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E-ZPass, Brandon Shores, & More... | | |
Dear Friends,
It’s finally starting to feel like fall here in District 7, and our community is as beautiful as ever. Across Maryland, there are plenty of autumn activities to enjoy, from scenic drives and farm visits to festivals and outdoor adventures.
If you love capturing great photos, exploring nature, or simply taking in the stunning fall colors, check out Maryland Tourism’s Fall Foliage Guide, which updates regularly with the best spots to see the changing leaves. You can also explore their features on "Maryland Fall Foliage Trip," and "Ways to Have Fun on the Farm in the Fall."
Did you know you can create a free Maryland Tourism account and share information about your business or community events? It’s a great way to get your name out there and help more visitors discover everything our area has to offer. CLICK HERE to register for a free Maryland Tourism account.
If you’re a federal employee, contractor, or service member impacted by the government shutdown, Maryland has resources to help. Please note: If a federal employee applies for and receives unemployment benefits, any amount received must be repaid once the furlough ends.
In this update, you’ll also find helpful information from MDOT on how to reduce your E-ZPass balance, along with an update on the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation CPCN, where I’ve continued pushing for greater transparency. Additionally, the Department of Natural Resources has announced a new grant opportunity for Green Spaces, and I noticed several potential sites within our district that may qualify.
At the bottom of this email, you’ll find details about free CDL training, upcoming fall events in both Baltimore and Harford Counties, roadwork updates, and a link to share your feedback on local spending priorities.
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Maryland Department of Transportation (MDoT)
E-ZPass Update:
E-ZPass tolls and the fees associated with them have been a growing concern for many Marylanders, including a number of my constituents. The Honorable Samantha Biddle, who currently serves as both the Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation and Chair of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), recently provided thorough responses to the many questions I raised regarding tolling practices and the use of E-ZPass transponders managed by MDTA.
Here are the key takeaways:
- When an E-ZPass transponder is missing or inactive, the toll is charged at the Video Toll or Image Toll (ITOL) rate. An ITOL occurs when a vehicle linked to an E-ZPass account passes through a toll without a readable transponder. In that case, a photo of the license plate is taken, and the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) identifies the registered owner.
- When someone holds an active E-ZPass account, without their transponder present, that driver is charged the same cash or pay-by-plate fee, which can be higher than the rate expected.
- Acting Secretary Biddle helped outline costs by providing two examples- a trip to Annapolis or D.C. from Harford County. The two tolls include the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), with an average of 21 workday per month.
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Regular commuters, who go through tolls on a regular basis benefit from the Baltimore Region Discount Plan. It can significantly reduce costs, as the toll rate is only $1.40 per trip. If you travel using the Thomas J. Hatem Bridge Discount Plan, for example, you pay only $20 per year using the commuter plan, and the Baltimore Region Discount Plan offers $70 per 50 trips over a 45-day period. See how commuter plans can impact your monthly tolling.
- "The DriveEzMD Mobile App and Website offer the ability for customers to update their E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate account, request and manage transponders, view their toll and payment transactions, find and pay Video Tolls, update or change payment details, enroll in automatic account replenishment, and add or remove vehicles on the account. Users can opt into receiving text notifications designed to alert them when their E-ZPass transponder is successfully read or if there are insufficient funds in their account."
- On the DriveEzMD website, customers can add a second form of payment, which can serve as a backup payment card. If you've opted out of notifications, you can change your preferences on the website to opt-in again. Notifications can be set up for:
- Low, negative, or invalid balance
- General account updates like address change, license plate modification, payment activity, and transaction details.
- Notice of Toll(s) Due (NoTD) must be mailed to the vehicle owner's address by law, MDTA will also be implementing a reminder for customers to see prior to their due date, to avoid additional fees.
- E-ZPass transponders that are beige and 8+ years old are eligible for a free replacement of their E-ZPass transponder. Updating your address is a key requirement of the program.
On page 3 of the full document (below), Acting Secretary Biddle states, "MDTA is also working to implement standardized toll transaction bundling, which will help streamline billing by grouping transactions into more manageable and predictable statements. These efforts reflect MDTA's commitment to fairness, transparency, and improved customer service in tolling operations." When additional clarification was requested, I received the following response:
"The transition to a standardized billing cycle reduces the Notice of Toll Due (NOTD) bundling period from 14 days to 7 days and will deliver benefits to both customers and MDTA operations." and goes on to say the shortened time "will provide the opportunity for customers to monitor toll use patterns, identify unusual charges early, and proactively manage the Video Toll before minor issues escalate."
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Update from the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation CPCN: Case 9748
Last week, Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) Public Utility Law Judge Jennifer Grace hosted a hearing at the PSC headquarters in Baltimore City regarding the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation Project.
Judge Grace highlighted my concerns during the hearing and read this quote from my letter to the PSC: "It is especially troubling that the study agreed upon by BGE, as a condition of this agreement, will only be conducted after the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) is approved by the PSC. This undermines public confidence. My constituents deserve transparency and assurance that there is a genuine and immediate reliability crisis, not that this infrastructure is being justified by speculative, future commercial needs."
Marylanders continue to ask for transparency in this case, and we believe we have advanced one step closer. Judge Grace pressed Baltimore Gas & Electric for more transparency and to release the confidential documents between BGE, PPRP, and OPC regarding the motion to quantify the excess capacity of the new lines. On October 10, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Assistant Attorney General and Counsel to PPRP added public license stipulations to the record. To view more information, check here: Case 9748
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Green Space Grant Opportunity:
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the Green Space Grant Opportunity, due January 14, 2026, for community members, non-profits, and government organizations.
This grant can be utilized to acquire land for conservation or develop a property for public use, such as a community gathering space, woodland, green network, interconnected greenhouses, community gardens, trails, parks, or urban farms.
If you live in a community that is overburdened or underserved, I encourage you to click the links below for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Several constituents have contacted me with questions about the new Mobile ID. To provide clarity, I reached out to the Maryland State Police and the MVA to confirm whether drivers are required to carry a physical license during a traffic stop or if a Mobile ID is sufficient.
According to the Maryland State Police, “Maryland offers a Mobile ID version of a driver’s license or state ID that can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. However, law enforcement does not accept the Maryland Mobile ID. A digital or mobile driver’s license cannot be used during traffic stops. For an officer to rely on a mobile ID, they would need to take possession of the individual’s phone—likely unlocked—and return to their cruiser to scan the barcode into the eTIX system. This process raises multiple concerns, including privacy risks, potential claims of misconduct, and the possibility of damaging the phone if dropped."
Below are links to the MVA website which has additional information regarding digital licenses.
Pages - REAL ID
Pages - Maryland Mobile ID Program
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CDL License Training:
Deadline to Apply is November 14 and November 21.
Baltimore County’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development is helping residents gain the skills and connections they need to succeed through its Strategic Workforce Initiatives. These programs support adults seeking to re-enter the workforce, advance their careers, or train for new opportunities in high-demand industries. By partnering with local employers, educators, and community organizations, the County is creating clear career pathways that strengthen both families and the local economy. To learn more about available training programs, job placement assistance, and career resources, visit: Strategic Workforce Initiatives | Baltimore County Government
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Baltimore County Fall Events:
There is no shortage of things to do this weekend in Baltimore County! Visit Baltimore County Recreation and Parks for more information and activities near you.
| | | Bengie's Drive-In is Hosting its 7th Annual Trunk or Treat on October 25, 2025 with Two Classic Spooky Family Movies to Follow: | | |
Harford County:
There are plenty of fun fall activities occurring in Harford County over the next two months. Visit Harford today, for more information.
A section of Bridge Drive in Joppatowne, between Towne Center Drive and Shore Drive, will be closed for approximately six weeks beginning on or about Monday, October 20, to allow for maintenance and repair of the bridge over the Gunpowder River. During this period, emergency vehicles and school buses will not be permitted to cross the bridge, and all motorists and pedestrians are encouraged to follow posted detour routes. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard has issued a notice to mariners advising that a construction barge will block the navigational channel from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, through November 21, 2025. Mariners should use caution when traveling through the area. For questions, please contact 410-638-3509 ext. 1392, or visit the county’s website for a map of all current and planned road closures at: harfordcountymd.gov/1164/Road-Closures.
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Harford County is requesting community feedback:
How do you think Harford County should spend taxes collected from cannabis revenue? Harford County is seeking community input, so that the impact is best aligned to community values. Residents are asked to provide feedback via survey or in person. (See the flyer below).
| | Check Out Harford County's Best Fall Activities: | | |
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