Courtney Watson
House of Delegates
District 9B

Hello Friends,

Recently, Ellicott City had more than a spring shower. On June 8, the town received a significant amount of rainfall in a very short period of time. Thankfully, it is clear that the regular debris removal (instituted in 2019 and automatically triggered after storms) from the streams makes a big difference in keeping the water in its banks and compliments the ongoing mitigation projects. Many tools work together in the Safe and Sound plan to protect Ellicott City from flooding. See below for the latest major news involving federal investment in flood control for our historic town.

As we welcome summer, families look forward to the end of the school year. By all accounts, the past few school years have been challenging. That is why it was such a pleasure to celebrate graduating students at four high school commencement ceremonies and at Howard Community College's commencement. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families!

Speaking of graduates, I'm pleased to have awarded fifty District 9B House of Delegates scholarships for the coming year to deserving students in our community. It's particularly gratifying to see students who applied for and received D9B scholarships in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and now 2022-23 enter into their senior year!

Lastly, as we continue to keep all our children in mind in light of recent events, I'd like to thank Maryland Mom’s Demand Action for hosting the Wear Orange against Gun Violence Vigil on June 3 with County Executive Calvin Ball at the George Howard Building. Let's stay determined to help end gun violence in our country.

Take care,
Senator Katie Fry Hester, Dr. Michael Martirano, HCPSS Superintendent, and I enjoying Centennial, Marriotts Ridge, Howard and Mt. Hebron High School Graduations
Funding Secured for 5,000-foot-long Underground Tunnel, the Largest Flood Control Project for Historic Ellicott City
FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the closing of a $75 million low interest federal loan to construct a 5,000-foot-long tunnel in Ellicott City, the largest and most impactful flood mitigation component of the Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan. The funding was secured through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) competitive Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), which provides water project construction funding under favorable terms.
 
The EPA funding brings the total investment of county, state, and federal dollars in Ellicott City to $167 million in the past four years, which is $138 million higher than during the previous four year period.
County Executive Ball to Honor COVID-19 Pandemic Community Leaderss

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will honor individuals, businesses and organizations exemplifying outstanding service and sacrifice during the pandemic with a new “Rise to the Challenge” award. 
 
Nominations for award recipients are now being accepted electronically and via mail. The nearly 20 awards will be presented later this year in five categories: Public and Local Government; Business; Health Care; Nonprofits; and Individuals.  
County Executive Ball Kicks Off Age-Friendly
Lunch & Learns  

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Office on Aging and Independence recently hosted the first of several discussions with community members on the Age-Friendly Action Plan at the North Laurel 50+ Center. 

Howard County launched its Age-Friendly initiative in December 2019 and submitted its Age Friendly Action Plan to AARP in December 2021, which was then approved by the AARP. The plan 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. 
 
The eight domains that are evidenced to influence the health and quality of life of older adults are: 

  1. Outdoor spaces and buildings; 
  2. Transportation; 
  3.  Housing; 
  4. Social participation; 
  5.  Respect and social inclusion; 
  6. Civic participation and employment; 
  7. Communication and information; 
  8. Community support and health services. 
 
The full schedule of Lunch & Learns is as follows. To register, please click here.

  • Wednesday, June 29. 5:00 to 6:00 pm, East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
  • Wednesday, July 6, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
  • Friday, July 8, Noon to 1:00 pm, Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723
  • Friday, July 15, Noon to 1:00 pm, Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD 21075
Camp Ilchester Celebrated at the
Summer Social on June 16
Thursday, June 16 was a very good day. We celebrated Saving Camp Ilchester from development. Thank you County Executive Calvin Ball and Maryland Senator Katie Fry Hester for your partnership, and especially the girls and their parents for advocating for preservation.
In a county with many needs, this $6 million could have been spent elsewhere, but County Executive Ball is wisely investing this money on Ilchester Road in Ellicott City, and therefore this land will be preserved for future generations.
Election Updates
Mail-In Ballot Packets to Begin Arriving This Week; Ballot Boxes Open Statewide
 
The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) announced that 2022 Primary Election ballot packets will begin arriving at residential addresses this week and that 288 ballot drop boxes have been delivered and installed in jurisdictions throughout Maryland.
 
Registered voters who previously requested mail-in ballots will receive the first round of mail-in ballot packets. More than 400,000 mail-in ballots have been sent to eligible Maryland voters to date. 
 
Separately, SBE recently mailed roughly 600,000 mail-in ballot request forms to newly registered Republicans and Democrats – as well as third-party and independent voters who can vote in the upcoming primary election. These request forms will also begin arriving to voters by mail this week.
 
Voters must request a mail-in ballot from the State Board of Elections or their local board. Requests for a mail-in ballot for the Primary Election must be received by July 12, 2022.
 
In order to be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than the date of the Primary Election – July 19.
 
In addition to submitting mail-in ballots through the United States Postal Service, voters can return their mail-in ballots using an official ballot box in their county. A complete list of ballot box locations is available online. Each of the 288 boxes will be available for use now and through July 19 at 8 p.m.
 
Voters who prefer to cast their ballots in person may do so during eight days of early voting or on July 19. Early voting runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 7 and continuing through Thursday, July 14. Voters can vote early at any early voting center in the county in which they live. A complete list of early voting centers for the Primary Election is listed here.
 
Voters wishing to vote in person on Election Day - July 19 - should confirm their polling place online.
 
The deadline to register to vote in the 2022 Primary Election is Tuesday, June 28.
Sign up to be an Election Judge
(Click on the following link for more information)
 
Howard County Government Closings for Juneteenth National Freedom Day on June 20
CLOSED on Monday, June 20           
  • County Government Offices                                 
  • Courts                                              
  • Animal Shelter                                                         
  • 50+ Centers                                                             
  • Historic Sites
  • Ellicott City Colored School Restored
  • Belmont Manor & Historic Park                            
  • Firehouse Museum
  • Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
  • Robinson Nature Center                                                    
  • Patapsco Female Institute                                                
  • Kiwanis-Wallis Hall

OPEN on Monday, June 20
  • All trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap services
  • Alpha Ridge Landfill
  • County Parks
  • Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter Community Centers
  • Meadowbrook Athletic Complex
  • RTA Regular Weekday Schedule
                                                                                    
All parking regulations and fees will be in effect

The 9-1-1 Center, Police and Fire departments remain staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For emergencies, call 9-1-1; for non-emergencies, call 410-313-2200.
 
County operations will resume on Tuesday, June 21, at regular business hours.
Board of Education Adopts FY23
Operating & Capital Budgets
The Howard County Board of Education adopted its Operating and Capital Budgets for the 2022-2023 school year (FY 2023) on Thursday, May 26, 2022. The General Fund operating budget totals $1.03 billion, an increase of $74.8 million over FY 2022 which represents a 7.8 percent change. The FY 2023 capital budget totals $105,887,000, to support capital projects.
Howard Chamber Presents 2022 Cyber
Risk Management Conference
DATE: July 13, 2022

TIME: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

LOCATION: Howard Community College

PRICE: <50 Employees - $75
>51 Employees - $125

Held at Howard Community College in Downtown Columbia, this year’s conference will be one to remember as a world-class roster of speakers and panelists take the stage to talk cyber awareness, resiliency, digital transformation, and risk management.
Coming Soon to the Howard County Library
Reading Human Rights Book Discussion 

Reading Human Rights is a monthly book discussion hosted by the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity and Howard County Library System. We read books that promote cultural awareness, diversity, and equity. 

June 23: On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed 

Combining personal anecdotes with poignant facts gleaned from the annals of American history, Gordon-Reed shows how, from the earliest presence of Black people in Texas to the day in Galveston on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of legalized slavery in the state, African-Americans played an integral role in the Texas story. 
Suggestions for Celebrating Juneteenth from the Association of Community Services
Here are a number of local and regional celebrations of this day, marking when news of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached people who were enslaved in Galveston, Texas:




For resources on the history of Juneteenth, traditions around celebrations, and ongoing education on racial equity, you can visit:
Helpful Homeowners Insurance Info Going into Active Weather Season
American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) works year-round to educate consumers, policymakers, and the media on how to prepare for and recover from natural disasters, which includes ensuring you have enough insurance coverage to protect your home.  

A new APCIA survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, reveals a majority of insured homeowners are at-risk of being underinsured amid rising inflation and increased building costs. As we head into a potentially active disaster season with hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, our survey results indicate many homeowners may find they do not have enough coverage to repair or rebuild their home if catastrophe strikes.

Some key findings are below:

  • Only 30 percent of insured homeowners have purchased more insurance or increased coverage limits to compensate for rising building costs. From December 2019 through December 2021, the price of construction materials rose by 44 percent.
  • About two thirds of homeowners may be without key additional coverages, such as annual inflation adjustment, extended replacement cost, and building code/ordinance coverage, that can better protect them in these challenging market conditions.
  • Only 30 percent of insured homeowners updated their insurance policy less than a year ago.
  • Only 20 percent of insured homeowners say they created or updated a home inventory in the event of a loss less than a year ago. 25 percent say they have never completed a home inventory.
  • Among insured homeowners who completed renovations or remodels during the pandemic, less than half (40 percent) have updated their home insurance to account for those changes.
 
APCIA is using the survey results to raise awareness and urge homeowners to review and update their insurance policy to ensure they have enough coverage. APCIA urges homeowners to talk with their agent or company about adding the following key coverage features:

  • Replacement cost coverage – pays an amount necessary to rebuild the home with construction materials of like kind and quality and replace your personal belongings, without deducting depreciation.
  • Automatic inflation guard – automatically adjusts your coverage amount at each renewal time to help keep up with rising costs; however, during periods of extreme inflation, it remains important to review coverage limits.
  • Building code/ordinance coverage – increases coverage to help comply with any new building code or green energy ordinances.
  • Extended replacement cost coverage – increases coverage available to rebuild your home when labor and material costs skyrocket after a natural disaster.
  • Additional living expense (ALE) coverage – optional higher limits may help cover hotel and food costs if a longer timeframe is needed to rebuild your home.
 
Additional APCIA Natural Catastrophe Resources:
Premium Increase on the Way
The Maryland Insurance Administration has received the 2023 proposed premium rates for Affordable Care Act products from health carriers. Maryland Insurance Commissioner Kathleen A. Birrane will hold a quasi-legislative virtual public hearing on this matter on July 11. Changes range from 8% to 49% increases for next year. For more information, click on the link below:

Benefits of a Medical Certification Form
If you have a serious medical illness or medical equipment in your home, you may be eligible for a Public Service Commission Medical Certification form. The Medical Certification Form states that the termination of your utility service would aggravate an existing serious illness or would prevent you from using life support equipment. This form must be signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or a physician’s assistant and then sent to your utility company to have on file.

Having a signed Medical Certification form on file with your utility has several benefits. The key is that the utility must know about the medical illness before any service termination. For questions or assistance, contact your utility company directly.
 
Benefits of a Medical Certification Form

There are benefits to having a Medical Certification form on file with your utility.

  • If you have a pending shut-off notice, it will pause the termination for 30 days if you enter into a payment agreement during those 30 days.
  • Verifying your well-being and providing assistance to you in the event of a weather-related emergency, as possible. However, submitting this form will not provide you with priority in restoration of electricity service.
  • There are extra protections in terms of terminations.

If you or someone in your home is medically vulnerable, you may consider sending this completed form over to your utility company.
 
Steps to get a Medical Certification form on file with your utility

  1. Call your utility and tell them that there is a medical issue in the home and that you are working on getting a Medical Certification form filled out by your healthcare provider.
  2. Get the form filled out and signed by your physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant.
  3. Make at least 3 copies of the form.
  4. Call your utility company and tell them that you want to send them a completed medical certification form. Ask them where to send the form.
  5. After you send the utility the completed form, call to confirm with your utility that they have it on file.
Coming this Summer to a 50+ Center Near You!
Join us at the Race4TheWorld 5K on July 4!
Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture (DCACC) is excited to partner with Luminus to host the Race4TheWorld at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 4th, to honor the journey of immigrants from around the world and celebrate the cultural diversity behind what it means to be an American. Stick around after the race to take part in our OneWorldFest which includes a citizenship celebration, international food trucks, cultural exhibits, and performances! 

What's in it for you?

  • Registration for In-Person 5k on 7/4/22
  • Registration for 2-month virtual challenge (5/6/22 – 7/4/22)
  • Finisher Medal
  • Entry to OneWorldFest
  • T-shirt (sign up before 5/20)

Price: $30 adult registration ($5 off for students)
DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION brings you three memorable nights under the stars filled with fun, food & drink, and family-friendly films. And they're FREE! Grab a seat under the pavilion or bring blankets and chairs for the lawn, and get ready to enjoy these awesome flicks. More information HERE.
Get Outdoors with the
Howard County Conservancy
Tree ID Walk

July 9, 10am -11:30am / FREE

What tree is that? Come learn with University of Maryland Extension Educator, Wanda MacLachlan! She will share identification tips and teach you how to use a dichotomous key!
Get Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order a
3rd round of free at-home tests.

Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests?
Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
HOW TO CONTACT MY OFFICE
Your thoughts are always welcome. Please contact me by email (see below). When requesting help for constituent matters, please include "constituent" in the subject line.
Delegate Courtney Watson
Howard County District 9B
Member, Economic Matters Committee
Member, Banking, Consumer Protection, and Commercial Law Subcommittee
Member, Property and Casualty Insurance Subcommittee
Chair, Workers' Compensation
Vice Chair, Democratic Caucus

Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 350
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-3077 / 301-858-3077