THREE BIG ACCOMPLISHMENTS
We have just concluded one of the most productive legislative sessions of my career. We protected a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health care decisions, took important steps to preserve Pimlico Race Track for the Preakness and neighborhood redevelopment, encouraged public service, and made progress on several neighborhood issues. These achievements are the culmination of years of work on my part, along with many others.
PRO-CHOICE
I have been a leader on pro-choice legislation throughout my service in the House of Delegates. This session I introduced HB 812, to protect the privacy of medical records of women who receive reproductive health care in Maryland, both those from out of state who journey to Maryland to obtain care and Marylanders who find themselves in need of health services when traveling.
This legislation, which was enacted, will protect patients and their health care providers by regulating the disclosure of medical information relevant to their reproductive health care by custodians of public records, health care providers, health information exchanges, and pharmacies. Otherwise, they could be criminally prosecuted in certain states.
PIMLICO REDEVELOPMENT
The Preakness is staying, and major redevelopment will come to Pimlico. It was my idea, seven years ago, to have the Maryland Stadium Authority study how the Pimlico site could be redeveloped to keep the Preakness and benefit the surrounding communities. We passed legislation this session that creates a new authority to oversee the operation of racing. “This authority is a monumental moment in the history of Maryland racing,” a long-time horseman told me.
The communities surrounding the race track will work with the Baltimore Development Corporation on the non-racing uses. Nearly half of the property is ours to design. At my initiative, neighborhood leaders have been meeting monthly to prepare for this.
PUBLIC SERVICE
I was fortunate to have no academic debt from college or law school. I could follow the career path I desired. My first job was in the Housing Authority of Baltimore City. That’s where I learned how government can work for residents and their neighborhoods.
As a legislator, I’ve created programs that repay a portion of the academic debt for graduates who take public service jobs; provide one year’s tuition for students who have a public service job for a year; and pay the cost of internships with high tech businesses for college students.
I was the lead sponsor among House members of Governor Wes Moore’s bill creating the Department of Service and Civic Innovation. Service placements will be provided mostly to recent high school graduates. Service opportunities will be focused on state and local parks, public and community health, and clean and renewable energy. I look forward to working with Governor Moore on this important initiative.
OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOLS
State support for public schools will total $8.7 billion, including a $1.5 billion increase for Baltimore City public schools. More than $80 million will be devoted to summer learning and intensive tutoring in math and literacy. I have a long standing record of support for our public and nonpublic schools. The General Assembly this session again provided funding for lower-income parochial school students through the BOOST program, and we fully implemented the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Public funding for parochial and public schools benefits all of our school children. I will continue to support efforts to provide quality education for all Maryland students.
Through my efforts, City Schools officials committed to better coordination with the Fallstaff neighborhood on parking and other issues related to Northwestern Senior High’s use as a swing school for Poly. I have arranged for similar discussions about the impact of Garrison Middle School being used by Douglass High School students.
NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES
The Moore Administration has revived planning for the Red Line light rail system. I am working with the residents of Edmondson Village to guarantee that no one’s residence will be condemned during this process.
If you drive through the intersection of Northern Parkway and Falls Road, you know what a bottleneck it is. I worked with the surrounding neighborhoods to secure funding for traffic improvements.
A new Enoch Pratt Free Library branch in Park Heights, the Sinai Hospital Cancer Center, and the purchase and redevelopment of the Edmondson Village Shopping Center were funded this session. I worked with my 41st District colleagues, Senator Jill Carter and Delegates Dalya Attar and Tony Bridges on these projects.
PROTECTING OUR RIGHT TO VOTE
The Passover holiday celebrates the Israelites’ exodus to freedom from Egypt. Centuries later, Election Day celebrates our fundamental right in a democracy — the right to vote. Election Day for next year’s primary was the first day of Passover and in the midst of Ramadan. I worked with Delegate Dalya Attar and Senator Shelly Hettleman to move the date to May.
My legislation, House Bill 410, was enacted. It also makes it a crime to influence by fraud or intimidation someone’s decision whether to vote on Election Day, during Early Voting, or by mailed ballot. Neighborhoods will also be provided with adequate notice if a change in their polling place is proposed.
DOMESTIC TERRORISM
We have seen the carnage from violent acts of domestic extremism, especially for minority communities. There were attacks against the LGBTQ community in Colorado Springs and the racism-motivated shooting in a grocery store in Buffalo. The FBI intervened to thwart a plot by two neo-Nazis to target several BGE electric substations with gunfire in Baltimore County.
Important actions we can take to combat domestic terrorism in Maryland were recommended by the Task Force on Preventing and Countering Domestic Terrorism, created by a provision of mine in last year’s budget bill.
I introduced House Bill 1075, which would implement these recommendations and make clear that Maryland will vigilantly oppose all forms of violent extremism.
An Office of Domestic Terrorism Response would work with federal, state, and local agencies to maximize the roles of colleges and universities in researching and developing professional training on how to combat violent extremism and to raise public awareness about violent extremism, hate crimes, domestic terrorism, and international terrorism. My bill passed the House, but no vote was taken on it in the Senate.
PROGRESS WITHOUT PASSING A BILL
I proposed language promoting environmental justice in last year’s budget bill. In response, Secretary of the Environment Serena McIlwain is taking several actions to prioritize and coordinate environmental justice issues across state government.
Introducing legislation can bring about positive change even if my bill does not pass. Herman Berlin runs a family business that is 75 years old His price on certain auto parts is lower than that of a national competitor. However, since Auto Zone has a contract with the state, Herman has been unable to compete.
After I introduced House Bill 199, Herman and I met with state officials, who agreed to modify procurement policy to assist local businesses. “This memo is exactly what I need,” Herman wrote me.
Now that I’m back home, I look forward to learning about the issues that concern you. I will be attending community meetings throughout the 41st District in the coming weeks. I can also be reached at delsandy@aol.com.
We face great challenges. We have the opportunity to accomplish a great deal – together.
