Winter 2019

Season’s Greetings! Thanks for taking time to visit my website. 

We are gearing up for a busy and historic legislative session that will begin on January 8th. This year, we will see an epic transition in the Maryland Senate. After a record-breaking 33-year tenure, President Mike Miller has decided to shift to being a member of the Senate rather than its visionary and thoughtful leader. I expect that my friend and colleague, Senator Bill Ferguson, will become the new Senate President. In addition to the change at the top, two of the four standing committees will have new Chairs, and three will have new Vice Chairs. Senator Ferguson recently announced his leadership team, and I am honored that he has chosen me to serve as the Vice Chair of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. 

Maryland’s General Assembly is only in session for 90 days, so the interim period is critical to prepare for the following year. Since we adjourned in April, I have been busy meeting with colleagues, subject matter experts, and constituents to identify the issues that need attention in the upcoming session. As always, there is a lot of work to do! 

I have a legislative agenda that ranges from 9-1-1 to nonprofits, bathrooms to breweries, and postage to paychecks. The statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 Commission I chair continues to make extraordinary progress as we prepare to  update Maryland’s emergency systems. On another issue, I will be sponsoring a “Paycheck Fairness” bill to ensure that our State employees are paid based on merit rather than salary history so as to move toward pay equity.

Prior to the Senate reconvening, I will be hosting my annual “Senator Kagan Milkshake Fundraiser.” Please consider joining us at the iconic Annapolis “Chick & Ruth’s Delly” on Monday, January 6, 2020. (If you are unable to attend, I would be grateful for a donation of any size prior to noon on January 8th.) 

If you would like to read about my accomplishments from last year, check out my 2019 Session wrap-up. Highlights include the passage of “Carl Henn’s Law” (named in memory of a local Rockville activist) and two other new laws that update our 9-1-1 system. Another highlight with national implications was my bill that made Maryland the first state in the country to ban harmful polystyrene (brand name “Styrofoam”). Additionally, we addressed a serious police recruitment crisis; reformed our technology start-up fund; passed needed election reforms; and secured State support for important local projects. 

As you may know, I created and produced an UnNaugural Concert each of the past three years. The fourth and final concert will be held in Rockville on Saturday, January 18, 2020. Once again, I have five performers (with headliner Tom Chapin!) raising funds for five worthy causes. You can watch videos from past concerts and learn more about the event. 

I want to hear from you! If you need help with a State agency or want to share your opinion on pending legislation, feel free to reach out to me at

Cheryl.Kagan@Senate.State.md.us. I am also very active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When the Senate reconvenes, I will send weekly emails with the latest happenings; during the rest of the year, I send updates less frequently. I encourage you to sign up in order to stay informed!

Warm wishes for the holidays!

Cheryl

Cheryl C. Kagan
State Senator
District 17 (Rockville & Gaithersburg)

P.S. In my “spare” time,  I have hosted acoustic concerts in Rockville for the past 17 years. Let me know if you would like to be invited to future shows.