MARC KORMAN
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LATEST NEWS

Vaccinations and a New Legislative Session

1/12/2021

 
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Dear Friend:

​Typically I send an email the first day of the legislative session that primarily focuses on the legislative agenda for the coming 90 days.  But given the public health crisis and concerns about the vaccine roll-out, I will start there.  I have spent a significant amount of time the past three weeks or so communicating with many of you about the general problems with the vaccine roll-out and worked to answer specific questions about the phases and availability of the vaccine.  I believe two points can be simultaneously true: First, Maryland's vaccination roll-out is unacceptably slow and confusing with a dearth of necessary communication.  Second, Maryland's vaccination roll-out is not all that different than many other states suffering the same issues.
There is obviously a lot to say about this issue, but my best advice to constituents is to sign up for the Montgomery County vaccine email distribution list here.

Emails from the County should keep you informed about what Phase of the vaccine roll-out we are in; how to register for a vaccine; and where to go.  Again, there is a lot to say about this issue but that is my suggestion as a starting point.

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.

2021 Legislative Session

The 442nd session of the Maryland General Assembly convenes today.  Every year I send a similar message to mark the start of the legislative session and describe the bills I plan to introduce.  But this year I must also acknowledge that the General Assembly is convening at an unprecedented time as we continue a public health pandemic; an ensuing economic recession; and ongoing concerns about our democracy.  These are realities we must keep in mind as we embark on our work for the people of Maryland.

I am currently sponsoring seven pieces of legislation.  That said, I think the most significant legislation we will pass this session will be related to COVID-19 response and recovery including legislation reforming our Unemployment Insurance system; a housing package; aid for small businesses; broadband expansion; and taking advantage of the lessons we have learned about telework.  Although I am not the primary author of these bills, their development and advancement will be a part of my work these next 90 days.

Moreover, there are numerous other issues in which we will be engaged including police reform; the local legislation I help oversee as chair of the 24 member Montgomery County House Delegation; and my work in overseeing and approving the state budget as the Chair of the Transportation & Environment Subcommittee of Appropriations.  It will be a busy legislative session.

Although it will be difficult for constituents to visit Annapolis this year, one silver lining of the pandemic is that much of our legislative work will be more accessible through more web streaming of our activities; the ability to submit testimony remotely; and the possibility of testifying virtually.  Please visit the Maryland General Assembly website to keep track of our meetings and activities or just reply to this email with any questions.

The legislation I am sponsoring includes:
  • Climate Counsel Act: Around 100 years ago, Maryland became the first state to establish a ratepayer advocate to ensure ratepayer interests were protected by the state's Public Service Commission, the regulator of utilities.  The Climate Counsel Act would replicate that model by creating an advocate for the state's environmental interests.
  • Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act: Maryland has ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals and transitioning the approximately 800 bus state fleet to all electric will help achieve that goal.  The legislation passed the House last year but not the Senate.
  • Electric Vehicle Infrastructure for Multi-Family Units Act: This issue was brought to me by a constituent who was having difficulty installing electric vehicle charging equipment in their building.  The bill would create a set of rules for such installations.  The same bill passed the House, but not the Senate, in 2019 and 2020.
  • Maryland Department of Transportation Promises Act: The Governor continues to move ahead with a Public Private Partnership (P3) to expand I-270 and I-495 with toll lanes.  The Administration has made many lofty promises about this project--some of which it is already backing off of--and this legislation would put in statute the Administration's own guarantees.
  • Board of Public Works Reduction Clarification Act: When the legislature is not in session, the state's Board of Public Works (the Governor; Comptroller; and Treasurer) have certain budget cutting authority to maintain the state's balanced budget.  This legislation would clarify the limits of that authority and improve transparency of any cuts.
  • Maryland Transparency Act of 2021: This legislation would expand on prior work to require various boards and commissions of the state to video stream their meetings, a reform made even more important by the COVID-19 restrictions on holding in person meetings that individuals can attend.
  • Maryland Environment Services Reform Act: Over the summer news broke that the former Director of the quasi-governmental agency, the Maryland Environmental Service, took a large severance payment for himself when transitioning to become the Governor's new chief of staff, a position he has since resigned from.  An investigation ensued that found many other instances of this individual enriching themselves through their work in Maryland government.  This legislation would reform the agency to prevent a recurrence of such despicable behavior.  You can read more about this effort here.

Again, these issues and bills are just a small sampling of how my time will be spent over the next 90 days.  I will be sure to keep you posted but please contact me anytime.  The office phone number is 301-858-3649 and my email address is Delegate.M.Korman@house.state.md.us (or just reply to this email to reach me).

Legislative News

I highlighted the legislation I "pre-filed" above, but you can read all of the other bills that have been introduced in the House already by visiting here.  There is also a Senate button you can click on.  Further legislation will be introduced during the first weeks of the legislative session.
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I also chair the 24-member Montgomery County House Delegation to Annapolis.  Among our work is considering bills that only affect Montgomery County (and some bills that implicate Montgomery and Prince George's County bicounty agencies).  Because of the pandemic, the Delegation worked through December and over the holidays to advance almost all of our bills through the Delegation process and on to the regular General Assembly process.  You can review those bills and their status here.

Transportation News

There is always a great deal of interest regarding the Governor's proposed Public Private Partnership to widen I-270 and I-495 with toll lanes.  The Hogan Administration recently received proposals from three short-listed teams in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a so-called Phase Public Private Partnership Agreement, an arrangement by which the state will hire a Project Developer to guide Phase 1 of the road widening which includes the American Legion Bridge; I-495 to I-270; the Spur; and I-270 north to I-70 (although the area north of I-370 is far behind the rest because environmental review has not begun.  You can read the RFP and related information here.  You can read some of my concerns with the process and project here.
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A significantly growing complaint in many parts of the district has been increased overhead helicopter noise.  Congressmembers Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and several area colleagues requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) review the issue and the GAO recently issued its report.
COVID-19

Montgomery County is decoupled from the statewide changes to what is open and what is not to deal with the public health crisis.  You can track the current rules in Montgomery County here.  The County's COVID-19 data dashboard can be viewed online as well.  There is also a state dashboard online.

I also recommend tracking state vaccine data here: 

And you can see our progress in the national and international context here.
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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.  The Department of Labor website (https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uibenefits.shtml) is your entryway for unemployment benefits.  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.  The District 16 Team has been in regular contact with the Department of Labor to try and resolve individual cases.

Community Events
  • On Monday, February 1, 2021, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.  Email John Keller at keller.johnw@gmail.com for further information.
  • On Saturday, February 20, 2021, Imagination Stage will honor its founder, Bonnie Fogel: 

Community News
  • Congratulations to several District 16 residents who have recently been appointed to County Boards and Commissions:
    • John Brewer, Agricultural Advisory Committee
    • Srinivasamohan Narayan, Solid Waste Advisory Committee
    • Otto Gonzalez and Donald Haskins, County-wide Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
  • ​District 16's Dr. Christine Berg published a recent op-ed in the Capital Gazette regarding the Transportation & Climate Initiative. 
  • Anna Palmisano of District 16 recently published an op-ed on patients' rights.
  • Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin and Former County Councilman Bruce Adams—both residents of District 16—were recently inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame.
  • Congratulations to Joe Gebhardt on his election to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee representing District 16, succeeding David Shumaker.
​
​If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences or an upcoming event, please email marc@marckorman.com.

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