The RELIEF Act and Vaccinations

The Maryland General Assembly passed--and the Governor has now signed--the RELIEF Act during the past few days.  This was bipartisan legislation designed to offer some economic relief and assistance to those struggling with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. ​

The legislation:

• Increases the refundable earned income tax credit;
• Exempts current unemployment insurance benefits from the income tax;
• Allows small businesses to keep some short-term sales tax collections;
• Restructures short-term funding for the unemployment insurance trust fund to avoid a huge spike in payments by businesses;
• Converts numerous assistance loans to grants;
• Targets funding to food banks; utility assistance; non-profits; restaurants; and the hospitality industry;
• Provides funds to help businesses transition to telework and additional assistance to state and local transportation departments to off-set revenue losses;
• Provides extra funding to hire more Department of Labor staff to assist with unemployment;
• And much more.  You can read the entire bill here.

Many of you wrote to me about whether or not those with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) could benefit from the RELIEF Act.  Because of some quirks in the law, separate legislation is required for that subset of taxpayers which will be advanced this week.
Vaccines

​Last Friday, the Maryland Department of Health and the Montgomery County Department of Health came before the Montgomery County House Delegation to discuss the vaccine rollout.  You can watch the meeting here (the vaccine discussion commences about ten minutes into the meeting).
In short, the state still has no good answer as to why they are not planning a mass vaccination site in Montgomery County or why it is acceptable to ask people to continuously visit numerous websites for appointments to get the few available vaccine appointments.  

My seatmate, Delegate Ariana Kelly, continues to offer some of the best information about the vaccine situation.  Her latest update is here.

For those who are 65 years old or older (Phases 1B and 1C), you can pre-register with Montgomery County Department of Health for a vaccination appointment here.  Some of the other locations currently offering vaccines in the area are:

• State Mass Vaccination Site at Six Flags in Prince George's County (search Bowie, Montgomery County residents are eligible for slots at this state run site)
• Adventist HealthCare
• Giant Pharmacy
• Safeway
• Wal-Mart
• Suburban Hospital
• MedStar Health
• Kaiser Permanente

As I have individually written to so many of you, I am not happy with the situation but am simply providing the information that I have.  For those interested in the data or other information, the state Department of Health maintains this site.

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.

Legislative News

We continued to override vetoes of 2020 legislation during the past week.  Among the notable bills we overrode vetoes of are:

1. Metro/Transit Funding Act (HB 86): I authored this bill to clarify a few requirements of Maryland's dedicated Metro funding law including that Metro Board approved service enhancements would not count against the state's operating subsidy contribution cap to Metro, matching the posture of Virginia and DC.
2. Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train Expansion of Service (HB 1236): Delegate Jared Solomon's bill requires the state to enter into a pilot agreement for run-through train service into Virginia and into Delaware.
3. Rifles and Shotguns - Sales, Rentals, and Transfers (HB 4): Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary's bill closes a loop hole that allowed certain firearms transfers to avoid background checks.
4. Grants for Aging-in-Place Programs - Funding (HB 498): Delegate Terri Hill's legislation sets aside funding for aging-in-place communities and programs, including the village programs that are prominent in District 16.

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One of my 2021 session bills has passed the House and is heading over to the Senate.  The Board of Public Works Budget Reduction Clarification Act, which refines mid-year budget cutting, passed with bipartisan support.

Community News

• The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has announced that effective on or around March 1, the intersection of Executive Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road will be closed for approximately five months.  Please plan your travel accordingly and follow detour signs.
• Many of you are trying to navigate the state's unemployment system, which was simply not equipped for the volume or complexity of the current caseload.  If you are having trouble with unemployment and live in District 16, you can fill out our District 16 constituent service Google form for assistance here.
• Condolences to the family of Arne Sorenson on his passing.  Mr. Sorenson was a resident of the town of Somertset and CEO of Marriott.

Community Events

• On Saturday, February 20, 2021, Imagination Stage will honor its founder, Bonnie Fogel.
• On Saturday, February 20th at 1pm, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission will present Josiah Henson Museum & Park: Josiah Henson, The Man vs. The Myth, which will share the life and legacy of Reverend Josiah Henson and the new Josiah Henson Museum & Park.  Join the event here.
• A virtual meeting will be held on Monday, February 22nd at 7pm regarding a proposed new residential building on Bethesda Row.  To participate that evening, go to http://global.gotomeeting.com/join/852706005, or call 1-571-317-3112 and enter access code 852-706-005.
• On February 24th at 7pm, a virtual meeting will be held regarding sidewalk construction along North Chelsea Lane.  To participate, go to https://montgomerycounty.adobeconnect.com/northchelseasidewalks/.
• On Monday, March 1st, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson.  Email John Keller at [email protected] for further information.

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If you know of an upcoming District 16 event or a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences, please email [email protected].