Annapolis Update: 
Sunday, February 22, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

This week, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries came to Annapolis to pressure the Maryland Senate to redraw our congressional map. Last week, Governor Moore publicly pressured the Senate President at his state of the state address.

Representatives shouldn’t choose their voters. Voters should choose their representatives. All I see is an expertly engineered, all-blue map. Maryland already has 7 very Democrat-leaning districts and 1 Republican-leaning district.



Under this redistricting proposal:

-District 1 loses 18.2% of its Republican vote share - the largest partisan shift anywhere in the state.

-Every single district drops below 45% Republican.

That’s not an accident. That’s by design.

I’ve heard from countless Marylanders who don’t want their voices diluted or their communities carved up to achieve a political outcome. The Eastern Shore and our surrounding areas have a distinct voice and conservative values. Changing that by force isn’t fairness, it’s manipulation.

I’ll keep standing up for the families of LD7 and Congressional District 1, because no political map will silence our community.

Transparency Matters: Where is your money going?

This week, my staff and I reviewed the most recent findings from the Office of Legislative Audits. These reports are public documents and are available to every Marylander for review. Transparency matters, and so does accountability.

The audits identified approximately $3.4 billion in funds that were not properly documented. That figure alone raises serious concerns about internal controls and financial oversight. When funds are not clearly tracked or supported with appropriate documentation, it undermines public trust and complicates responsible budgeting.

In addition, the report highlighted $888 million in potentially unfunded liabilities. In practical terms, this refers to projects that were categorized or presented as “federal projects,” but for which federal funding was either never formally approved, not fully secured, or not recovered. When that happens, the financial responsibility does not disappear, it shifts to Maryland taxpayers. That is a significant exposure and one that requires careful scrutiny.

There is also $67 million in funding that remains uncertain, with questions about whether it is recoverable. Determining the status of those funds is critical as we continue through the budget process.

During DHS briefings, the Department of Legislative Services noted that required reports were 143 days overdue and that certain federal funds had not been approved, properly documented, or recovered. Interestingly enough, Secretary Lopez was absent from both the Senate and House DHS briefings, leaving much to be desired in terms of accountability. He then resigned, effective Monday, February 22. 

In response to the Department’s ongoing budgeting and reporting concerns, legislative analysts are considering withholding $750,000 in DHS funds until the department can provide the requested documentation and clearer information regarding its spending programs. This action is intended to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and compliance moving forward.

Marylanders deserve clear answers, responsible management of taxpayer dollars, and leadership that prioritizes transparency and fiscal accountability. As more information becomes available through the committee process, I will continue to review the facts and communicate updates.

Potential for Energy Savings:

Residents who are interested in enrolling in a community solar project should visit the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) website to review available projects.

A representative from BGE advised that BGE does not recommend specific projects and encourages residents to carefully review all program details and enrollment materials before making a decision.

BGE Community Solar

MEA’s Community Solar Page:

Maryland Community Solar

MD PSC’s Community Solar Page:

Community Solar Program - Maryland Public Service Commission

Some energy companies offer "off-peak rates," these are known as Time of Use (TOU) rates. TOU rates are available to residential customers upon request and require a smart meter to be installed at the residence. Additional information and energy-saving tips related to Time-of-Use rates are available on your utility's TOU webpage.

House Bill 55 is moving to the

Senate this week:

House Bill 55 - Vehicle Laws - Speed Monitoring Systems - Residential Districts 

House Bill 55 authorizes the installation of speed cameras in residential areas with speed limits of 35 mph or less to all local jurisdictions. Any expansion must still comply with existing local legislation and program requirements. House Bill 55 has made its way through the House of Delegates and will be heard in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. 

Farmers and Rural Community Members:

We all know that farmers help make life possible. They grow the food on our tables, produce the fiber for our textiles, and steward the land that sustains us all. This week, the Maryland Farm Bureau shared two important updates that I’d like to pass along.

John Deere has been invited to host a webinar on the Right to Repair, giving farmers the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly about the industry’s current position. The ability to repair your own equipment is a fundamental issue for many hardworking farmers operating on tight margins. To register for the webinar, click HERE.

It is also Grain Bin Safety Week. You can nominate a local fire department to receive life-saving training and equipment to assist in rescuing farmers in grain bin emergencies. To submit a nomination, click HERE.

Thank you to everyone who came to Annapolis to testify on legislation this week. This week, my bills were heard on Arabian Horse Racing, Program Open Space, Historic Vehicles, Open Government, State Archives, Cooperative Housing Use of Funds, and Department of Information Technology Master Plan. For those who stopped by the office, it's always great for staff and me to meet constituents.

Community Input Meeting: Green Tree EcoPark

Baltimore County has scheduled a Community Input Meeting (CIM) regarding the proposed Green Tree EcoPark project. These meetings are an opportunity for residents to hear directly from the applicant, ask questions, and place concerns on the public record before any final decisions are made.

The meeting will be hosted by the Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections and is part of the formal review process for development proposals.

Why This Matters

Projects of this scale can have a real impact on traffic patterns, environmental conditions, nearby property owners, and overall quality of life. It is critical that working families, small business owners, and community members have a seat at the table.



Public input ensures:

• Transparency in the approval process
• Accountability from developers
• Proper consideration of environmental and infrastructure impacts
• Protection of surrounding neighborhoods

As Maryland continues to face infrastructure pressures and rising costs, we must approach every major proposal carefully and responsibly. Decisions made today will affect our communities for decades.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Attend the meeting in person
• Review project materials in advance
• Submit written comments if unable to attend

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. 

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Best regards,

Senator J.B. Jennings