|
|
Courtney Watson
House of Delegates
District 9B
|
|
Hello Friends,
It's hard to believe that summer is almost over. Soon we will see school buses on the roads. Don't forget that in Maryland, all vehicles must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when its flashing red lights are activated or the stop sign emerges. On all roads except divided highways with a median separation, drivers must stop in both directions.
As of a few days ago, Howard County was still looking for 75 teachers. It's been a challenge for all county school systems in Maryland to fill the vacancies left in the wake of early departures and expected retirements. I have the utmost faith in Dr. Martirano, Superintendent of the Howard County Schools System and his staff to put our students and teachers in the very best postion possible on August 29. One thing is for sure, students are glad to be back in school this year instead of home on the computer.
Here's wishing all of our treasured students and valued teachers and staff a first-class start to the school year!
Take care,
|
|
In This Issue:
- What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for Marylanders
- Howard County Police Body Worn Camera Program is Live
- Improvements to Centennial Park
- Newest Cricket Pitch at Lake Elkhorn
- Utility Bills Assistance
- Virtual Disaster Center Now Open
- HoCo Climate Action Hosts Outdoor Family Fun Night
- Governor Hogan Announces SmartBuy Initiative and Small Business Credit Initiative
- Cybersecurity Training for Veterans and Career-Changers
- Save the Dates: Autism Walk, Main Street Music Fest, Maryland State Fair, and more!
|
|
The White House released state fact sheets on August 17 highlighting how the Inflation Reduction Act tackles the climate crisis in states across the country and how families and communities can benefit from a clean energy future. The fact sheet outlines how families can save on their utility bills, get tax credits for electric vehicles and energy-saving appliances, and access the economic opportunities of the clean energy future.
Click here to read the Maryland Inflation Reduction Act Fact Sheet.
|
|
A big group came out to the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America meeting on August 23 to meet Gun Sense candidates. Thank you to this dynamic, hardworking and persistent advocacy group that has grown and grown in Howard County.
|
|
Howard County Police Body Worn Cameras Are Live
The Body Worn Camera program went live on August 15, 2022. The program was funded in County Executive Calvin Ball’s two most recent budgets and initially includes cameras for 300 officers, 54 sheriff’s deputies, staffing and technical needs.
Two years ago, County Executive Ball’s budget included $2.8 million to fully implement the body worn camera program. He included $4.7 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which started last month, to continue operations.
Uniformed Howard County Police Department (HCPD) officers who regularly interact with members of the public are required to wear and operate body worn cameras (BWCs), this included Patrol, Community Outreach, School Resource Officers, Traffic Investigations, and Tactical. The FY23 approved budget provides funding, effective July 1, to purchase BWCs for remaining HCPD officers, including detectives and non-uniformed officers.
Cameras will be automatically activated every time an officer turns on emergency equipment in a patrol car, turns on a Taser, or removes a firearm from its holster. Vehicles and holsters are being equipped with sensors to ensure cameras are immediately activated in these situations. Officers will activate BWCs for legitimate law enforcement purposes only. The HCPD has compiled additional frequently asked questions about the body worn camera program online.
|
|
Howard County Opens Much-Anticipated 6th Cricket Pitch
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball officially opened the County’s sixth cricket pitch and first designated youth cricket pitch at Lake Elkhorn Middle School. The County entered into an agreement with the Howard County Board of Education last summer to construct and maintain the new cricket pitch.
The pitch at Lake Elkhorn Middle is the sixth cricket pitch in Howard County, helping to meet the growing demand for fields and facilities to accommodate the popular sport. Other pitch locations include Schooley Mill Park, Murray Hill Middle School, Faulkner Ridge Center and Lake Elkhorn Middle School.
|
|
15-20-minute information sessions
on How to Lower Utility Bills
The Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) has held two 20-minute sessions on how to lower your utility bills. We have another session coming up on Wednesday, August 31 at 10AM where we will talk about retail suppliers and water bills. If you would like to join us, sign up here.
To watch the two recorded sessions, check them out on our YouTube page:
|
|
BGE Reminder about Bill Assistance Programs as High Heat Drives Increased Usage and Higher Bills
Customers who may need help with their energy bill should contact BGE as soon as possible to identify state and other funding that may be available to help customers meet their energy needs. Customers can also visit www.bge.com/billhelp to learn more.
BGE Programs
BGE will work with customers having difficulty paying their energy bill by helping enroll customers into available payment options.
Visit www.bge.com/billhelp to learn more. Customers can contact BGE at 1-800-685-0123 to discuss payment arrangements. The company also offers energy efficiency programs and energy saving information to help customers reduce their energy usage at www.bge.com/WaysToSave.
State Funding and Assistance
BGE works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) and Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). Applications and additional information can be found at the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) website: www.dhs.maryland.gov/ohep or by calling 800-332-6347.
Additional programs include:
-
EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP): call 855.583.8976.
-
2-1-1 Maryland provides a link to community health and human service resources statewide, 24/7, in over 150 languages. Dial 2-1-1 for assistance in finding services such as childcare, employment, health care and insurance, emergency services and more.
|
|
Bring family and friends to an Outdoors Environment Family Fun Night, featuring the electrify movement and more, on Saturday, Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m., OUTDOORS at The Meeting House in Oakland Mills 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. Enjoy an entertaining evening of environmental education to learn about the benefits of electrification of homes and other buildings. The event includes speakers, information booths, short movies for children and other activities, popcorn and more. Bring your own chairs and food. Info and optional registration: https://bit.ly/OMI-8-27.
THIRD: Join the follow-up Zoom, Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. Continuing the themes, answering questions and more. Registration at: https://bit.ly/electrify-9-7
|
|
Governor Hogan Announces Expansion of
Landmark SmartBuy Initiative
Governor Larry Hogan announced that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has expanded the state’s landmark SmartBuy initiative to address rising housing market prices. To help manage purchase costs, homebuyers can now eliminate up to $50,000 in student loan debt—up from $30,000. The program has also added an additional down payment and closing cost loan option for lower income borrowers. For more information, click here.
|
|
Governor Hogan Announces Maryland’s State Small Business Credit Initiative Programs Now Open
Governor Larry Hogan announced Maryland programs funded by the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) are open. Up to $198 million in federal small business relief is being administered by three state agencies: the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Maryland Department of Commerce, and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). These agencies will use funds to expand and enhance nine existing state business lending and investment programs. For more information, click here.
|
|
Free Cybersecurity Certification Training
The largest source for information security training and security certification in the world is currently accepting applications for the 2022 SANS Cyber Workforce Academy - Maryland. The program seeks to fill the workforce gap in cybersecurity, and is partly funded by EARN Maryland, a grant program of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Maryland residents who are accepted into the Academy will benefit from SANS world class training in an intensive, accelerated environment. The online coursework prepares individuals for the highly-respected GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification), and a quick transition to high-paying jobs in the cybersecurity field. The Academy is 100% scholarship-based and there is no cost to participants who’ve been accepted.
The SANS Cyber Workforce Academy – Maryland is targeted toward:
- Military veterans, transitioning service members, and active-duty spouses
- Unemployed or Underemployed
- Career changers
Applications are ongoing throughout the year. Candidates with previous experience in information security are not eligible for the program.
Candidates interested in the program should visit
|
|
The Mid-Atlantic Carpenters Training Centers will begin the next pre-apprenticeship program referred to as CARP (Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program) on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 7:30 am. This program will take place for 8 Saturday’s, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. More Information Here.
|
|
Cheer on the Baltimore Orioles against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, September 11th. Tickets are $15, and $5 from every ticket sale will go to The Arc of Howard County to help support our mission of achieving full community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Let's go O's!
|
|
For additional information or questions about this event please contact
Kiki Coffman at kcoffman@archoward.org
|
|
Every Step Counts Autism Walk & 5K Run
October 1, 2022 . Centennial Park
Ellicott City, MD
Become a member of a supportive, energetic and fun community of people more than 8,000 strong who are navigating the Autism journey together.
Your participation in this event supports the work of the
|
|
Click here for more information.
|
|
August 25-28 . September 1-5 . September 8-11
|
|
HOW TO CONTACT MY OFFICE
Your thoughts are always welcome. Please contact me by email (see below). When requesting help for constituent matters, please include "constituent" in the subject line.
Delegate Courtney Watson
Howard County District 9B
Member, Economic Matters Committee
Member, Banking, Consumer Protection, and Commercial Law Subcommittee
Member, Property and Casualty Insurance Subcommittee
Chair, Workers' Compensation Subcommittee
Vice Chair, Democratic Caucus
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 350
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-3077 / 301-858-3077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
