Budget Hearings

Much of the work in Annapolis is done through committees.  Unlike Capitol Hill and other state legislatures, each Delegate only serves on one of six legislative committees.  I serve on the Appropriations Committee which has jurisdiction over the budget, as well as policy affecting state personnel and higher education.  Because we only serve one one committee, the expectation is that we attend committee hearings unless our own bill is being heard elsewhere.  If you watch a committee hearing in Annapolis, you will notice far more members in attendance than you see at most hearings on C-SPAN.  My committee also does a lot of work in subcommittee, as we review the budget request for each state agency.  You can read the analyses we use for each agency by visiting this website.  As the non-partisan Department of Legislative Services releases the analyses, they will be posted.

As always, you can always keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.

Legislative News

I have introduced several more pieces of legislation this week including the Maryland Pension Climate Change Risk Act, which would have our pension fund take the issue of climate change seriously as many other institutional investors do; The Career and Technology Education Workforce Investment Act, which would create a program for career and technical education equipment to be purchased for our schools; andlegislation that would help our state workers union address the effects of a Supreme Court decision that will likely make it easier for those the union represents to free-ride off of the dues of other members.
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Bills I have previously discussed are also working their way through the committee process.  Last week, hearings were held on several of my bills including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Extension Act (HB 230), which involves our state's involvement in a regional cap and trade program for power plants.  The legislation is on the floor of the full House of Delegates this week.

Metro

The WMATA-Metro Work Group has already held several meetings during the 2018 legislative session.  Our guests have included the Managing Director of Metro's Office of Management and Budget and the Managing Director of Planning.  A complete schedule for the session is available here.
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I joined with several other Montgomery County legislators to remind Metro about its Board's pledge to eliminate the "Grosvenor Turnback" on the Red Line, whereby half of the outward bound Red Line trains turn back towards Washington, DC at the Grosvenor-Strathmore station.  You can read the letter here.  Metro promptly wrote back regarding the options it is looking at to eliminate or reduce the turnback.

Administration News

Last week's email included information about the State of the State Address from the Governor.  You can read the speech on the Governor's website.

Campaign News

Local political blog The Seventh State recently analyzed the District 16 race for Delegate.  You can read their views by clicking here.
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The District 16 Team (Senator Susan Lee, Delegate Ariana Kelly, and I) have held two of our series of meet and greets so far.  The remaining schedule is below.  Please join us at one of these meet and greets to discuss the issues that matter to you as we look towards the 2018 election.  Email joe@marckorman.com for further information.
FEBRUARY 24—Old Stage Road (North Bethesda, Farmland, Luxmanor) hosted by Susan Weinmann
FEBRUARY 25—Ridge Road (Bethesda) hosted by Jennifer Martin
MARCH 4—Parkston Road (Westbard) hosted by Mike Beland
APRIL 23—Glenbrook Road (Edgemoor, Battery Park) hosted by Nancy Greenspan
APRIL 24—New London Drive (Potomac) hosted by Tazeen Ahmad
APRIL 25—Somerset House (Friendship Heights) hosted by Margie Sonnenfeldt

Community Events

• The Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will host a meeting onThursday, February 15 at 7:30am with several candidates for Montgomery County Executive.  The meetings take place at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.

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​If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences or an upcoming event, please email marc@marckorman.com.