March 8, 2024
Ready Report: Going after Drug Dealers & Tax Increase?!
The eighth full week of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session has concluded. Here is a brief update on what happened this week in Annapolis, including an update on legislation to go after fentanyl dealers, a brazenly radical tax increase proposal and more…
Weekly Video Update
Click the image below to watch this week’s video update from Annapolis.
Victoria & Scottie’s Law Receives Hearing in Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
On Tuesday, Delegate Chris Tomlinson and I held a press conference in advance of presenting SB1075/HB1245 – our legislation in House and Senate hearings to crack down on fentanyl dealers and give them up to 20 years in jail when they distribute heroin/fentanyl causing serious bodily injury or leading to death. Maryland currently has no real way to charge these dealers with manslaughter when they sell this poison in our communities.
We were honored to be joined by the families of several victims who lost their lives at the hands of fentanyl and in all cases, the dealers who sold them the poison got little to no jail time at all because all they could charge with was possession or drug dealing. Thank you to Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees, State’s Attorney Haven Shoemaker, and other law enforcement officials from around Maryland for joining us as well. This has wide, bipartisan support according to recent polling and we are thankful to have several cosponsors from both parties on our bills.
This bill has received a lot of press this week, which you can view by clicking the links below:
Outrageous Tax Increase Proposal from House Democrat Leadership
This week, there was a lot of talk about HB 1515 which was proposed by Democrat House of Delegate leadership and seeks to extend the state’s 6% sales tax to all services in the state. Some are saying this would be the biggest tax increase in MD history.
I am firmly opposed to all tax increases, especially in a time where working families are struggling with inflation and high cost of living. I will be doing everything I can to fight against this proposal, and even support other legislation that seeks to lower the cost of living for people in Maryland.
Telling the truth about “Gender Affirming” Surgeries for Minors
I debated SB119 on the Senate floor this week, which opens Maryland up to be a destination for out of state residents to bring children for life-altering, permanent gender changing surgeries and hormone replacement/puberty blockers. Meanwhile many European countries, other states and American medical professionals who haven’t been intimidated by bizarre political correctness have been saying that permanent surgeries and relatively new and powerful drugs that alter children are not a good idea. We should follow the lead of UK, Norway, Sweden, and others and pump the brakes.
You can watch my full remarks from the Senate floor by clicking here.
Carroll County Government Announces FY2025 Budget Meetings
Throughout March, April, and May, a series of budget meetings will be held to develop and adopt the final Carroll County government’s budget. The current schedule, and more information about the county’s FY2025 budget can be found by clicking here.
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, 2024.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime. My office can be reached by emailing [email protected].