Dear Friend:

            The 2010 Maryland General Assembly Session came to a close at midnight, April 12th.  I am honored to represent the citizens of the 10th Legislative District and in my role as Speaker Pro Tem, the citizens of the State of Maryland at large.  Throughout this Session, I received numerous e-mails, letters, and telephone calls in which your complaints and suggestions were communicated to me.  I appreciate all of you who took the time to express your views.
            Although Maryland faced a significant decline in revenues due to the global economic recession, this General Assembly was able to balance the State’s Operating Budget for the next fiscal year while protecting the priorities of K-12 education, higher education, and public safety.
            Maryland, again, is one of only seven states in the country to retain the coveted Triple-A bond rating, which allows us to borrow at a lower interest rate, thus saving taxpayers money.
            Included in this letter is an overview of the 2010 Legislative Session.  You will be receiving a more detailed report soon.

K-12 Education/ Higher Education

• $5.7 B in education aid for teachers, textbooks, and other important education needs to support the 849,000 public school children in Maryland.
• $1.2 B in funding to our colleges, universities, and community colleges for the121,235 students who want to attend a Maryland university or college next year and for 140,000 community college students.
• Established a Sustainability Commission to look at Teacher Pension Funding and to take a comprehensive look at the State’s retirement system.

 

Public Safety

• The Safe Schools Act of 2010 is designed to improve communication between schools and law enforcement, in order to prevent gang recruitment and expansion in schools across the State.  Legislation was also enacted to strengthen the State Gang Statute by specifically prohibiting someone from being a gang “kingpin”.
• Tightened Sex Offender laws to help law enforcement prosecute violent sex offenders.
• Enacted a law that prohibits a driver from holding a cell phone while driving.

 

Economic Development

• Job Creation Tax Credit offers a $5,000 tax credit to any Maryland business that hires an unemployed Marylander.
• $10.4M provided for stem cell research funding, which supports at least 514 higher paying jobs here in Maryland.
• Created a Small Business Loan Guaranty Program that streamlined the loan approval process for small business and expanded access to credit through the Maryland Small Business Credit Recovery Program.
• Created the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit to promote construction, investment, and jobs.
• Residential Foreclosure Mediation to work out a solution that avoids foreclosure or reduces its impact on the homeowner.

 

Public Health

• Legislation passed that bans dangerous chemicals affecting children, Bisphenol A (BPA) from use in products that having direct contact with children.
• The Maryland False Claims Act will protect against theft and fraud in the State’s Medicaid Budget.
• Established a Commission to implement Federal Healthcare Reforms.
• Assignment of Benefits legislation streamlines and improves the process for reimbursement of out-of-network physicians and protects consumers from unexpected and costly medical bills.

 

Capital Budget

• $250M in school construction funding.
• $350M in funding for higher education.
• $330M for environmental programs
• $26M for new public safety facilities.

 

As we progress through 2010, I will continue to advocate for the 10th Legislative District and Marylanders at large.  Please contact me via phone at 410-744-1300 or email at Adrienne.Jones@house.state.md.us to inform me of issues important to you or to advise me of any upcoming events in your community.  Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Delegate Adrienne A. Jones

Speaker Pro Tem