March 13, 2026

Ready Report: Fighting for Government Accountability, Vagrancy Bill Update & Scholarship Opportunity

The ninth week of the 90-day 2026 Legislative Session in Annapolis has concluded. To watch my weekly video update, budget and more, click the picture below.

Ready in the Press – Governor Moore’s Appointment to School Inspector General

From Fox45: In the last three years, combined state and local funding for public schools exceeded $40 billion in the State of Maryland. This is why the Inspector General for Education position is so important. The current Inspector General for Education has worked since 2020 investigating how these dollars are spent. He has uncovered ghost students, improper grade changing and schools violating federal disability law. Although he applied for a second term, Governor Moore has decided to “take the position in a different direction.” You can read the full story by clicking here.

From Maryland Matters: Earlier this week I casted a “no” vote in opposition to the appointment of a Moore administration attorney to the soon-to-be vacant job of Inspector General for educaiton. I believe the appointee is qualified and capable of doing a good job, however the Govenror already appoints the Board of Educaiton, so I feel that the Inspector General should not be so closely tied to the adminstration that she will be keeping tabs on. You can read the full Maryland Matters article includeing some of my quotes by clicking here.

Bad Bill Update – Legalizes Vagrancy in Maryland

Earlier this week, the Senate debated SB 463 which would essentially legalize vagrancy in Mayrland. I did get an important amendment onto the bill on the Senate floor that says that passing this won’t change county/municipality ability to regulate trespassing, gatherings and other types of homeless activities but it’s still a bad unnecessary bill that could make it harder to enforce public safety and public health provisions. We should not be making vagrancy legal. The bill has been delayed until early next week so there will possibly be some additional changes. I encourage you to find your Senator if its not me at MDElect.net and make your voice heard.

Additonally, you can watch a short video I recorded about this issue by clicking the image below.

ICYMI: Republicans Seeking to Roll Back Vehicle Registration Fee Hikes

After two consecutive legislative sessions of steep vehicle registration fee increases, Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey and I, along with all 13 members of the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus are pushing legislation to roll back these hikes and provide relief to Maryland drivers. Hershey, the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 896 – Vehicle Law – Registration Fees – Alterations, testified in support of the bill yesterday before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Beginning July 1, 2024, vehicle registration fees increased between 60% and 70%, costing many Maryland families between $70 and $162 more per year simply to keep their vehicles legally registered. SB 896 would return registration fees to the levels in place before those increases took effect, effectively undoing the hikes passed in recent legislative sessions.

SB 896 was heard in front of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Wednesday, and will need to be put to a vote by the committee chair in order for it to pass to the full Senate floor.

Senatorial Scholarships Available

If you are or know a high school senior or college student, please consider applying for a Senatorial Scholarship.  For more information or to request an application, email Emily Van Horn at [email protected] and include your full address.  Scholarships will be accepted up to April 15, 2026.

It is an honor to represent you in the Maryland Senate. As always, feel free to reach out to my office anytime with questions or concerns. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X for the most up-to-date information.

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