In This Issue:
- Celebrating U.S.A. and the Fourth of July
- Maryland's COVID-19 Positivity Rate - Record Lows!
- Vaccination Updates - Over 74% (18+) received at least one dose
- Discontinuation of Enhanced Unemployment Benefits
- Resources Available To Find A Job
- New Maryland Laws In Effect July 1st
- Hogan Appoints Brian DeLeonardo Circuit Court Judge
- Consumer Alerts - Beware of Telephone Scams
- Student Scholarships Awarded
|
|
We celebrate the Fourth of July to honor the day when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and to commemorate the birth of the United States of America, along with the freedoms and liberties for all that were fought for to create ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
I think it is timely that we will be celebrating Independence Day as we are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions. The past year and a half has tested us in ways we could never have imagined.
We have had shutdowns and economic lows and are now experiencing rapid growth. Businesses can't hire employees fast enough.
We have experienced health challenges and have lost close friends and family members to COVID. The unprecedented development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines have dramatically reduced our positivity rate and death rate and allow those who are vaccinated to return to their lives with few restrictions.
Teachers, students and parents have all struggled with the challenges of a virtual learning environment. We are proud of Carroll County Public Schools and their success in being the first school district in Maryland to return our students partially to in person learning last fall. They made tough decisions to do what was best for our students. All of our schools in Maryland will be open for the 2021-2022 school year for in-person learning.
Crime is rising in our urban areas and our law enforcement officers have been under attack. In Carroll County, we have the lowest crime rate in Maryland and our citizens respect and support our police officers. We must address the increasing crime in our neighboring jurisdictions and recognize that law enforcement officials play an important role in maintaining safety in our communities.
Every person views events through their own lens, and as our country has evolved, the words in the Declaration of Independence, "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..." are more important than ever. As we celebrate the 4th of July, we honor what America and its flag represent.
Wishing you all a safe and healthy summer. Whether you stay close to home or travel somewhere, enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends.
Susan
|
|
GOOD NEWS on Eliminating COVID-19: |
|
Positivity Rates Fall to Record Lows: Maryland’s COVID-19 Positivity Rate (7-day) Drops to 0.57%. Nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. now are people who were not vaccinated, a demonstration of how effective the shots have been. Breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people accounted for fewer than 0.1% of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The vaccine has been so effective in the U.S. that nearly every new adult death is entirely preventable- these deaths are particularly tragic.
Vaccinations: Maryland is in Phase 3 of its vaccination plan. All Marylanders 12 or older are eligible to be vaccinated. Eligibility for 12-to-17-year-old is limited to sites administering the Pfizer vaccine, as that is the only one approved for their age group.
|
|
The University System of Maryland's Chancellor
Jay A. Perman Issued COVID Vaccination Mandate for USM Students, Faculty, and Staff
|
|
|
The District 5 Delegation has written to the University of Maryland Chancellor opposing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on students to attend school. See the letter below and his response.
|
|
June 21, 2021
Chancellor Jay A. Perman, M.D.
University System of Maryland
3300 Metzerott Road
Chancellor Perman,
We write to you today on behalf of many constituents who've expressed concerns about the requirements the University of System of Maryland has put in place regarding student vaccinations. The concerns range from possible side effects of the vaccine on young people to specific religious and personal objections regarding long-term impacts that are unknown at this time. We have made sure to inform all our constituents about the availability of vaccinations and do not want to discourage anyone from receiving it. However, we are concerned about the coercive nature of this mandate from a state entity. It forces medical decisions onto students - who are statistically much less likely to contract serious cases of COVID.
As of July 1st, Maryland will be lifting its State of Emergency. According to the FDA, the emergency use of vaccines can only be required under a state of emergency. Additionally, we now know that the FDA has approved Remdesivir while they continue to test other antivirals. There are other additional medications which have shown to lessen the severity of COVID. Furthermore, the CDC has indicated that it is actively monitoring reports of increased cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in vaccinated young people.
Maryland is fully reopening and at the same time seeing an extreme drop in positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths - without the need for mandatory vaccination. We would ask that you evaluate this policy in light of these facts and concerns to make adjustments for those students who do not wish to receive the vaccine.
We know and appreciate that you and the entire University System want to provide a safe environment for everyone. We are available to discuss this issue in greater detail.
Sincerely,
|
|
As Maryland's economic recovery continues, Governor Hogan announced that the state will discontinue enhanced pandemic federal unemployment benefits and reinstate work search requirements.
“While these federal programs provided important temporary relief, vaccines and jobs are now in good supply. And we have a critical problem where businesses across our state are trying to hire more people, but many are facing severe worker shortages. After 12 consecutive months of job growth, we look forward to getting more Marylanders back to work.”
-Governor Larry Hogan
|
|
Maryland provided the federal administration with the 30 days’ written notice required by law for opting out of the following programs—effective Saturday, July 3, 2021:
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which provides an additional $300 per week
- Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
|
|
New! Carroll County Business/Employment Resource Center
Beginning July 6, 2020, The Carroll County Business Employment Resource Center (BERC), located at 224 N. Center Street, Westminster, will open fully for walk-in services and appointments with staff. Although the center will welcome walk-in customers, it is best to schedule an appointment for one-on-one assistance. Center hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Services include:
-
Registration with the Maryland Workforce Exchange
- Job search assistance
- Résumé development
- Youth employment training program and work experience
- Career development counseling
- Skills assessment and training
- Weekly job club
- Customized business training
- Employee assessments
- Apprenticeships
- Veterans employment programs
- Interview preparation
- And, more!
Customers negatively impacted by COVID-19 through loss of a job or underemployment, may be eligible to receive training to increase skills and reemployment options. Also, center staff can provide a listing of current jobs and job requirements for many job openings available in Carroll County.
|
|
Unemployment Fraud. Maryland has detected over 508,000 new potentially fraudulent unemployment insurance claims since the beginning of May. After the U.S. Congress enacted a historic expansion of unemployment benefits due to the pandemic, unemployment claims have overwhelmed state agencies. As they struggled to keep up with the UI applications, criminals have taken advantage of the chaos.
Since the start of the pandemic, more than 1.3 million unemployment insurance claims investigated by the state have been confirmed as fraudulent.
|
|
NEW MARYLAND LAWS IN EFFECT July 1st
Department of Information Technology - Study of a Common Information Technology Platform for Health Occupations Boards
The bill requires a study of all Health Occupations Boards to develop a common IT infrastructure platform for all core administrative functions including, but not limited to, common uniform licensing, scheduling and agendas, public notices, and website. This past year, the Maryland Board of Nursing has been working with DoIT to implement the program.
In addition, my legislation on Public Safety – 9–1–1 Emergency Telephone System – Alterations went into effect June 2021. To read more on this legislation, click here.
|
|
CARROLL COUNTY NEWS:
Governor Hogan Announces Brian DeLeonardo for Carroll County Circuit Court. Congratulations to Brian DeLeonardo who has been an excellent State’s Attorney for Carroll County since 2014. His appointment to the Circuit Court is well deserved but he will be sorely missed as our State’s Attorney.
As the Carroll County State’s Attorney, he oversaw an office of 50 people that handle approximately 7,000 criminal matters in District and Circuit Court each year.
Grant Awarded. A $662,986.85 grant was awarded to The Land Preservation Trust from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 111.75-acre conservation easement in the Piney Run Rural Legacy Area (Falls Road Farm, LLC property). Acquisition of this conservation easement protects productive agricultural and forest lands as well as providing protection to 3,550 linear feet of forested stream buffers along unnamed tributaries to Georges Run, which drains into the Prettyboy Reservoir. The easement will be co-held by The Land Preservation Trust and DNR.
|
|
Town Hall Meeting Tonight at 6:30pm!
|
|
CONSUMER ALERT:
Telephone Scammers Are Spoofing Local Hospitals and Public Utilities to Steal Personal Information, Threatening to Terminate Medicare Benefits
The Consumer Protection Division has received reports that scammers are “spoofing” local hospital and public utility phone numbers in an attempt to steal personal and medical information, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and/or Social Security numbers, over the phone. Some of the scammers are threatening to terminate Medicare benefits if the call recipient refuses to provide personal information over the phone.
Medicare does not request personal information about you by telephone or make threatening calls requesting your information.
If you do receive an unexpected phone call that displays the name of a local hospital, medical facility, doctor’s office, or public utility, the Attorney General recommends that you let the call go to voicemail. You can then call the hospital or utility directly – using a telephone number listed on an official website – to ask if they called you and for what reason.
Never give any personal information to a caller you do not know or on a call you did not initiate. If an unsolicited caller asks for personal information, such as SSNs or Medicare/Medicaid numbers, hang up immediately.
|
|
Foreclosure Mediation Brief Advice Attorneys will:
- Answer questions about foreclosure mediation
- Give legal advice regarding your foreclosure
- Help you understand court papers and documents you received regarding your foreclosure
|
|
Each year, Carroll County (District 5) High School Seniors who will be attending a Maryland college or university, have the opportunity to apply for a Delegate Susan Krebs Scholarship. Over $50,000 was awarded to these academic standouts who have extensive community service. They are recognized for their leadership skills and have built a strong foundation to be very successful as they continue their education. Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 Scholarship!
Applications for the 2022 Scholarships will be available in mid-January. More information will be available at a later date.
|
|
During the interim, the best way to contact my office is to email:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
