News From Your State Delegate
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Courtney Watson
Serving Maryland District 9B
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January 5, 2022
Greetings Friends,
With the first snowfall, it feels like it's time for the 2022 Maryland Legislative Session to begin, and I'm ready to get to work for the people of Maryland and especially, District 9B! The first day of the Legislative Session is Wednesday, January 12. While the House of Delegates Office Building will be open to the public, there will not be any receptions or large gatherings and masks must be worn at all times. The House of Delegates committee procedings will again be virtual.
The Maryland General Assembly website includes information about hearing schedules and rules pertaining to giving testimony to committees, as well as recordings of MGA hearings and legislative sessions. It's a great resource, and you can follow a bill or several bills by registering on MyMGA - click on the icon at the right hand corner of the webpage (see below).
I have prefiled three sponsored bills, and have an additional bill in the works. You can see the details of the prefiled bills here by typing "Watson" in the FILTER box.
As always, I welcome your input, so don't hesititate to contact my office. It is my honor and privilege to serve District 9B as a State Delegate.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year to you and your family!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Link to 2022 Prefiled House Bills
LWV of Howard County Forum January 8
2022 Local Legislation and Bond Bill Info
Governor's 30-day State of Emergency
HCPSS COVID Mitigation Update
HoCo Health Department on COVID Testing
Urgent Plea from Johns Hopkins Medicine
Federal No Surprises Act Now In Effect
EC250 is Almost Here!
County Executive Makes Offer for Camp Ilchester
BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grants for Nonprofits
And more...
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The 2022 Maryland Legislative Session
Begins January 12
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League of Women Voters of Howard County Plans Legislative Forum on January 8
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Join the LWVHC on January 8 at 12 pm for their annual Legislative Forum, where you can hear first-hand what your representatives in the Howard County State Delegation think about the issues affecting you and your community, and what they hope to accomplish this year.
The LWVHC will lead a conversation about our priority issues, with time allowed for questions from the audience. We encourage everyone to attend -- and to bring a friend. The session will be held over Zoom.
Register at the website to receive the Zoom Link:
LWV of Howard County
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2022 Proposed Howard County Legislation
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Senator Clarence Lam and I are currently chairing the Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly for the 2022 session. The Delegation will hold work sessions during the upcoming legislative session to discuss proposed legislation.
You can view the 2022 Howard County Delegation work sessions and meetings on YouTube through the MGA website. They are tentatively scheduled on Wednesdays at 8:30 am throughout the session, but they are subject to change.
You can view legislation of interest and proposed bond bills here.
For further information, or to be added to the distribution list for email notifications about Delegation meetings and public hearings, please feel free to contact Abbey Rubeling at the Howard County Delegation office at [email protected].
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Howard County Mask Order is in Effect
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed an executive order on December 23, 2021 requiring masks be worn indoors in all businesses and facilities open to the public, as well as public transportation, in Howard County. Ball’s decision came in consultation with local health and business leaders. The requirement has been in effect since December 26, 2021.
Vaccination and boosters may be scheduled through the County’s website.
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Governor Hogan Declares 30-Day
State of Emergency - Effective January 4
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Governor Larry Hogan took action to help combat the current COVID-19 surge by declaring a short-term, 30-day State of Emergency, which:
- Enacts Executive Orders to Regulate Hospital Personnel, Bed Space, and Supplies, Further Augment EMS Workforce
- National Guard to Assist With Opening 20 New Hospital-Adjacent Testing Sites
- Authorizes COVID-19 Booster Shots for 12- to 15-Year-Olds, Marylanders Eligible for Boosters 5 Months After Completing Primary Pfizer Doses
- Calls on Biden Administration to Immediately Increase Distribution of Monoclonal Antibodies, Approve Additional Rapid Tests for Public Use, Increase and Expedite Allocations of COVID-19 Antiviral Pills
- Urges Maryland Employers to Incentivize Vaccinations and Boosters, Encourage Masks or Face Coverings
For the full press release, click here.
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Howard County Public Schools have just released information on the latest COVID mitigation efforts. You can read about it here.
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The operating budget process is a collaborative, multi-step process involving HCPSS, the Board of Education and Howard County Government.
Public hearings are planned after the Superintendant's initial proposed budget is announced on January 13. Steps are outlined here.
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From the Howard County Health Department
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Demand for COVID testing is WAY up. Our supply of rapid tests comes from the state, and we continue to offer as many of these tests each week as we have on hand on a first-come, first-served basis at our testing clinics. In addition, we offer Azova PCR tests at our Mon-Wed-Fri clinics, both by appointment and for as many walk-ups as we can accommodate at each clinic. These tests are also available for pick-up, if you prefer to test yourself at home. You'll find the most up-to-date information on our testing clinics, including holiday hours, plus a lengthy list of other local testing providers, on our testing website: bit.ly/HoCOVIDTesting. The best way to secure a PCR test, either on site or from our take-home supply, is to make an appointment. As always, we're grateful for your patience, and we thank you for doing your part to help us control this pandemic.
So, what should you do if you test positive? Start at our "Being COVID Positive" page here.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine Urges People Not to Go to Emergency Rooms for Covid Testing
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Due to the surge of the omicron variant in our region, we are unable to provide COVID-19 testing in our emergency department for patients who do not have symptoms.
Anyone seeking a COVID-19 test due to recent exposure, or who need a test for travel, work or school requirements, should use all available resources, such as a home testing kit or an appointment at a retail pharmacy or a locally run testing facility. To read the full Johns Hopkins statement, click here.
If you are experiencing an emergency with symptoms of COVID-19 – such as trouble breathing, persistent pain in the chest, new confusion, an inability to stay awake or pale, gray or blue colored skin – go immediately to the nearest emergency department or call 9-1-1.
We are here for you in any emergency and appreciate your help in allowing us to respond to urgent needs.
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IMPORTANT NEWS:
Federal No Surprises Act Now In Effect
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On January 1, a new law went into effect – the federal No Surprises Act – that protects you from many types of surprise medical bills.
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FROM ELLICOTT CITY PARTNERSHIP
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EC250 is Almost Here!
2022 marks Ellicott City's Sestercentennial. It was 250 years ago when the Ellicott Brothers arrived in The Patapsco River Valley and decided to settle in the "wild" place we now call OEC. Join us for a year-long celebration as we discover the history and charm of Historic Ellicott City, Maryland – the town older than America! The official EC250 kickoff begins on Saturday, January 22 at the Howard County Welcome Center on Main Street.
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"Walk About EC" Community Challenge!
Start 2022 off on the right foot by participating in this community-wide Historic Health Challenge kicking off January 1! The concept: Old Ellicott City Visitors pick a course, load a pedometer app (or use our handy QR code), and start walking! Fun fitness facts will be posted up and down Main Street in the month of January, and all participants receive a free day pass to Roger Carter Community Center (RCCC). Folks with the most steps are entered into weekly drawings to win 6-month and 1-year memberships to RCCC.
Get all the details here.
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Final Countdown for Uninsured Marylanders - Sign up Through January 15
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Uninsured Marylanders have until Saturday, January 15 to sign up for health coverage through Maryland Health Connection. Nine out of 10 Marylanders who enroll get financial help to pay for their plan.
Plus, Marylanders ages 18-34 have access to additional discounts thanks to a new state law. Enroll at marylandhealthconnection.gov or call toll-free at 1-855-642-8572.
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FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE
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HoCo Economic Development Authority Proposal Finalist in Economic Development Administation Challenge
Howard County’s Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) has been named a finalist by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in its $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. As a finalist, the Authority received a $500,000 grant to support its Maryland Cyber Workforce Solutions proposal to expand access to the cybersecurity industry and build a robust pipeline to fill the more than 19,000 job openings in the field. HCEDA is one of 60 finalists selected nationally, and the only proposal in Maryland selected that will advance to Phase 2 of the challenge for up to $100 million in funding.
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Howard County Executive Ball Offers $6M to Purchase Camp Ilchester From Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
After months of negotiations, County Executive Calvin Ball announced that he has offered $6 million to purchase Camp Ilchester from the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland (GSCM). The $6 million offer is highly competitive based on the appraised value of the 20.73-acre camp, with four appraisals conducted over the past several months estimating the value of the property between $4 million and $6.2 million.
“Promoting green infrastructure and preserving open space are important priorities to protect our environment for generations to come,” said County Executive Ball. “Through this significant offer, we are moving forward on our promise to preserve land for environmental and agricultural purposes, and we look forward to working with the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland to make this a reality.”
If County Executive Ball can reach an agreement with GSCM, the County will pursue County Council approval of an Installment Purchase Agreement to secure Camp Ilchester, providing $700,000 of the purchase price at settlement and the $5.3 million balance in Fiscal Year 2023.
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FROM THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S COUNSEL
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Programs to Help Weatherize your Home
Repairs and upgrades to a home can significantly reduce energy use throughout the year, which can give you a more comfortable home, lower monthly power bills and improve air quality and family health. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers programs that may provide help with things like insulation, hot water system improvements, heating/cooling repair or replacement, renewable energy systems, and other health and safety enhancements free of charge.
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Emergency Rental Assistance Update
The Community Development Network hosted the last Emergency Rental Assistance Program update meeting for 2021 with DHCD Neighborhood Revitalization. The slides from the presentation can be found here.
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BGE Emergency Response and Safety
Grants for Local Nonprofits
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BGE is now accepting applications for our Emergency Response and Safety Grants. Local nonprofits that meet the below criteria may apply and potentially receive grants $500-$10,000. The deadline to apply is January 14, 2022.
Grant Criteria
- Organization must be a 501c3 non-profit.
- Organization must meet the grant guidelines for eligibility.
- Grant range - $500-$10,000
- Up to $2,000-Small, local size organizations focused on one community
- Up to $10,000 – Mid to large organizations working across multiple communities
- Grants are considered for new and existing programs that fall within the description guidelines and requests funding that clearly demonstrates improvement in response efforts to urgent needs of the community.
- All applications must include a project budget indicating how the grant will be spent.
- Applications will not be accepted requesting basic operating expenses.
- The project must be geographically located in the BGE service territory.
- All awarded grantees must submit a brief report within 8 months of receiving funds detailing expenditures of the grant.
- BGE employee engagement is preferred but not required.
- Applicants will be notified the status of their application in February with check processing in March.
- Organizations who receive an Emergency Response & Safety Grant will not be eligible for another grant in 2022.
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HOW TO CONTACT MY OFFICE
Your thoughts are always welcome. Please contact me by email (see the link at the top of the page). When requesting help for constituent matters, please include "constituent" in the subject line.
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Delegate Courtney Watson
Howard County District 9B
Member, Economic Matters Committee
Vice Chair, Democratic Caucus
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 350
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-3077 / 301-858-3077
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