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Courtney Watson
House of Delegates
District 9B
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Hello Friends,
We are in the 4th week of the 2023 Legislative Session. My colleagues and I are ardently engaged in presenting and considering hundreds of pieces of legislation. You can be a part of it too.
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"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles Schulz
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Visit the Maryland General Assembly website to learn more about the legislative process, identify your representatives, track legislation, or watch livestream activities in both chambers and committees throughout the legislative session.
The website includes information about hearing schedules and rules pertaining to giving testimony to committees. The website a great resource, and you can follow a bill or several bills by registering on MyMGA - click on the icon at the top right-hand corner of the webpage (see below).
I am sponsoring 11 bills this session. You can see the details of these bills by clicking here and typing "Watson" in the SEARCH box. As always, feel free to contact my office to let me know your thoughts.
Take good care,
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- 2023 Legislation
- Delegate Watson's Sponsored Bill Highlights
- Codifying Choice
- News from the County Executive
- Ellicott City Extended North Tunnel
- Black History Month
- Wonderland of Art
- Tax Season
- Moment of the Week & More
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Sponsored Bill Highlight:
House Bill 72 - Business Regulation - Charitable Contribution - Definition
Under current law, nonprofits are required to submit to an audit or financial review if their contributions exceed $750,000. While this is reasonable, it can be burdensome for organizations whose contributions are mostly in the form of physical property which they then redistribute without intent to raise revenue. This bill will waive audit requirements for small nonprofits meeting certain criteria that deal mostly in donated goods, and not donated cash.
This bill clears the way for Howard County and other local governments to expand the Citizen's Election Fund (CEF) to Board of Education candidates. If adopted, expanding the CEF will remove barriers for qualified candidates who lack the time and money needed to run for public office, while improving the Democratic process by providing Howard County voters with a wide crop of candidates less reliant on outsider interest.
This bill closes a loophole in the law which negatively impacts consumers and the environment. All companies providing services on trees taller than 20-feet would be required to be fully licensed and insured.
This bill allows residential buildings, with tenants who are either seniors, or disabled, to break their elevator service contract without penalty if the elevator breaks down and the current provider cannot repair it in a timely manner.
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Maryland Announces Pro-Choice Legislation Package
I was proud to stand with Governor Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, Speaker Adrienne Jones, and a number of other elected officials on Thursday to announce a legislative package reinforcing individual choice in reproductive healthcare.
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FROM THE OFFICE OF THE HOWARD COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Board of Education Member Delmont-Small Steps Down
Howard County Board of Education member Christina Delmont-Small is stepping down from her position as a Board of Education member effective immediately. Following her first term that began in 2016, Delmont-Small is leaving the Board to be able to focus her attention on the responsibilities of a new job she recently accepted. She currently represents District 1 in Howard County. I thank Christina for her service to Howard County.
Howard County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, will appoint an individual from District 1 to fulfill the responsibilities of Delmont-Small's position through the remainder of her current term, which expires in 2024.
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Update on Ellicott City Extended North Tunnel
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball provided a critical update on the comprehensive EC Safe and Sound Flood Mitigation plan in a video release. The Extended North Tunnel is the largest and most impactful flood mitigation component of the EC Safe and Sound plan, and it is nearing design completion. While the tunnel will soon be ready for construction, costs have risen due to the impacts of inflation across the nation. Watch Ball’s entire update here.
“Ensuring a vibrant and safe future of Ellicott City remains worthy of every dollar that we have invested,” said Ball. “While we understood the sizable investment required when we began this project in 2019, we could not foresee the present inflationary pressures straining household and organizational budgets here and nationally. I remain hopeful and determined that our EC Safe and Sound plan is the right path forward to safeguard Ellicott City for our residents, businesses, visitors, and community. From the beginning, we knew that this plan would not be easy. We knew it was complex, but we knew it was the right thing to do and will make Ellicott City a national model for communities across the country.”
The Extended North Tunnel, approximately 5,000 feet long and 18 feet in diameter, will carry 26,000 gallons of stormwater per second. It will move water away from streets and foundations of Ellicott City and the West End and directly into the Patapsco River. The Extended North Tunnel is one of seven flood mitigation projects in the EC Safe and Sound Plan.
The Quaker Mill Pond is expected to reach completion soon. Once complete, this project will provide approximately 10-acre-feet of storage, which is the equivalent of nearly 3.3 million gallons of water. The Quaker Mill Pond will be the second major flood mitigation retention project to be completed, following the H-7 Dry Mitigation Pond.
For more information on the EC Safe and Sound Plan, please visit the website here.
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Tea Horse Sichuan Bistro
Ping Wu, owner of Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro in Towson, has launched her newest restaurant Tea Horse Sichuan Bistro right here in Ellicott City.
Take some time this weekend to show your support for our local businesses and indulge in the cuisine at Tea Horse Bistro. The Baltimore Banner described the new restaurant as "stunning and serene, decorated with a large mural that depicts China's ancient Tea Horse Road, which connected the Sichuan Province to Tibet...and even has an ornamental indoor roof."
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Black History Month
Consider taking a short field trip to the Howard County Center of African American Culture. Their mission is to "engage community, promote progress, and transform lives through culture, history and awareness." The museum offers "a very unique collection of artifacts, vintage clothing and materials that tell a story of struggle, excellence and survival." Check it out! You can also take a virtual tour of the museum online - see the link below.
Howard County Center of African American Culture
5434 Vantage Point Road
Columbia, Maryland, 21044
P: (410) 715-1921
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From the Howard County Library System
Black History Month is a perfect time to explore Howard County's museums, landmarks and parks with your child to learn about African American history and culture. Here are some ways to learn:
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Update on Roadway Projects in District 9B
- This project will improve capacity on MD 103 by widening the roadway to add a third lane in the westbound direction for dedicated access to northbound US 29. The project will also install new sidewalk and bicycle lanes.
Work is paused due to utility conflicts. MDOT SHA is working with the utility companies and project contractor to resolve the conflicts.
A traffic switch was completed last month on MD 108. The southern portion of MD 108 east of the intersection is closed to traffic so crews can construct a median. Traffic coming out of Beaverbrook Road is temporarily reduced from two lanes to one until spring. A base level of asphalt was paved on MD 108 along with wedge paving along the shoulder.
Drainage work on the western side of the project is complete. Work continues on the median of Centennial Lane.
- There will be frequent lane closures with a flagging operation on eastbound MD 108 during the work hours of Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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It's Love OEC Month! Spend this month shopping around your favorite spots in Old Ellicott City, take a picture, and post it to social media with #LOVEOEC. Each post gets you a chance to win a $25 gift card. Tag the shop, salon, or eatery to really show your LOVE and support.
Each participating store will be handing out I LOVE OEC stickers, too. Check out the details here.
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HoCo Office of Transportation - Open House
The Howard County Office of Transportation will be hosting an open house on Thursday, March 2nd, in the Columbia/Ellicott Room in the George Howard Building from 6 to 8 PM. The open house will be a forum for public input on Howard County's top transportation priorities.
More information on the open house can be found by clicking here.
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The Howard County Chamber is Calling for Entrants in the National Civics Bee
Students can share their ideas and show off their citizenship skills by answering the question, "Identify a problem facing your community. How might a citizen solve the problem." Click here for complete information. Deadline for entry is February 24, 2023.
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From Ellicott City Partnership
WONDERLAND OF ART
ARTISTS' GALLERY WINTER SHOW
NOW - FEBRUARY 26
FRIDAY-SATURDAY | 11AM - 6PM
SUNDAY | 11AM - 5PM
Enjoy an after holidays show of beautiful art by over 20 gallery artists working in a wide variety of mediums that will lighten your spirits in the dark of winter.
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What's New for the 2023 Maryland Tax Filing Season
The deadline to file your taxes is April 18, 2023. Click on the link below to find out what's new for this tax year in Maryland.
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Moment of the Week
I am proud to have submitted several bills this legislative session including some protecting Maryland consumers, senior citizens, and those living with disabilities. I dropped off my last bill for submission this week.
Last Tuesday, I testified before the Ways and Means Committee for my Board of Education bill to improve our democratic process by allowing Howard County to provide public financing for BOE seats. Thank you to the Montgomery County Government, Maryland Association of Counties, League of Women Voters, and a number of other organizations for submitting testimony in support of my bill.
We want to hear from you this session. Share your opinion on state or local bills and come visit us, too!
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CONTACT MY OFFICE
Your thoughts are always welcome. Please contact me by email (see below). Please include "constituent" in the subject line when requesting help for constituent matters.
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Delegate Courtney Watson
Howard County District 9B
Member, Appropriations Committee
Vice-Chair, Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee
Deputy Majority Whip, Democratic Caucus
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 214
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-3077 / 301-858-3077
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