As you know, I have been working to update our 9-1-1 systems for more than a decade. This session, I’m sponsoring two bills to improve public safety:

  • Establishing a Statewide 3-1-1 System (SB114): This bill would create a statewide     3-1-1 system using Artificial Intelligence to lighten the load on our 9-1-1 Centers. A 2022 Baltimore Sun article revealed that a shocking 80% of Baltimore City’s 9-1-1 calls were for nonemergencies.
  • Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act (SB148): This would provide an income tax deduction for retiring 9-1-1 Specialists, recognizing their vital role in emergency response.

Banning Insurrectionists

I was proud to host four law enforcement heroes who testified before Congress about their nightmarish experience on January 6. (Pictured: Michael Fanone, Harry Dunn, Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, and Officer Daniel Hodges.)

 

With every Democratic Senator joining me, I am sponsoring SB962, legislation to prohibit individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 insurrection from being appointed to a board, commission, task force, or workgroup. Those who committed dangerous and seditious acts should never be elevated to roles that shape policy or advise leaders.

Senate’s Got A Brand New (Green) Bag

Speaking of appointments, Secretary Mollie Byron delivered 292 nominations to Maryland’s Boards and Commissions in a historic green leather satchel. You can watch my conversation with her on my latest “Kibbitzing with Kagan” podcast. If you are interested in serving, I encourage you to learn more and apply!

Our former Delegate and my longtime friend, Kumar Barve, was unanimously confirmed as the new Chair of the Public Service Commission. I had the honor of introducing him at his confirmation hearing; you can check out our kibbitz.

And Briefly…
  • Last week, I wrote about the dreadful shooting at Wootton High School. Today, I’m writing about a different issue affecting Wootton– the MCPS Superintendent’s proposal to close it, based on flawed data. I am working with colleagues to amend SB31. You can read more in Montgomery Perspective: “Kagan Criticizes ‘Really Bad Estimates’ from MCPS.”
  • Ramadan Mubarak! I extend my best wishes to our neighbors who are observing the holy month of Ramadan.
  • Happy Lunar New Year to our neighbors celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse. Tomorrow, Rockville is hosting a free celebration from 1:00-3:30pm at Richard Montgomery High School with lots of fun activities, interactive displays, and cultural performances.
  • U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen met with the Legislative Jewish Caucus to discuss recent tensions between him and the Jewish community.
  • I was delighted to meet Joe, a Special Olympian and powerlifter, and other advocates on Developmental Disabilities Day.

Saying Goodbye to Civil Rights Icons

We lost two towering leaders of the Civil Rights Movement with the deaths this week of Rev. Jesse Jackson and JoAnne Bland. Bland was one of the youngest to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on “Bloody Sunday.” I was deeply honored to learn from her, the co-founder and former Director of the National Voting Rights Museum, on a Civil Rights pilgrimage last November. Watch my Senate remarks honoring her.

Follow me on Facebook (@CherylCKagan), Twitter/X (@CherylKagan), and Instagram (@CherylCKagan) for photos and posts. My website has a portal to request help with challenges you’re having with State government. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Apple podcasts, or Spotify to be alerted to new episodes of my “Kibbitzing with Kagan” podcast. And you can always send me questions or comments via email.

Best,

 

Cheryl

 

Cheryl C. Kagan

State Senator, District 17

(Gaithersburg & Rockville)

Vice Chair, Education, Energy, & the Environment Committee

www.CherylKagan.org

410-841-3134

P.S. Last night, my team and I took a chance to laughed together at Pun Night at the DC Improv!

Unsubscribe from future updates