| |
Annapolis Update:
Sunday, February 8, 2026 | | |
Dear Community Members,
The 449th Legislative Session is well underway and is shaping up to be one of the busiest in recent years. To date, 842 Senate Bills and 1,143 House Bills have been introduced in the Maryland General Assembly.
Among the most consequential measures before us is Senate Bill 282, the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Bill, totaling $70.8 billion. This bill follows the Spending and Affordability Committee’s report identifying $1.4 billion in overspending in FY2026, an alarming finding that underscores the need for fiscal discipline and accountability. Those concerns were directly addressed during the DHS Briefing, where troubling financial realities were brought to light.
Redistricting efforts have also progressed, with House Bill 488 advancing from the House of Delegates to the Senate Rules Committee. At the same time, unnecessary rhetoric has emerged targeting Maryland’s iconic state flag, a powerful symbol of our shared history, rooted in the Calvert and Crossland crests and recognized nationwide.
As debates intensify and legislation moves through the process, I remain committed to thoughtful dialogue, responsible governance, and advancing policies that serve the best interests of Marylanders.
| |
|
Department of Human Services
Briefing in the Senate Health
and Human Services Subcommittee
The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) is a nonpartisan watchdog tasked with one simple job: to provide an honest assessment of the State’s finances. Its work safeguards taxpayers and, just as critically, the vulnerable Marylanders who rely on state services. The findings DLS presented last week regarding the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) should concern everyone.
At the February 5, 2026, Health and Human Services Subcommittee hearing, DLS laid out serious audit findings related to DHS’s financial management. DHS attempted to minimize these issues as “relatively small errors.” As Senator Cory McCray correctly stated, agencies do not get to determine what is insignificant, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee exists to ensure accountability.
Perhaps the most telling moment came before any questions were asked: the DHS Secretary neither appeared nor rescheduled the hearing.
In the absence of the secretary, committee members were left questioning staff about late, incomplete, and inaccurate financial reports. That absence spoke louder than any testimony.
DLS Findings:
- FY2025 closeout deficiencies compounded unresolved errors carried over from FY2024.
- Required documentation due October 1, 2025, was submitted more than two weeks late and lacked critical information.
- Essential data on reversions, cancellations, and federal and special fund balances were missing and not provided to DLS or the Budget and Taxation Committee despite repeated requests.
- Even the limited information submitted failed to reconcile with the Comptroller’s records.
- Tens of millions of dollars in assistance payments, foster care expenditures, and energy assistance costs were inconsistent across reports.
- Federal spending related to EBT fraud replacement varied dramatically across DHS documents, with some figures exceeding $70 million.
DLS also identified recurring audit failures, concluding that these issues “undermine the credibility” of DHS’s financial reporting:
- $339 million in federal revenue accruals supported by only $33 million in actual expenditures.
- An unresolved $103.6 million deficit in a non-budgeted fund.
- Nearly $28 million in potential General Fund liabilities related to federal SNAP penalties that were not properly disclosed.
DHS highlighted several areas of progress, including:
- Replacing stolen EBT benefits.
- Staffing improvements.
- System modernization efforts.
- Ending the practice of housing foster youth in hotels, a practice that ended after the death of a foster care youth in the care of DHS.
Progress matters. But it does not erase unresolved failures:
- There was no meaningful discussion of that child’s death.
- Budget hearings are not just about spreadsheets; they are about real-world outcomes.
- When a child dies under state supervision, silence is unacceptable.
- Fiscal accountability without human accountability is hollow.
Maryland is in a budget crisis. Our credit has been downgraded. Families are struggling with rising costs, especially energy bills that climb every six months. DHS itself admitted FY2027 discussions should not proceed until FY2025 is reconciled, yet no firm timeline was provided.
This isn’t about partisanship, I respect Senator Augustine & Senator McCray for their forthright comments, when we spoke during the Q&A. This about trust. And trust requires leadership that shows up, answers hard questions, and tells the truth. Before expanding programs or reshuffling hundreds of millions of dollars, DHS must do the work it owes the public: finish the FY2025 reconciliation, correct inaccuracies, explain discrepancies, and account not only for the dollars, but for the lives affected when systems fail.
Marylanders deserve compassion and accountability. We can and must demand both.
| | | | |
The House of Delegates passed House Bill 488 - Election Districts - General Assembly and Representatives in Congress also known as the 'Resdistricting bill.' The legislation is now before the Senate Rules Committee. Rather than allowing voters to choose their representatives, this bill risks disenfranchising Marylanders and appears intended to offset political losses in other states at the expense of fair representation here at home.
I, along with my fellow Senate Republicans, sponsored Senate Bill 104 - Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Legislative and Congressional Redistricting and Apportionment Commission (Fair Districts for Maryland Act), which would amend the Maryland Constitution to establish a fair, transparent, and nonpartisan redistricting process. This legislation removes map-drawing from political hands and places it with an independent commission, ensuring districts are drawn based on communities, not political advantage.
Another interesting bill that's been proposed in Senate Bill 255 - Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Counties and Municipal Corporations. This bill has been presented as a mechanism allowing individuals in a protected class to file claims against a county or municipality based on a belief that their minority status would prevent them from winning an election, even if they have never declared candidacy, raising serious concerns.
The legislation appears tied to ongoing redistricting disputes and opens the door to forced local redistricting, frivolous litigation, and a confusing application of election law. It creates a new right of action after an election has already occurred, permitting claims that voting rights were violated and potentially requiring courts to redraw district lines retroactively.
The implications are immediate and far-reaching, particularly because this measure is being advanced as an emergency bill. That designation raises an obvious question: what exactly is the emergency?
Election laws should be clear, fair, and stable. This bill is none of those. Marylanders deserve transparency, not rushed, ambiguous legislation that risks undermining confidence in local elections. I will continue to ask tough questions and stand up for clarity, accountability, and the integrity of our electoral process.
| | Diversity of Maryland showcased per the 2024 presidential election. | Proposed NEW Congressional Redistricting Map 2026 | Current Congressional Districts | |
Historic Motor Vehicles -Minimum Age Bill
Did you know that, under current law, no vehicle manufactured after 1999 can ever be considered historic in Maryland?
Legislation passed in 2025 changed the definition of a historic vehicle to include only those vehicles made prior to 2000. This is just one example of policies from last session that created unintended consequences and now require correction.
Marylanders are known for maintaining their vehicles for decades, keeping them out of scrap yards and preserving automotive history. As a result, our state has a strong and active historic car community.
To address this issue, I cross-filed Senate Bill 452- Department of Motor Vehicles - Historic Motor Vehicles - Minimum Age Bill, alongside my colleague from Harford County, Delegate Steve Johnson.
This legislation updates the definition of a historic vehicle in a way that is fiscally responsible while allowing vehicles to become historic as time passes. My bill will be amended to include a grandfather clause to mirror Senate Bill 566, introduced by Senator Justin Ready. While we are open to restoring the traditional 20-year threshold, our immediate priority is achieving bipartisan support to fix the definition and move it forward.
The bill will be heard on February 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in testifying, please respond email my office and my Legislative Director will follow up.
| |
Keeping Our Schools Safe
Senate Bill 454 - Public Schools - School Resource Officers - Firearms Required requires School Resource Officers (SROs) assigned to Maryland public schools to carry their service weapons.
Maryland already invests millions through the Safe Schools Fund to place SROs in schools, yet there is no statewide requirement that these sworn law enforcement officers be armed. That inconsistency creates uneven safety standards across jurisdictions, at a time when school safety funding is expected to be reduced in future budgets.
SROs are fully trained police officers, not security guards or counselors. They are the first line of defense when a serious threat occurs. Asking an SRO to respond to an active shooter without a firearm is unrealistic and dangerous. Seconds matter, and officers cannot be expected to retrieve a weapon while students and teachers are at risk.
Recent incidents highlight why preparedness matters. In 2025, an armed student was stopped by an SRO at Parkville High School. Just last week in Anne Arundel County, a second grader was injured when a gun brought to school discharged, there was no SRO on site. Since 2015, multiple firearms have been confiscated at Maryland high schools, and in 2024, a student was killed by another student with a gun at Joppatowne High School.
As one student testified, “It would just make me feel safer.” Law enforcement agrees, officers must have the tools to do their jobs.
Bottom line: An unarmed SRO is another unarmed victim. Senate Bill 454 is about preparedness, consistency, and protecting our children. If the State funds school safety, it must ensure officers are properly equipped.
The bill will be heard on February 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. If you are interested in testifying, please respond email my office and my Legislative Director will follow up.
| | |
Ice or ICE?
Early dismissals were announced on Friday, February 6th, due to an incoming snow, expected after 4:00 p.m. However, earlier this week, Baltimore City students walked out of school to protest 287(g) agreements, with a plan for Harford & Baltimore County students to walk out on Friday, February 6, 2026.
The interesting part? The General Assembly’s supermajority is halfway through the legislative process to end those agreements, statewide.
We can respect free speech while still upholding the primary mission of our schools: educating our kids and keeping them safe, focused, and learning.
So, the real question remains, are schools being closed for ice or ICE? How do you feel about this?
| |
Senate Bill 382-
Retire in Maryland Tax Relief Act
For years, I have heard from Marylanders who feel compelled to retire elsewhere, and it is difficult to see people leave behind deep roots, family, friends, community connections, and homes filled with memories.
That is why I co-sponsored Senate Bill 382 - Retire in Maryland – Tax Relief Act. While I believe eligibility should begin at a younger age, this bill represents a meaningful step forward. It creates a state income tax credit for Marylanders age 77 and older and has the potential to earn the bipartisan support necessary to move forward.
Whether you are receiving a pension, collecting Social Security, or still working, Senate Bill 382 would reduce your state income tax burden once you reach age 77, helping more Marylanders remain in the state they proudly call home.
Senate Bill 382 will be heard in the Budget and Taxation Committee on February 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in testifying in support of the bill, we would be honored to hear from you. To sign up, please use the sign-up using the MyMGA portal. If you encounter any issues, please contact my office.
| | |
Property Appraisal Appeals:
Around this time last year, the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus, which I am a member of, sent a letter to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. As a reminder, below is information on the property tax appeals process, along with helpful tips and key contact details.
SDAT Appeals:
SDAT Assessment Appeals: When submitting your appeal, make sure to have your notice number and control number. The second icon contains the required questions, so you can prepare yourself. Addresses and prices of recently sold homes or homes unable to sell, is helpful data to share. As stated in the letter, staff is available to answer questions. Their phone number is: 410-767-1184; email: sdat.411@maryland.gov
Property Tax Credits:
Homeowner's Property Tax a state program that limits how much of your household income can go toward property taxes. If your property tax bill exceeds a set percentage of your income, the State provides a credit to reduce what you owe, helping homeowners on fixed or moderate incomes stay in their homes.
One Stop - Homestead Tax Credit primary residences must be designated to limit annual assessment increases. While this is not an endorsement of the policy, filing for the credit can help reduce increases if you have not already done so.
Renters: 60 & Over and Disabled apply for the 2026 Renters Tax Credit Program (Over 60 OR 100% Disabled). Deadline is October 1, 2026.
| | |
Veteran Tax Exemptions: Veteran's Tax Exemption
Harford County: Harford County Property Tax Credit
Baltimore County includes a local supplement to the homeowner's tax credit program, among other tax credits: Baltimore County Tax Credits
| | Maryland Public Service Commission | | |
The Maryland Public Service Commission has launched an updated website designed to make it easier for Marylanders to find answers and get help.
As a reminder, the PSC oversees the approval of energy projects in Maryland, reviews consumer complaints, and conducts inquiries and public hearings on energy applications and concerns.
On the website, users can file a complaint, review project details, print case jackets for upcoming or ongoing projects, view agendas, and more.
To file a complaint: Use the drop-down menu and select “File a Complaint,” or scroll down on the homepage. Before submitting, be sure you have contacted your utility company and documented that communication, as the PSC will return complaints that do not show prior contact with the utility.
Staying informed matters, especially as energy costs continue to rise. The people have power, your communication helps inform decisions.
| | |
Legislation on the Public Service Commission (PSC):
This session, energy affordability is of the utmost importance. Senate Bill 270 – Public Service Commission – Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Sources of Electricity Generation would require the Public Service Commission to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the full costs and benefits associated with all sources of electricity generation in Maryland. As well as ensures transparency and accountability by requiring the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment and the House Environment and Transportation Committee by December 1, 2027.
This analysis would give lawmakers the data they need to respond with responsible legislation and make informed, fact-based decisions about Maryland’s energy future...balancing reliability, affordability, and long-term impacts on working families and businesses.
| | |
Coming Soon!
I have introduced Senate Bill 584 - Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Transmission Lines - Notice to Landowners, legislation designed to strengthen transparency and protect landowners when new transmission lines are proposed. This bill requires applicants seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide clear, timely notice to affected landowners about planned construction. It also ensures accountability by invalidating hearings, and, in certain cases, voiding applications, when required notice is not properly given.
The bill will be heard in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. I will be sure to update you once a hearing is scheduled.
| | |
Congratulations to the McGinnis Family
I’m proud to congratulate the McGinnis family of Baltimore County on their induction into the 2025 Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Wayne & Harriet successfully transitioned from traditional dairy farming to Angus cow-calf operations, while preserving over 1,000 acres of farmland, a remarkable contribution to land conservation efforts in Maryland and beyond. Their dedication continues through the next generation, with Anne, Jay, and Brett actively involved in farm operations and agricultural education.
| |  | |
Congratulations to the Legislative District 7 Student Page, Jasmine
Jasmine, a Student Page from District 7, completed her first week as a Page in Annapolis, where she learned about the legislative process, and will return in a few weeks to see how things have progressed.
| | | | | |
Baltimore County's rescheduled Boundary Change Process Hearing is now scheduled for February 11, 2026.
There will be follow up Board of Education Dates, where this topic may be discussed as well.
If you would like to offer a public comment, please click here.
| |
The Chesapeake Bay Trust Awards Grants in Baltimore County
God’s Outdoor Angels Foundation received funding to support its mission of helping veterans reconnect with nature through guided hunting trips, fostering camaraderie, healing, and overall well-being.
Friends of Hart Miller Island, Inc was awarded a grant to advance environmental education and hands-on stewardship. However, recent decisions by the Moore Administration to remove staff from Hart Miller Island have raised serious safety concerns. The organization has also secured federal grant funding.
See below for my advocacy on this issue with Senator Salling.
For a list of available grants, click here.
To support the Chesapeake Bay Trust, update your license plate or donate here.
Note: These grants are not funded by taxpayer dollars. Grant funding comes from the sale of Chesapeake Bay and Maryland Agriculture license plates.
| | |
Harford County:
If you or someone you know is looking to give back or needs to fulfill high school service-learning requirements, please take a moment to review this comprehensive list of organizations currently seeking volunteers.
Harford County seniors are also encouraged to explore the many activities and programs happening throughout the area.
Congratulations to Liliana Norkaitis, who was selected to serve on the Harford County Board of Education following the resignation of the previous board president. Best wishes as you serve Harford County families.
I also met with leadership from Harford County Community College, as well as other community colleges throughout the state, who provided updates to my staff and me on important issues impacting the college and its students.
Finally, congratulations to one of this week’s Maryland General Assembly Pages, Mac, from Fallston High School. It was great speaking with you, best of luck in your senior year, and I hope you enjoyed your time in Annapolis.
The Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust has awarded a grant in Harford County to the Bel Air Acres Improvement Association, Inc. to support a community tree-planting project aimed at reducing soil erosion and expanding the local tree canopy.
For a list of available grants, click here.
To support the Chesapeake Bay Trust, update your license plate or donate here.
| | | | | |
My office remains ready to serve my constituents, should a need arise. Not sure if you reside in Legislative District 7? Check it out here: Members - Find My Representatives. Navigate to Look Up, and type in your address to see who represents your district and their legislation. As always, feel free to email me on legislation or any personal state-related issues that may arise.
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or X.
Best regards,
| | |
Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy |
| | | |
