I hope you all have been enjoying the warm weather, I certainly have! I always enjoy seeing everyone out and about in the community. |
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This week is Teacher Appreciation week! Yesterday, I was delighted to present STEM teacher, Mr. Hall, with a citation to honor the Robotics Teams at Lindale Middle School.
Thank you to all the teachers at Anne Arundel County Public Schools for the amazing you work you do for our students every day!
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I am happy to report that two more of the bills I sponsored were signed into law on Monday, May 8th. They are: |
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This will help our local wineries serve a wider variety of food.
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This bill adds four citizens to the Maryland Aviation Commission.
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Only one more bill signing remains, it is tentatively scheduled for May 16th, 2023, at 2 PM.
You can view and track all of the bills that have been signed by the Governor here.
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National Travel & Tourism Week |
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I was happy to participate in Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County's Tourism Works video for National Travel & Tourism Week (May 7th - 13th, 2023). I was happy to highlight the value tourism and travel have to Annapolis & Anne Arundel County!
Watch the video to learn about the activities and financial contributions our neighborhood makes to the State! We are so fortunate to live in an area with such interesting and exciting destinations.
The link to the video is down below:
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My office is continuing to receive inquiries about Unemployment claims. If you or anyone you know needs assistance with their Unemployment Insurance claim, please click the link and fill out our Unemployment Insurance Assistance Form. We will contact our District Liaison regarding your claim.
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Region Planning Community Feedback |
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The Office of Planning and Zoning has begun community engagement for the second round of region plans developed through the County’s Plan2040 general development plan. The regions that District 32 falls within are Region 1, 2, and 3.
For Region 1 & 3: The deadline for comment on the feedback maps is June 30th.
For Region 2: The Draft Zoning Maps will be available for public review from May 1 to June 1, 2023. During this time, property owners or their representatives can file a zoning change application.
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For more details about the Region Planning and access to the entire Region Plan map, click here.
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Anne Arundel County Public Schools News |
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APPLICATION PERIOD FOR AACPS 2023-24 PRE-K PROGRAMS OPENS ON MAY 2, 2023
Parents who wish to apply for their child to attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ prekindergarten program in the 2023-2024 school year may do so online beginning at noon on Tuesday, May 2, 2022.
AACPS offers prekindergarten programs for 4-year-olds in 58 schools and programs for 3-year-olds in eight schools.
Prekindergarten registration is no longer first come, first served. Applications are processed based on priority groups: income eligibility, students with disabilities, students from homes in which English is not the primary spoken language, and students who are homeless.
Information about prekindergarten programs in AACPS and an online application can be found at www.aacps.org/earlychildhood beginning at noon on May 2, 2023.
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Interactive Redistricting Website
An interactive web tool is available online (at this LINK) for members of the public to review and comment on a pair of potential redistricting scenarios.
Comments on the potential scenarios will be accepted through May 31, 2023. Comments to be considered must be left on the redistricting page, not on other social media pages.
Dr. Bedell will deliver his recommendation to the BOE this July. The Board has the authority to develop options other than the scenarios presented by the consultant or any recommendation from Dr. Bedell. The Board will select an option or options to take to public hearing this October before adopting a plan for Phase 1 (northern portion of the county) in November 2023. The plan adopted by the Board will go into effect in August 2024.
The full press release can be found HERE.
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Redistricting continues to be an ongoing issue in our county. If you have any questions or concerns, listed below is the contact information of your elected Board of Education Representatives. |
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Board of Education Contact Information:
Robert Silkworth:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 2
(443) 534-5766
Gloria Dent:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 1
(410) 991-5133
Melissa Ellis:
AACPS Board of Education Member, District 4
(410) 533-7940
Board of Education General Contact Information
BOE Office: (410) 222-5311
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Maryland Insurance Administration Announcement |
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How the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Might Impact Your Health Insurance Coverage
The national COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is scheduled to end on May 11, 2023.
Here is what to expect with regard to COVID-19 Testing, Vaccinations, and Treatments.
Covid Testing:
- Private health insurance plans will no longer be required by federal law to cover over-the-counter and laboratory-based COVID-19 tests with no cost sharing.
- That means that after May 11, coverage for COVID-19 testing under private health insurance plan are likely to change, depending on which health plan you have.
- o It is very unlikely that your health insurance will cover over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.
- o However, most health insurance plans do cover lab testing for illnesses, which would include testing for COVID-19.
- Covered COVID-19 testing may be subject to the same cost-sharing, limits, or prior authorization requirements that apply to other types of lab tests.
- Your insurer may require you to obtain your COVID-19 test from an in-network lab or provider or may limit the amount it pays if you are tested at an out-of-network lab or provider. This means, that in most circumstances, you will be responsible for testing costs that are more than what your insurer has agreed to pay if you go to an out-of-network testing location.
- Until the end of May 2023, individuals can continue to order tests for free from the federal government through COVIDTests.gov.
Covid Vaccinations:
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You will still be able to get free COVID-19 vaccines from an in-network provider, including participating pharmacies. The end of the public health emergency does not change that.
- However, federal law will no longer require insurance companies to cover COVID-19 vaccines from an out-of-network provider.
Covid Treatments:
- Legally, coverage for COVID-19 treatments will not change. If the COVID-19 treatment currently requires cost sharing or paying a deductible, that will continue to apply after the COVID-19 PHE ends.
- Practically, some health insurers did not apply co-pays or deductibles to COVID-19 treatments during the PHE. Those voluntary practices are likely to end with the end of the PHE.
- The federal government still has supplies of certain COVID-19 therapeutics such as Paxlovid, that it will continue to make available to providers at no cost for a period of time. Federally acquired therapeutics have to be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to patients, regardless of their insurance status.
To see the full press release, click here:
If you have any questions or concerns about your insurance coverage, contact the Maryland Insurance Administration at 1-800-492-6116.
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Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development |
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The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced the Fiscal Year 2024 application round for seven State Revitalization Programs will open on April 26, 2023.
These programs offer funding to support local housing, community and economic development and other revitalization projects. They are part of the department’s commitment to helping the state’s local governments and nonprofit agencies achieve their community revitalization and economic development goals.
Applications will be due on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 3 p.m.
Click HERE for the full press release.
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Mortgage Assistance Program |
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County Executive Pittman and ACDS Announce Expanded Mortgage Assistance Program. The announced changes to the County’s Mortgage Assistance (MAP) Program would include increasing the Area Median Income (AMI) requirement to 100 percent, making almost half of the county workforce eligible for up to $50,000 in mortgage assistance. The full press release can be found HERE.
For more information on the Mortgage Assistance Program and how to apply visit www.acdsinc.org.
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Severn Center Ribbon Cutting |
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Northern District PACT Unit |
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Starting in May and throughout the summer, your Northern District PACT Unit will be facilitating two morning Wellness Walks a month.
Join in on the 1st Thursday of the month @ 6am at Sawmill Creek Park for a walk on the BWI Trail or the 3rd Thursday of the month @ 9am at the B&A Trail near the Bruster’s located at 801 Aquahart Rd.
Click HERE for additional information.
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Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund |
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From the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development:
You may not need assistance to stay in your home, but you may know someone who does. The Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund can provide mortgage relief, weatherization, housing counseling, and legal services.
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We are busy assisting constituents with State issues, awarding Senate Scholarships and attending community and legislative meetings. During the interim, my Chief of Staff, Nancy Lipin Crawford and Legislative Director, Ash-Lynn Randolph will be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will be working remotely on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Email is the best way to reach us, be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and a description of your issue.
We are happy to assist you and look forward to seeing you out and about in the community.
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Thank you for allowing me to serve as your District 32 State Senator!
Pamela Beidle
Senator, District 32
Finance Committee
Chair Executive Nominations
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