March 8, 2024

And, March is Women’s History Month! I am grateful to the powerful women who mentored me and take pride in mentoring talented young women.

Celebrating the 51%

Did you know that women invented the refrigerator, windshield wipers, and even chemotherapy? Throughout history, there have been many legendary women with Maryland roots– including Harriet Tubman and Rachel Carson.

In honor of Women’s History Month, I am engaging terrific women in conversation on my podcast, “Kibbitzing with Kagan.” Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or YouTube to listen or watch when they are posted!

No Deadline on Equality!

Sen. Ariana Kelly introduced– and I co-sponsored– SJ01, which urges the Biden Administration to affirm the 24-word Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.

Along with other women Senators, I wore green to celebrate the ERA as it was debated on the floor of the Senate. The ERA passed the U.S. Congress in 1972, and Maryland was one of the first states to ratify it. In 2020, when Virginia signed on under the leadership of my friend, then-Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (now running for Congress!), the ERA finally reached the 3/4 enactment threshold. Here’s hoping…

Tough Decision

Usually, I know how I’ll vote on a bill, but there are rare instances when I struggle. SB474, The Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act, was one of the latter. One of the Governor’s top priorities, it would exempt data centers from a standard environmental review process. These data centers will bring tens of thousands of jobs and significant tax revenue to Maryland, but they are likely to have a significant impact on our State’s climate goals. I reluctantly voted for the bill– after adding a transparency measure– because I trust Gov. Moore and believe that the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks. As you know, the legislature always has the option of returning next year to review the laws we’ve enacted and consider any needed modifications.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Did you know that only 27% of voters aged 18-29 cast a ballot in 2022? In addition to electing our leaders, we also vote on ballot measures– issues brought to the people to decide. For example, the legalization of abortion will be on your ballot this November.

Maryland has “closed primaries,” which means you must be registered with one of the political parties in order to vote this May. See you at the polls!

Terrific Additions!

Impressive young people abound throughout the State– and in my office! I’d like to introduce my four hard-working interns:

Jordyn Loring (top left), whom I have introduced earlier, will graduate in May with a degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. Hyunwoo Roh (top right) is a graduate student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Brett Oppenheimer (bottom left) will graduate in May from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Environmental Studies. Bri Reid (bottom right) is in the Master of Public Policy program at the University of Maryland.

The Professor is In!

I recently had the chance to speak to about 100 students in a Public Policy class at the University of Maryland. They wanted to hear about being a woman in elected office; how to market and advocate for legislation; and how to balance personal values and political pragmatism. The students were engaged and inquisitive, and my new intern Bri is also the professor’s teaching assistant!

Getting Help

It is important to recognize the mental health crisis facing our youth. Nearly one in five adolescents have seriously considered suicide, according to the CDC. This is even higher for youth from marginalized populations.

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If you or a loved one is thinking about suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, 9-8-8 is available via call or text

to provide support. Please spread the word; the more people

who are aware of 9-8-8, the more lives can be saved.

All the best,

Cheryl

Cheryl C. Kagan

State Senator, District 17

(Gaithersburg & Rockville)

www.CherylKagan.org

PS: As students are reflecting on their futures, finances can be a major factor. The deadline to submit the FAFSA or Maryland One App in order to apply for financial aid from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is June 1. Learn more here and check out my recent Kibbitz with MHEC Acting Secretary Dr. Sanjay Rai. You can also watch my Kibbitz with Secretary Paul Monteiro, who leads the Department of Service & Civic Innovation– which encompasses the exciting MD Service Year Option.

Don’t forget that my Senatorial Scholarships provide significant financial support for qualified undergraduate and graduate students. Check them out and apply soon!