See you at Sunday's Virtual Town Hall

January 21, 2022

Dear Friend:

Now that President Biden and U.S. Senate Democrats have been stymied in their efforts to pass critically needing voting rights legislation, attention will return to the states. I am sponsoring four emergency election bills to ensure that Marylanders’ votes are counted; modify funding and procurement laws regarding election costs; and establish parameters for election recounts.

Read on for updates from our first full week of session:

Preventing 9-1-1 Misuse

My first two 9-1-1 bills were heard in the Senate this week. SB83 criminalizes the jamming of our phone or digital emergency lines, and SB57 increases penalties for hoax calls to 9-1-1 that bring SWAT teams and could injure or kill an innocent person.

When 9-1-1 fails, people die. The 9-1-1 Commission I chair has strongly endorsed these bills; I’m hoping that these public safety will be enacted so that emergency assistance will always be available for those who need it.

There’s Something in the Water…

84% of poultry plants in Maryland failed their state inspections, but only a paltry 2% were penalized. This was among the many concerns raised in a hearing with the Secretary of the Environment. My Education, Health, & Environmental Affairs Committee colleagues also learned more about a sewage spill in Southern Maryland. These incidents raise the question– what’s in our drinking water? Massive understaffing is plaguing the Department and exacerbating these issues. Our tough questions should help hold them accountable.

Next Week’s Bill Hearings

Next week, I have a whopping seven bill hearings! You can watch the live-streams online if you’d like:

Tuesday, January 25, 1pm

SB67: Banning Cat Declawing (“de-knuckling”)

SB245: NIMBL Nonprofit Loan Funding Enhancement

Wednesday, January 26, 1pm

SB101: Election Recounts

SB112: Prohibiting Fake Ballot Drop Boxes

SB158: Election Funding & Procurement Reform

SB163: Curing & Precinct-level Reporting and…

SB149: Disclosure for Rental Car Spare Tires

Testing, Testing

Have you ordered your free COVID tests? The Biden Administration has set up a website with a super-easy form so that 4 rapid COVID tests will be mailed to your home. Help prevent further spikes in the virus by ordering or picking up a test today! And… #GetVaxxed #StayMasked

Join Us This Sunday!

Your District 17 legislators (Kumar Barve, Jim Gilchrist, Julie Palakovich Carr, and me) will host a Virtual Town Hall this Sunday, January 23, at 7:00 pm. Please RSVP now and include any issues that especially interest you. Hope to see you online Sunday!

Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for photos and posts. Check out my newly updated website for a broad range of helpful information. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be notified of new episodes of “Kibbitzing with Kagan.” And, you can always send questions or comments to me via email.

Best,

Cheryl

Cheryl C. Kagan

State Senator, District 17

(Gaithersburg & Rockville)

www.CherylKagan.org

PS: Check out this week’s episode of “Kibbitzing with Kagan,” which features Glendora Hughes and focuses on her extraordinary career defending Marylanders’ civil rights.

See you at Sunday’s Virtual Town Hall

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