News From Your State Delegate |
|
Courtney Watson
Serving Maryland District 9B
|
|
February 1, 2022
Hello Friends,
The first three weeks of session have been incredibly busy with what we expect to be nearly 2000 bills introduced. To start the session, the Speaker of the House appointed me Chair of the Workers Compensation Subcommittee within the Economic Matters Committee. I am also the House Chairman of the Howard County Delegation, and still hold my position as Vice Chairman of the Democratic Caucus. I am grateful to the Speaker and my colleagues for these leadership positions, and am working hard to serve well in each of these roles.
Much of my time has been spent in virtual committee briefings and hearings discussing a number of issues, including the budget. We have had two days of in-person voting sessions on the floor so far. We took action on approving the legislative redistricting plan for state legislative districts.
Below, you can see maps of the new and old District 9B. I am pleased to say that a previous gerrymander of 9B (the doughnut hole of Northfield) was corrected, and the Northfield and Dunloggin areas will be whole in the new map. The district also picked up all of Burnside Road (instead of half of Kings Cup and Columbia Road), as well as Meadowbrook Park and Columbia Hills. The district lost Ilchester and Kerger Roads, part of Brampton Hills including Bramhope Lane. Additionally, District 9B's southern border will now be Bonnie Branch Road. These changes were part of an every ten year process to balance the populations among the districts as the result of the latest census. Thank you to the many 9B citizens that came out to testify before the Legislative Redistricting Advisory Committee. Your input definitely informed the decisions that were made for the district.
I will be holding virtual Town Hall meetings once a month and will send a newsletter twice a month all in an effort to keep you updated. Please contact my office with feedback and questions. Email is the best way to contact us. Keeping up with the email volume is sometimes a challenge so if you do not get an answer in a timely manner, feel free to resend the email with "resending" in the subject line.
Thank you and stay safe and warm as we enter February,
|
|
2012 District 9B Legislative Map |
|
2022 District 9B Legislative Map |
|
IN THIS ISSUE:
-Bill Highlights - Office of Resilience &
The Great Maryland Outdoors Act
-EC250 is Here!
-Public Hearing on Local Legislation
-County Mask Mandate Lifted
-COVID-19 Local Vaccine and Testing Info
-New Maryland Income Tax Filing Date
-Celebrating Black History Month
-HoCo Autism Hiring Program
-Public Comment Requested on MDOT Transit Plan
-Community Safety Funding Available
And more...
|
|
The 2022 Maryland Legislative
Session Is Underway
|
|
Katie Fry Hester, Maryland Senate D9 and I met outside where we could be mask free to talk about some bills we are filing when a friend snapped this picture of us on the 444th Opening Day of the Maryland General Assembly. This is our fourth year, and we are ready to bring more WINS home to Howard County!
|
|
I would like to highlight a bill that we're bringing before the General Assembly for the third time because it proposes proactive mitigation measures for
events such as floods.
Maryland Department of Emergency Management - Office of Resilience
This bill would Establish a Chief Resilience Office and a Chief Resilience Officer in Maryland. Around the country, there are eleven states that currently have a Chief Resilience Officer and three more states, including Maryland, that are exploring the idea. The Office would be under the authority of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, and would coordinate state and local efforts to build resilience to risks identified in the Maryland Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The Office would:
- Secure federal, state and private funds to support resilience efforts state-wide
- Organize outreach to local jurisdictions
- Coordinate with other state agencies and universities
- Focus on prioritizing vulnerable communities
We have high hopes that this will be the year it passes.
|
|
Bill Spotlight:
The Great Maryland Outdoors Act
|
|
Our state parks experienced record attendance in 2020 as 21.5 million visitors were welcomed to our parks, a 45% increase from 2019. And a recent Goucher Poll found that 71% of Maryland respondents visited a state park in the past year. There's no question that the pandemic spurred many Marylanders to head outside and take advantage of our glorious park system.
The Great Maryland Outdoors Act will make significant investments in Maryland’s State Park System. Included in this legislation is a requirement for the park system to:
- Hire 100 additional staff,
- Complete a substantial critical maintenance backlog,
- Address overcrowding of parks which have led to frequent closures,
- Add parking.
If this bill passes, we will see improvements in Patapsco State Park!
|
|
It’s the Sestercentennial! On January 22, the EC250 committee kicked off a year-long celebration for the 250th anniversary of the founding of Ellicott City.
Click on the video below, to hear me speak about my many memories and connections with Historic Ellicott City over the years, and what a tremendous honor and responsibility it is to be part of the community working to ensure the strong future of Ellicott City.
|
|
2022 Proposed Howard County Legislation -
Public Hearing Scheduled for February 10, 7pm
|
|
Senator Clarence Lam and I are currently chairing the Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly for the 2022 session. The Delegation will hold work sessions during the upcoming legislative session to discuss proposed legislation.
You can view the 2022 Howard County Delegation work sessions and meetings on YouTube through the MGA website. They are tentatively scheduled on Wednesdays at 8:30 am throughout the session, but they are subject to change.
You can view legislation of interest and proposed bond bills here.
Hearing on Statewide Issues on Zoom
Thursday, February 10th, 2022 – 7pm
The Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly will hold a public hearing for citizen input on statewide issues that are being considered by the Maryland General Assembly this legislative session. The hearing will be held via Zoom and live streamed on the Maryland General Assembly website (http://mgaleg.maryland.gov) and can be viewed by clicking ‘Meetings’, ‘Days’, selecting February 10th, and scrolling down to ‘Howard’. When the hearing begins, a red ‘Live’ button will appear, which you should click to watch the meeting video. The meeting agenda is attached, but please be aware that it may be altered at the discretion of the chairs.
The Delegation will hear oral testimony from members of the public on any statewide issue they would like to bring to the Delegation’s attention. Howard County local bills and bonds that have not yet had a public hearing will also be heard at this time. These bills can be viewed on the delegation’s website. No Howard County local bills or bond requests that were previously given a public hearing will be heard. You may sign up on the Google form linked here. Signup for oral testimony will close at 10:00pm on Tuesday, February 8th.
Members of the public may submit written testimony by emailing testimony as a PDF file to hoc1@mlis.state.md.us. The file name should be formatted as: LASTNAME_ISSUE OR BILL NUMBER THAT YOU ARE TESTIFYING ON. Please be advised that in order to ensure members of the delegation receive and have an opportunity to review it before this hearing, it should be submitted by email to the Howard County Delegation Administrator at hoc1@mlis.state.md.us by Thursday, February 10, 2022, but will also be accepted later.
If you have any questions, or require accommodation, please email hoc1@mlis.state.md.us or call 240-459-8956.
|
|
Howard County Executive Lifts Mask Mandate |
|
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
On Tuesday, February 1, 2022 County Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order immediately lifting the mask mandate in Howard County. Howard County public buildings and facilities, and public transit, including the RTA, will still require masks. Businesses and organizations may still require masking at their own discretion.
County Executive Ball released the following statement regarding the mask mandate:
“On December 23, 2021, I signed an Executive Order that required masking in indoor public facilities. This action was vital to combat our rapidly rising COVID-19 metrics fueled by the increasing spread of the omicron variant. At the height of the post-holiday surge, our positivity rate was nearly 30%, our case rate per 100,000 was 199, and 84 people were hospitalized at Howard County General Hospital. During the past month, we’ve seen our metrics decrease significantly, and more of our residents got their vaccines and booster shots.
Today, our positivity rate is at 8.47%, a 70% decrease from its peak, our case rate per 100,000 is 34, an 83% decrease from its peak, and our hospitalizations have decreased by 60%. Additionally, there is now a wide availability of rapid at-home testing and high-quality masks. Our metrics are encouraging; however, our residents should still use caution in public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Due to Omicron’s virulence, we still recommend the use of high-quality masks, such as N95s and KN95s especially for residents who may be at higher risk.
The single most effective way to prevent severe disease and hospitalization from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and boosted. Approximately 86% of our residents 12+ are fully vaccinated, however, about 44% of those eligible still have not received a booster. Residents are highly encouraged to get a booster as studies show that antibodies wane after six months and this may make the difference in keeping our family and friends out of the hospital.
Nearly 65% of our 5-11-year-olds have received at least their first vaccine dose. I strongly encourage our youngest residents to get vaccinated, get boosted, and help your family and friends get their shots.”
|
|
Transformational Howard County Age-friendly Action Plan Approved by AARP
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that the AARP has approved the Howard County Age-Friendly Action Plan, a transformational document and critical milestone to join the AARP Network of Age-friendly States and Communities. The report includes 80 recommendations across eight domains that influence the health and quality-of-life of residents. Howard County will work to implement recommendations over the next three years. To read the report, please click here.
|
|
COVID-19 Information and Resources |
|
The Maryland Department of Health, with the support of the Maryland National Guard, now offers COVID-19 testing in a tent on the campus of Howard County General Hospital. Appointments and a physician’s order are NOT required at the state testing site. Free walk-up PCR testing will be available seven days a week for adults and children 6 months or older. Regular testing hours are from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enter the hospital campus through the main entrance at Cedar Lane or Charter Drive. This is not an HCGH testing operation; please do not call the hospital for information. To learn more, visit https://bddy.me/3IlNQej.
|
|
FROM THE HOWARD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
There are many other sites across the County offering free COVID-19 testing and vaccination services, including Howard County Health Department. You can visit howardcountymd.gov/health/covid-19 to find a testing and vaccination location convenient to where you live or work.
New COVID Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines
The CDC has updated their recommendations for isolation and quarantine. The new guidelines are posted on the CDC website HERE. We developed several guides to simplify this information. You can find it on our Being COVID Positive page. Look for the isolation and quarantine trackers.
Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11
HCHD holds CHILDREN'S COVID vaccine clinics at Howard Community College’s Duncan Hall. Visit our pediatric vaccine clinic page for updated information and additional clinics.
Parents: Are you looking to see how other parents are deciding to vaccinate their children? Take 30 seconds to listen to one Howard County family's story. Click on this link: https://youtu.be/kcfF48tAlZA
Need your COVID Vaccine Immunization Records? – Sign up at MarylandMyIR to get your COVID-19 and other immunization records.ov/
|
|
Free At-home COVID-19 Tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
|
|
February is Black History Month |
|
According to Visit Howard County, Black History Month provides the opportunity for both reflections on the past and the discovery of the future.
As we celebrate Black History Month, here are just a few places in or near Howard County that serve as either landmarks of or showplaces for that history.
Consider taking a short field trip to the Howard County Center of African American Culture. The museum offers "a very unique collection of artifacts, vintage clothing and materials that tell a story of struggle, excellence and survival. It is our hope that this wonderful collection exist in the future. You support can make that happen." Check it out!
|
|
The Howard County Library System is presenting a Citizens’ Guide to The 1619 Project on February 10. "Published in 2019, The 1619 Project was a special edition of The New York Times’ Magazine that sought to focus readers’ attention upon the centrality of race slavery in American history, and analyzed how slavery impacted the social, economic, and political institutions in America. In this fascinating talk, Dr. Richard Bell, Professor of History at the University of Maryland, compares and discusses four of The 1619 Project’s central theses with evidence in the historical record. More Info or To Register.
|
|
Autism Society of Howard County
Hiring Program
|
|
Applications are now being accepted for the spring 2022 session of The Autism Hiring Program. The deadline to apply is February 12th.
This initiative was created by the Howard County Autism Society to advance neurodiversity and acceptance, connecting businesses to an untapped workforce of skilled Autistic adults and targeting jobseekers not supported by existing systems.
|
|
Draft of the Statewide Transit Plan is Open for Public Comment! |
|
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is excited to present the draft of the Statewide Transit Plan (STP) for your review and comment!
The full draft of the Statewide Transit Plan is available on the project website at www.mta.maryland.gov/statewide-plan. The public comment period is open now through Friday, February 18, 2022 and MDOT MTA asks the public to review the plan and share feedback. The final plan is expected to be released in summer 2022.
|
|
LOVE OEC Month Returns With Heart of Main |
|
Love OEC month returns in February, along with the beautiful Heart of Main Selfie Spot! The iconic sign (created last year by Flower Barn) will be located at the intersection of Main Street and Old Columbia Pike.
|
|
- Crews are currently excavating the shoulders of MD 108 as part of the roadway widening work. They’re also working to install the underdrain which will keep groundwater from impacting the roadway.
- On Centennial Lane, crews are working on erosion and sediment controls like putting temporary mulch down.
- Occasional single lane closures with a flagging operation Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The park entrance at the intersection is closed and no parking is permitted on the Centennial Lane shoulder inside the project limits.
|
|
Marriottsville Road Water Main Installation to Begin
A Howard County construction project to upgrade the water main along northbound Marriottsville Road between Albeth Road and both I-70 eastbound ramps is expected to begin on or about Monday, January 31. Construction hours are scheduled, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The 12-inch water main will be replaced with 16-inch water main to enhance the flow and reliability of the water supply and improve available fire protection resources. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by early April.
|
|
Open Enrollment Has Been
Extended to February 28
|
|
Feb. 28 is your last chance to enroll in a 2022 health plan through @MarylandConnect. Sign up now and see how you can save more than ever before! Go to MarylandHealthConnection.gov.
|
|
Enhanced benefits for utility assistance |
|
Governor Larry Hogan announced that, to address the rise in heating costs, recipients of the state’s utility and electric assistance will receive enhanced benefits during this home heating season. Through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), recipients will see their minimum benefit increase by 66%, from $300 to $500. Overall, MEAP is receiving a 30% increase in funding to support this enhanced benefit. Through the Electric Universal Assistance Program (EUSP), recipients will see their minimum benefit double from $150 to $300. Overall, EUSP is receiving a 32% increase in funding to support this enhanced benefit. Read the press release here.
|
|
$10 Million in Community Safety Funding Available to Maryland's Local Business Districts, and Nonprofit Organizations |
|
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is administering two separate Community Safety Works grant opportunities with a total funding of $10 million. One application is for community-wide business district improvements and the other is for facility improvements. Funding will encourage the implementation of crime prevention strategies through physical design improvements, operational activities, and through community vigilance and maintenance. Details here.
|
|
This Session in The House of Delegates |
|
While the House of Delegates Office Building will be open to the public, there will not be any receptions or large gatherings and masks must be worn at all times. The House of Delegates committee procedings will again be virtual.
The Maryland General Assembly website includes information about hearing schedules and rules pertaining to giving testimony to committees, as well as recordings of MGA hearings and legislative sessions (see below).
The General Assembly has put together video tutorials on using the MGA Website, which can be found by clicking below. You will find tutorials about searching for and tracking bills, signing up to testify on a bill, and more. To follow my legislation, click here.
|
|
2022-2023 District 9B Legislative Scholarship Application
To be placed on the list to be contacted once the
application is available, send an email to:
|
|
HOW TO CONTACT MY OFFICE
Your thoughts are always welcome. Please contact me by email (see the link at the top of the page). When requesting help for constituent matters, please include "constituent" in the subject line.
|
|
Delegate Courtney Watson
Howard County District 9B
Member, Economic Matters Committee
Vice Chair, Democratic Caucus
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 350
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-3077 / 301-858-3077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
