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In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I want to share my true affection for my beautiful District and all of my friends and neighbors. Last week was chaotic but very productive as we finally got back to the House Floor (or Annex, in my case). There are many causes that are dear to my heart, but none more important than caring for those in need and being a voice for those who are vulnerable. So much of my work revolves around these principles and I honestly appreciate the support of so many of you who make time to actively testify for these initiatives or just stop by to chat in office hours. I also value the conversations that I have with those of you who may not agree with all of my positions but who are willing to talk it out respectfully. I do my very best to take all of my constituent concerns into account when making hard votes and that is why you will see that my voting record is less partisan than most of the Members of the General Assembly. Often the support and opposition on certain bills are almost equally split in 42B. At those times, I do my very best to study and evaluate the issue and try to make the right decision. Sometimes there are “votes of conscience” informed by my beliefs, my life and professional experiences, or my nature as a caretaker that may not be popular with all of you. I can’t always promise to make all of my constituents happy, but I DO promise to always listen to you, to do my very best to make the right decisions, and to fight for you when you need my help whether we always agree or not. I truly care about Maryland and especially 42B!
 
On a lighter note, I was visited by two special Valentines when I worked too long on Friday night in Annapolis. My wonderful husband Greg and my puppy Xerxes! The humans had a nice socially distanced dinner in town and the pup LOVED his visit to Salty Paws dog ice cream shop and bakery (I know, right????)
My view from the annex
Isn't he just the cutest puppy?
Last Friday had the privilege of voting to pass the RELIEF Act, which provides over $1.5 billion in pandemic relief and will infuse the State's economy with $509.0 million in spending and provide over $1.0 billion in tax relief and credits:
  • Maryland becomes the highest state in the nation for its earned income tax credit. This will put cash in the pockets of low-income Maryland taxpayers. Families with children will receive up to $730 more for a total of nearly $1,700.
  • Maryland has also raised the earned income tax credit for individuals with no children from nearly $100 to $530.
  • Unemployment insurance payments will be exempt from the State income tax, keeping over $225.0 million in the pockets of unemployed Marylanders.
  • Marylanders who qualified for the earned income tax credit in 2019 will be provided with stimulus payments of up to $500.
  • Allows small businesses to keep sales tax collections of up to $9,000 over a three month period.
  • Helps up to 100,000 small businesses and nonprofits to defer paying unemployment insurance taxes until the first three months of 2022 to help cash flow.
  • Layoffs will not impact an employer's experience rating for FY 20 and FY 21.
  • Forgives Maryland taxes on COVID loans and grants.
$22M in Temportary Disability Assistance

$83M in Utility Assistance

$10 in Emergency Housing Assistance

$22M in Restaurant Assistance

$20M in Grants to Nonprofits

$10M in Assistance to Businesses that do not collect sales tax

$7M for Local Workforce Development Boards

$20M in Behavioral Health Services

$2M for Rural Broadband Expansion
My Bills Continue to Move Forward!
HB 258 passed the House 132-0!!!!

I had my first bill pass the house this year without a single dissenting vote! This bill will help school systems develop and evaluate educational policy for foster youth.

I am additionally excited that HB 247 -- Voting Order Priority has passed out of the Ways and Means Committee, and HB 392 - Early Childhood Screenings and Assistance has passed through to third reader!

I also had four more bill hearings last week.
HB 713 - County Boards of Education - Therapy Dogs -
Policy for Handling and Use in Schools
"The Best Therapist Had Fur and Four Legs."

While I missed holding Kozy Girl while giving my testimony this year, I was very excited to present HB 713 to bring therapy dog programs into Maryland Public Schools. I'd like to thank Harriet Kuhn as well as Gina Kazimir from Pets on Wheels, Mary Margaret Callahan from Pet Partners, Kathy Klotz from Intermountain Therapy Dogs, and Nancy George Michalson from New York Therapy Animals, Inc. for testifying and sharing how therapy dog programs have benefitted many around the country. It is time to have these programs available for our students.
HB 715 - Public Schools - Self-Contained Special Education Classrooms - Use of Video Recording Devices
I'd like to thank all the parents and advocates who testified for this bill, which will protect our most vulnerable students and their teachers. I can't thank you enough for your personal and emotional stories.
HB 714 - Special Education - Learning Continuity Plan - Requirement
I'd like to thank Lori Scott, Megan Mulvenna, Ande Kolp of The Arc Maryland, and Rico Winston and his son for their testimonies in support of HB 714. This bill will ensure that students receive appropriate IEP services during any school shutdown.
HB 724 - Special Education - Education and Vocational Services - Prolonged School Closure
It is crucial we provide essential transition services and job training to special education students who have missed out on receiving these to no fault of their own during the COVID-19 shutdown. I'd like to thank Lisa Weiderlight, Steve Bress, and Leslie Margolis for their testimonies.
In the News
You can read more about these bills in articles by Maryland Matters and WTOP.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Baltimore County has administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to over 96,000 residents nearly 12% of the county's population. They have administered the second dose to over 38,000 residents.

If you haven't registered to be contacted once you become eligible to received the vaccine, please register by clicking here. Please note, completing this form does not create an appointment for COVID-19 vaccination.

If you are unable to sign up on the form or have any difficulty with the process of getting vaccinated please call 311 or the Department of Aging at 410-887-3816 for assistance from a live representative.

Free testing is still available. For more information on when and where you can be tested please click here.

For more information COVID-19 updates and guidance from Baltimore County please click here.

Additional resources for COVID-19 assistance and relief can be found on my website micheleguyton.com. Mental health resources are also available on my website.
Updated BCPS Re-Opening Timeline
BCPS has announced a phased-in return to hybrid learning with two in-person learning days and three virtual learning days per week. Families may choose to hybrid learning by going to their school's website and filling out the virtual form.
March 1 - (Phases 1 and II)
  • Students in Public Separate Day Schools
  • Students in Preschool - Grade 2: including students in 3-year-old programs; 4-year-old programs; Pre-K; Kindergarten; Grade 1 & 2; and Grade 3 students in Grade 2/3 class in a special education regional program.
March 15 - (Phase III)
  • Students in Grade 3-12 with certain Individualized Education Programs -- CLS, FALS, DHH, SEL, SCLS.
  • Students in Career and Technical Education programs that require hands-on learning experiences
March 22 - (Phase IV a)
  • Remaining students in Grades 6 and 9
April 6 - (Phase IV b)
  • Remaining students in Grades 3-5; 7-8; and 10-12
Students whose families chose hybrid learning will be assigned to Cohort A or B based on their address. Students who choose to continue fully virtual learning or who did not respond to the questionnaire will be in Cohort C.

For more Information please visit BCPS.org.