this project (our own senator, Senator Susan Lee, has been a stalwart supporter of reform and oversight). Although the legislative process has run aground, there has been some recent action by the courts. Last week, a judge ruled that a losing bidder's protest had to be substantively considered by the Maryland Department of Transportation which had attempted to throw out the protest for timing reasons. I have no insight into the losing bidder's protest but the issues they have raised--that the winning bidder's proposal is not financially feasible and that it must have a construction partner--seem worthy of consideration and are of concern. Legislative Update Since my last newsletter, I had a marathon day of bill hearings with four hearings in one day. The Health and Government Operations Committee heard the Maryland State Agency Transparency Act of 2022, which requires quasi-state agencies to video stream their meetings and post their materials publicly. Senator Cheryl Kagan is the lead in the Senate. You can view that hearing here. In the Appropriations Committee, I presented three of my bills: The WMATA Dedicated Funding Amendments Act revises the dedicated funding inflation escalator for the regional transit system, contingent on the other jurisdictions doing the same. You can watch that hearing here. HB 458 is a bill to reform our collective bargaining law for state employees to including binding arbitration. That hearing can be found here. The Independent Agency Health Insurance Option Act would allow a few quasi-governmental agencies to buy into the state's health insurance plan. That hearing is available here. ----- A few weeks ago, I mentioned some of the broader priorities for the Maryland General Assembly in 2022. One of those was Helping Families Afford Basic Needs. Democratic Delegates recently announced a package of bills expanding sales tax exemptions to baby products and diapers, oral hygiene products, and certain medical products, as well as a broader bill to incentivize hiring through tax benefits. Another broader priority was Protecting Women's Reproductive Health. Democratic Delegates also announced a legislative package on that topic including enshrining Roe v. Wade's holding into the Maryland constitution (it is already in state statute), removing cost barriers for reproductive health care, and expanding providers. A big shout-out to Delegate Ariana Kelly, who is leading the way on these issues. Community Events
Last Thursday was the deadline to introduce legislation to be guaranteed a hearing date, one of the rules that governs the legislative process at the state level that helps us function.  I am the primary sponsor of 12 pieces of legislation, many of which I have discussed in prior emails. Since my last update, I introduced two bills.
The Maryland Rail Investment Act (HB 1324) would create a new, independent authority to build and manage rail projects in Maryland, funded by existing tolls on roads, bridges, and tunnels similar to the approach in several other states. The Children With Disabilities-Costs of Teacher Salaries bill (HB 1301) builds on work Senator Zucker and I did last year to ensure that teachers at special needs schools, which are dominated by students placed there by the public school system, are adequately compensated. As always, you can keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or by clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook. Subcommittee Update As chair of the Transportation and Environment Subcommittee on Appropriations, I get to oversee several state agencies involved in transportation and environmental issues. Our non-partisan budget staff, the Department of Legislative Services, prepares a brief on each agency before we consider their budget. Last week, the Subcommittee heard several budgets including the budget for Maryland's contribution to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). You can watch that hearing here starting at minute 17 and read the Department of Legislative Services analysis here. My subcommittee also held an oversight briefing on the Purple Line, a project I support but that has been deeply troubled. You can watch that hearing here. One of the reasons I appreciate serving on the Appropriations Committee is because it offers a real opportunity for legislative oversight of the executive branch. Legislative Update Since my last newsletter, several pieces of legislation I sponsored had hearings. Before the Environment and Transportation Committee, I presented a bill brought to me by a constituent--the Motor Vehicle Registration Clarification Act (HB 368) that clarifies the timing of when the Motor Vehicle Administration can issue penalties for turned in licensed plates with canceled insurance. You can watch the hearing here. During a Ways & Means Committee hearing on an employee-owned business tax bill (HB 403), I was stuck in a budget hearing but my aide, Joseph Swit, pinch hit for me and did a great job. You can watch that hearing here. Finally, before the Ways & Means Committee, I presented the Young Readers Program Expansion Act (HB 383), a bill to expand a non-profit program that sends a book a month to kids under 5. Watch that hearing here. ----- On Monday, the Maryland Transit Caucus heard from the head of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the head of the Maryland Transit Administration. You can watch that briefing here on the Caucus' YouTube page. ----- A few weeks ago, I mentioned some of the broader priorities for the Maryland General Assembly in 2022. One of those was expanding access to affordable childcare and you can watch a press briefing on the package of bills to support that effort here. Election Update As is to now be expected, the recent Congressional and legislative redistricting has led to a round of litigation. As a result, the Maryland Court of Appeals has delayed the candidate filing deadline from February 22 to March 22. ----- I am pleased to announce that my re-election has been endorsed by two advocacy groups. The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) and CASA In Action both recently announced that they would support me for another term. Community Events
Prior to the pandemic, every February, members of the Legislative Black Caucus would share short Maryland historical speeches during Black History Month. As we are in Black History Month, I thought I would share a little bit of Black History in the Maryland General Assembly. 1954 was the breakthrough year for African Americans, as three were elected to the General Assembly for the first time. In the House, Emory Cole and Truly Hatchett were elected. In the Senate, Harry Cole was elected. In 1958, Verda Welcome was elected the first female African American Delegate and then the first female African American State Senator four years later. Senator Welcome's portrait now hangs in the Senate chamber.  As always, you can keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or by clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.
Pension Update The state pension is a niche issue I am sometimes asked about, often as a proxy for the state's overall fiscal health and responsibility. A recent update from the Joint Committee on Pensions and the annual budget analysis of the State Retirement Agency provide a good and current lay of the land. The pension is 76.2% funded and projected to reach 80% funding (a strong benchmark the rating agencies look at) in fiscal year 2025. That is after many years of difficult decisions around the pension including changing impacts on employees, shifting some burdens to the counties, and increasing the state taxpayer contribution. The state tax dollar contribution to the pension fund for fiscal year 23 is $1.8b, with $373m from local school boards. You can read a lot more in the annual budget analysis and Joint Pensions Committee Report. Legislative Update Since my last newsletter, I had a hearing on my bill related to the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF). The legislation (HB 377) will allow the state's auto-insurer of last result to offer more flexible and affordable installment plans instead of forcing drivers to choose between paying interest rates for insurance premiums or driving without insurance. You can watch the hearing here. The bill has since been voted favorably out of the Economic Matters Committee. I also had the bill hearing on the Green School Construction Act (HB 365), legislation to encourage more environmentally responsible school construction projects in the state. You can watch that hearing here. ----- Last week, the Maryland Transit Caucus heard from the Department of Legislative Services and the American Public Transportation Association about the federal infrastructure bill. You can watch the briefing here, on the Transit Caucus's YouTube page. ----- A few years ago, I worked with several colleagues to create a state matching funds program for local government to establish summer Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) programs. The latest report on the program recently arrived. Six jurisdictions (including Montgomery County) have been awarded state taxpayer funds to match their own local taxpayer funds to feed 3,996 students during the summer months. But there is still unbelievable need. Governor Hogan included over $4 million in his budget request to radically increase the size of the program--which began with a $200,000 mandated appropriation. You can read the report here. Community News Condolences to the family of Carl Leventhal. Dr. Leventhal was an active District 16 constituent and father of former Councilmember George Leventhal. ----- Congratulations to two Bethesda residents on their nominations to the Montgomery County Library Board: James Montgomery and Marilyn Schiff ----- Congratulations to District 16's Leni Preston, who was appointed to the Policy Committee for the Maryland Commission on Health Equity. Community Events
I often get caught up in these emails discussing the legislation I introduce or the work of my committee (Appropriations) and subcommittee (Transportation & Environment). This week I want to step back and discuss some of the broader agenda items the House of Delegates will be taking up during the legislative session.  In no particular order, some of the issues are: Climate Solutions: We have made a lot of incremental progress on climate policy in the state of Maryland but this year we are poised for major legislative gains with an increased greenhouse gas reduction goal, regulation of methane emissions from landfills, promotion of just transition for workers in the fossil fuel economy, and much more. Expanding Family and Medical Leave: The House of Delegates is poised to pass this expanded leave program for workers this year. I want to give particular credit to my seatmate, Delegate Ariana Kelly, for leading the way on this issue. Helping Families Afford Basic Needs: The House Ways & Means Committee will promote legislation to expand the categories of goods that are not subject to the sales tax, such as diapers. Banning Ghost Guns: Under the leadership of Attorney General Brian Frosh and District 16's own Senator Susan Lee, the legislature will take on the growing threat of self-assembling and untraceable ghost guns. Greater Judicial Transparency: There will be a robust discussion over what visibility there is into the judicial system and judicial decision-making, as the General Assembly seeks to strike the right balance between judicial independence and adequate oversight by the legislature and the public of the judicial system. Legalizing Cannabis: The General Assembly plans to send to the voters a ballot question regarding whether or not the state should legalize recreational cannabis. It will likely be up for a vote this November. Expanding Women's Reproductive Health: Regardless of Supreme Court politics or decisions, Maryland has codified the right for a woman to choose an abortion into law. Legislation this year will work to ensure that right has practical meaning by clarifying who can perform procedures and their costs. Expanding Childcare: Even prior to the pandemic there was a shortage of childcare providers and the costs were too high, challenges only heightened by COVID-19. A legislative package this year will work to expand the provider base and cost assistance. Improving Infrastructure: The federal infrastructure bill has created a once in a generation opportunity to invest in our infrastructure and the House of Delegates will provide necessary oversight of this process. Of course, there will be over 3000 bills introduced during the legislative session and many other issues to tackle. But these represent some significant priorities. As always, you can keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or by clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook. Administration Update Sticking with my theme, a few people wrote back last week to note that my discussion of the Governor's budget did not include his tax proposals. As I serve on the Appropriations Committee, and not the Ways & Means Committee that deals with taxes, I sometimes gloss over that side of the ledger but it is important.  The Governor has proposed three basic tax changes: (1) Phase out of income taxes on all retiree income; (2) Elimination of the business filing fee for online filers; and (3) Extension of the Earned Income Tax Credit the General Assembly passed--and the Governor signed--last year. There are a few things to keep in mind about these proposals, which will be considered as part of budget negotiations. Regarding retiree income, the annual cost of the Governor's proposal rises to $730 million a year by 2027 and there are no restrictions based on the amount of income or tax bracket of the beneficiary. As to the Earned Income Tax Credit, it does not need to be extended until next year and the Governor excluded certain taxpayers the General Assembly previously included. Finally, tax reductions are not "free" but represent foregone revenue. Unlike the federal government, the state has to have a balanced budget each year. We are in a moment of budget surplus, but a lot of it represents "one time" money which will be spent over time and we will end up with projected deficits again.
Legislative Update I have introduced several more bills since my last newsletter that will soon be assigned for hearings:
The General Assembly has adopted the constitutionally required maps for state legislative district redistricting, something we must do every decade in response to the new census. For District 16, the only change is shifting precinct 04-32--the neighborhoods around Cabin John Mall and the Ivymount School--to District 15, which was their district before the 2010 census redistricting. You can browse the new map--which is subject to litigation--here. Community News District 16's Lily Freeman was front-and-center last week as Moms Demand Action came to Annapolis to advocate against ghost guns. You can watch her speak here. Lily was one of my high school interns last year! ----- Congratulations to another student in District 16, Zayn Bandukwalia, on being appointed to the Montgomery County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Advisory Council. Community Events
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January 2025
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