Key Updates to Key Bridge, DJS, Brandon Shores, & More!

Dear Friends,

I hope you were able to rest and enjoy the holiday weekend. I was honored to spend the Fourth of July holiday in two parades within Legislative District 7- Kingsville & Bel Air. It was really great to meet so many neighbors and reconnect with old friends and community leaders. Spending the Fourth of July with our kids and joining the parade route alongside my wife, Michelle, made the day even more meaningful. A big thank you to Adams Jeep of Maryland for loaning us a ride that let us cruise in style through the festivities! It was truly a privilege to celebrate Independence Day with our community.

Last week, I had the honor of attending the groundbreaking ceremony at Martin State Airport, where plans for a new air traffic control tower were unveiled, an exciting milestone that reinforces Maryland’s proud aviation legacy.

Work continues at the Key Bridge site, and like many of you, I’m eager to see normal travel resume. Demolition is nearing completion, and construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in the coming months. If you're a subcontractor interested in submitting a bid for the project, please consider attending the virtual subcontractor and supplier outreach event that Kiewit is hosting on July 23rd at 11:00 a.m. Kiewit will be providing an update on the Key Bridge Rebuild project and discussing current subcontractor and supplier opportunities as well as the bid submittal process. For more information about the project, visit Key Bridge Rebuild. For questions about the current bid package, please email the Project Team at: RebuildKeyBridge@Kiewit.com.

With the recent passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill" in Washington, I’m hopeful that Governor Moore will consider delaying some of the more costly projects to help prevent additional taxes or fees from falling on hard-working Marylanders. After record tax and fee increases this past session, we need to find innovative strategies and call back to tried-and-true conservative solutions to avoid additional taxes and fees.

David Collins from WBAL reported on the visit I had with Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Betsy Fox Tolentino, who brings years of experience in juvenile justice reform from across the country. I’m encouraged by the early steps she’s taken, including new directives aimed at improving accountability and youth outcomes, and I look forward to seeing how her leadership can help turn around a system that has long needed reform. Make sure to tune in to The C4 and Bryan Nehman Show WBAL NewsRadio on 1090 AM or 101.5 FM for the radio on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. to hear more.

Department of Juvenile Services:

Touring Hickey and Meeting with Acting Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino

On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, I visited the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School in Parkville, a short-term, pre-trial juvenile detention facility, to evaluate safety conditions and respond to concerns raised by frontline staff and recent media coverage. The visit comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), following the resignation of the former Secretary. I was joined by newly appointed Acting Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino, Esq., marking one of her first official site visits in the role.

The tour, guided by a longtime Hickey staff member, offered a detailed overview of daily operations, safety measures, and disciplinary procedures. Staff were actively engaged throughout the visit, and youth were observed participating in school-related classroom activities. When discussing the challenges of teaching that many students coming from so many different backgrounds, the staff on hall duty stated that often, educators will teach multiple math lessons during the class period to meet the needs of the students in the room.

I asked direct questions throughout, focusing on how behavior is managed and how safety is ensured for both staff and youth. The staff member who gave us a tour was quick and knowledgeable in all of her answers. The team passed by a sign informing youth and staff how to report abuse, neglect or suicidal thoughts- confidentially during phone time. This answered one of the biggest questions regarding reporting unsafe behavior.

Following the tour, I met with Betsy Fox Tolentino, Acting Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, to discuss the future of DJS. I opened the discussion with genuine concern, saying, “We need a fresh start with this change in leadership. My community has been targeted by many youth offenders who aren’t being held accountable. Community members are exhausted and feeling the strain on their finances and sense of wellbeing. We need to know that the days of catch and release are behind us, and find ways to get these kids, and Maryland, back on the right path.”

I was one of the leading voices calling for a state hiring freeze, something that is finally being implemented. But I’ve always emphasized the need for exemptions when it comes to public safety. We should be working aggressively to hire within these roles. Acting Secretary Fox Tolentino acknowledged the department’s deep challenges and expressed a clear commitment to reform. Fox Tolentino let me know that will start with filling about 40 critical frontline detention positions across the state. To achieve this, she is working to reassign vacant management and non-exempt positions (PINs) to allow more frontline detention staff hires within the current budget.

Facility safety protocols were a key focus of the visit. Each room houses one youth, with 16 youths per unit. Ideally, two staff members are assigned to each unit, but staffing shortages often reduce that to one. While surveillance is constant, staff expressed concern that this level of oversight is not always enough. While the standard ratio at Hickey is one staff member per eight youths, that number of youths often increases in higher-needed situations, placing significant strain on staff and leading to youth frustration over delays in meeting basic needs. Acting Secretary Fox Tolentino acknowledged the issue, calling the current model unsustainable, and committed to addressing it through additional hiring and updating infrastructure to ensure staff can focus on the important task at hand, staying engaged with the day-to-day functions of the center.

When incidents occur, protocols include behavior assessments, individualized safety plans, and increased staffing in affected areas. Facility leadership is also required to notify parents, case managers, administrators, and other key contacts. Programs are in place to increase the leadership skills of the youth and build rapport between staff and youth residents.

When in the community, one topic remains in front of mind with constituents. Repeated criminal activity from juveniles who have slipped through the system, due in part to previous leadership, have had little-to-no consequences and have not been held accountable for their actions. It's common sense that if you’re released immediately after a car theft, what will stop you from immediately returning to that behavior?

Acting Secretary Fox Tolentino is working to enhance accountability for young people by:

1.      Mandating that any youth rearrested while wearing an electronic monitor be held in detention until their next court appearance.

2.      Ordering service providers to be immediately deployed to begin addressing behavioral concerns. Fox Tolentino let me know that while Hickey School is not a formal rehabilitation center, it still has an important role to play in developing coping strategies and life skills for youth in custody.

3.    Requiring community detention officers to attend the court hearings of the youth they supervise, giving judges more context and reinforcing the idea that someone in the community is paying attention and invested in the young person’s progress.

4.      Expanding coaching and training for community detention officers.

5.      Rolling out a modern data system to increase real-time analysis and allow staff to spend more time focused on youth and facility safety. The new system will enable real-time decision-making, reduce the administrative burden, and allow staff to spend more time focused on youth and facility safety.

There’s a long road ahead, but I appreciate the Acting Secretary’s willingness to confront these problems directly and her offer of an open line of communication moving forward. The directive released last week marks a major shift from the former leadership’s approach to juvenile crime. We owe it to our youth, our communities, and our correctional staff to get this right. The end to the catch and release repeat offenses will greatly improve our communities and the outlook for these young people.

If you're called to fill one of these critically important roles and make a positive impact in young peoples' lives, check out the opportunities here: Department of Juvenile Services, Career Opportunities. As a reminder, in the 2025 Legislative Session, I co-sponsored Senate Bill 504, which offers a property tax credit for law enforcement officers.

Brandon Shores Update

The Public Utility Law Judge has canceled the evidentiary hearings for the Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation CPCN (Case #9748). This decision marks yet another chapter in the growing public opposition to building new transmission lines in Maryland, lines that would essentially act as a $1.6 billion extension cord from a Pennsylvania power plant. While this project has been touted as a way to ensure reliability in light of the closure of Brandon Shores, I have concerns regarding the short-term and long-term costs to BGE customers and Marylanders who will be along the path of the updated powerlines. 

Check out the timeline below: 

May 16: Independent report released: Ricardo Austria (hired by the Power Plant Research Project, or PPRP) stated that the new transmission lines would create excess capacity and recommended that the Public Service Commission (PSC) only grant BGE’s request if the company transparently reports how much capacity the new lines generate. That same day: Governor Wes Moore vetoed Senate Bill 909, a bill that would have required an independent review of the grid. His justification? That the PSC, Maryland Energy Administration, and PPRP already cover this ground. However, state appointed bodies appear to be working around the issue- how will this benefit Marylanders

July 2: PPRP and the Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) filed a joint motion with the judge, demanding that BGE be required to disclose whether the transmission project would exceed what's needed to address Brandon Shores’ retirement. They clarified that they were not trying to delay the project, but that the public deserves transparency about whether this is just about grid reliability, or something more. They also requested that the deadline for discovery be extended to July 11 to allow for proper preparation.

July 3: BGE rejected the motion outright.

July 9: Chief Judge Lawrence extended the discovery deadline to August 1, cancelling the July hearing. No specific reason was offered, but Chief Judge Lawrence urged the involved parties to work together toward resolution. Judge Lawrence was recently appointed to her role following the appointment of former Chief Judge Ryan McLean to the PSC by Governor Moore - filling the fifth commissioner vacancy.

The President of the United States issued a national energy state of emergency on January 20th. A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy warns that the U.S. electric grid is on a dangerous trajectory, and projects like the Brandon Shores Mitigation Project won’t fix it.

The July 2025 Resource Adequacy Report finds that the retirement of 104 gigawatts of reliable coal and natural gas plants, combined with explosive data center growth, will dramatically increase the risk of power outages, up to 100 times higher by 2030 if current trends continue.

Even with over 200 GW of new generation planned, only 22 GW is firm, always-available capacity. The rest is intermittent, and the DOE warns that outdated planning models and long-distance transmission lines can’t solve localized reliability failures. PJM, which includes Maryland, is among the worst-performing regions, with up to 1,052 hours of projected outages in the worst year. The study shows that adding transmission alone, without new dispatchable generation, is insufficient to protect reliability. This aligns with what I have said all along: Brandon Shores Retirement Mitigation is not the answer. Maryland needs reliable, local generation and smarter energy planning, not an overhead extension cord from PA to MD.

On July 8, the OPC filed an analysis regarding another local case: 20250708 - OPC Comments - CN 9353.pdf “The data calls into question whether the utilities’ ongoing high levels of spending on capital infrastructure is producing meaningful benefits for customers,” said Maryland People’s Counsel David S. Lapp. “It’s time to shift focus to more targeted and lower-cost measures like vegetation management that can more meaningfully address customer concerns about outages due to major weather events, while curbing growing electric utility rates.”

Baltimore County Planning, 2030 Master Plan and the Small Area Plan

Small Area Plan 11- White Marsh, Chase, Middle River, Bowleys Quarters, Essex, Rossville

Baltimore County Department of Planning and Zoning is seeking additional feedback for the Small Area Plan 11 Phase 2 Engagement | Small Area Plans. Small Area 11 includes the communities in and around White Marsh, Chase, Middle River, Bowleys Quarters, Essex, and Rossville. The survey focuses on Community, Economy, Open Space, and Connectivity.

Every ten years, Baltimore County submits their Master Plan to the State of Maryland. "Master Plan 2030 represents the culmination of a lengthy master-planning process which began in Spring 2021 and included community outreach and public input phases, recommendations from local experts, stakeholders and County agencies, as well as, deliberation and coordination among numerous County agencies and Department of Planning staff." (from MP2030)

The Small Area Plan 11 aligns to Baltimore County's Master Plan 2030: (from the Master Plan 2030 Document)

Building Blocks:

• Focus on preparing for the future needs of the county.
• Incorporate best planning practices.
• Provide clear implementation guidelines and benchmarks.
• Create a “living” document that will evolve throughout the years. As new studies are completed, new sections, proposals and documents will be added and linked to the main page.

Elements (OV.3):

1. Vibrant Communities— Ensuring that all residents have access to high-quality, accessible, and affordable housing, cultural and recreational opportunities in safe communities while promoting responsible economic development.
2. Equity—Being inclusive in our decision-making, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and creating opportunity for all.
3. Sustainability—Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the County's public and internal government infrastructure and safeguarding the County's ecology and climate.

Local Budgets:

I commend both the Harford County Executive, Bob Cassilly, and Baltimore County Executive, Kathy Klausmeier, in managing your budgets effectively to avoid raising taxes on the County Level.

Out in the Community:

I had so many great conversations over the Fourth of July and am already looking forward to the next time I'm out visiting each community.

One highlight last week was stopping by the Long Green Volunteer Fire Company with my daughter Kate. We enjoyed some amazing Greek food (Kate went with pizza and is already asking when we can go back!).

Thank you to Long Green and to everyone who takes the time to show up and support your local volunteer firefighters. They’re always there for us, and it's important we show up for them too.

Harford County:

Marylanders were excited to hear about the re-opening of Annie's Playground. County Executive Bob Cassilly and his team at Parks & Rec did a great job at getting this project started and finished quickly to meet the safety concerns from February.

Rockfield Manor and the surrounding parks are owned by the Town of Bel Air and serves as a connection point for many local Marylanders who have celebrated milestones or enjoyed one of the many public events hosted by the town. Congratulations on the addition of the Community Enrichment Center and we look forward to seeing the Manor flourish.

Baltimore County

Whether you're excited about Baltimore County's Summer restaurant week, or you're excited about Angel Park (a park specifically made with our disabled community in mind), there is a lot happening in Baltimore County this week... Even music in the meadow at Jerusalem Mill.

Baltimore County's Summer Restaurant Week is happening NOW through July 20th!

Be sure to visit one of the many wonderful restaurants featured in Legislative District 7.

CLICK HERE for a list of participating restaurants!

Annual Polo Match Fundraiser

Each year I host my annual Polo Match fundraiser at the Maryland Polo Fields. Catered by Richardson Farms, this is a family-friendly event you don't want to miss! Hope I can count on your support! For additional information, or to donate, CLICK HERE.

I hope you continue to have a safe and enjoyable summer. Should a need arise, feel free to email me at jb.jennings@senate.maryland.gov. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or X.

Best regards,



Senator J.B. Jennings