February 2, 2024

“Death with Dignity”

Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher (also of Montgomery County) has introduced SB443: The End-of-Life Option Act. This creates a process for a patient to request– and potentially receive– aid in dying.

I am staunchly pro-choice, so I always support bodily autonomy. We should have the right to decide what happens at the end of our lives. I have co-sponsored legislation on this issue many times– dating back to my tenure in the House of Delegates.

You may recall the tragic story of Brittany Maynard, who had an inoperable cancerous brain tumor. When she was diagnosed at just 29 years old, she and her husband Dan Diaz had to move to Oregon, so that Brittany could exercise her autonomy and ensure a peaceful death. I hope you’ll watch and share my conversation with Dan on this heart-wrenching topic.

SB443 has a hearing scheduled for next Thursday, February 8, at 1:00 pm in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Please urge your legislators to cast a favorable vote, so that we will join ten other states and D.C. in offering this compassionate choice. With your advocacy, I am hopeful that this important bill will be enacted this year.

A Mindful Month

Yesterday began Black History Month. This commemoration was originally established in 1926 during the second week of February, so as to coincide with the birthdays of President Lincoln and renowned orator Frederick Douglass. Douglass was born enslaved on our Eastern Shore and secured his freedom at age 20. In 1864, as a well-known abolitionist, he visited our State House to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved Marylanders.

I encourage you to watch my friend and colleague, Sen. Mary Washington, as she delivered a powerful narrative on Maryland’s Black history.

“Moore Mingling”

As a very early supporter of candidate Wes Moore, I always treasure the opportunity to reconnect. I recently chatted with Governor Moore about his legislative initiatives as well as some of my priorities.

Photo credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Hearings Make Me Hopeful

As you may have read here last week, six of my bills had hearings in the past few days. I am grateful to the thoughtful and articulate election experts from the League of Women Voters; Common Cause; the MD Public Interest Research Group; and others.

UPDATE: Two of my bills were approved unanimously in Committee yesterday!

Connecting with Constituents

I’m always thrilled to see my constituents from Gaithersburg and Rockville when they come to lobby in Annapolis. I chatted with members of “Moms Demand Action” outside the State House and reiterated my commitment to ending gun violence.

I’m always inspired by the statue of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

All the best,

Cheryl

Cheryl C. Kagan

State Senator, District 17

(Gaithersburg & Rockville)

www.CherylKagan.org

PS: As a Scrabble fiend, I love words– and puns. Once again, I competed in the quarterly Pun DMV contest at the DC Improv. Check out my performance here!