I hope you and your family are doing well. We’re into the fourth full week of the 2020 Session. We’ve just passed the date to allow bills to be introduced in the Senate. Senators are still able to introduce bills but the bill will go to the Rules Committee and the sponsoring Senator will need to explain why the bill was late which can cause delays. As always, your thoughts and opinions are welcome at [email protected].
First – I want to congratulate President Trump on a fantastic State of the Union address. The state of our Union is strong, our economy is roaring thanks to free market, low tax policies, and we are addressing foreign policy and trade challenges head on. In addition, it was so great to see heroes like Maryland resident and former Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee – now awarded the rank of Brigadier General (RET) – honored for their amazing service to our country. God bless America!
State of the State Address and Ready Reaction:
Today, Governor Hogan delivered his 6th State of the State Address to the full General Assembly. It was an excellent speech that laid out a number of important initiatives and challenged the Democratic majority in the General Assembly to get serious about accountability for crime, education spending and also reduce the tax burden on our retirees. To read my statement reacting to the speech, please click here.
Weekly Video – Kirwan & the Untold History of Education Spending in Maryland:
I’ve recently recorded a video with my thoughts on the large mandate in spending that the Kirwan Commission has recommended. I share the graph below to illustrate what has happened with education spending and three important measures of education achievement since 1970. The short answer - More money does not necessarily result in a better education. We need to make data driven decisions when spending Marylander taxpayer money and have accountability for where it goes. Please watch my full video by clicking here.
Money for Carroll County Projects
Last week, the Hogan Administration announced the following state grant funds for Legislative District 5 projects:
$873,000 to acquire 145.6 acres of property located along MD Route 194 in the northwest area of the county. This acquisition will allow for the future development of a new regional park in an area currently underserved by park and recreation facilities. Benefits include access to and the protection of Piney Creek, opportunities for fishing, hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation, and direct access to 2,800 feet of an inactive railroad line which will eventually become a future rail trail.
$614,700 to purchase and install energy efficient LED lights for 3 ball diamonds at the Carroll County Sports Complex.
$22,000 to construct a concrete boat ramp on Double Pipe Creek for non-motorized boat access to the Monocacy Scenic River Trail
This is the result of ongoing teamwork by our District 5 Team, Carroll County Commissioners and the Hogan Administration.
District 5 Night in Annapolis
Please join us for our Annual District 5 Night in Annapolis. February 17, 2020 from 5:30-7:30 for food and conversation followed by Session at 8 pm. Call my office 410-841-3683 or email [email protected] to register or for more details.