September 24, 2020
Dear Friend:
Just when I thought 2020 couldn’t get worse, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died. We all mourn the loss of this remarkably influential woman. As a pioneer for gender equality, voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and so much more, her passing leaves an enormous void.
If Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his minions force a replacement onto the Court prior to the election, President Trump will have appointed 3 of the 9 justices. The hypocrisy of this action must not go unnoticed. In 2016, President Barack Obama was denied the ability to appoint a Supreme Court Justice under the claim that 10 months before an election was too soon to make that decision. Now, we’re looking at less than 6 weeks before an election! Affordable health care, voting rights, and reproductive choice are among the many issues at stake.
I visited the Supreme Court on Sunday to pay my respects to RBG. The display of artwork and messages I saw were extremely moving. This is one of the many pictures you can find on my Facebook Page.
Voting Season is Upon us!
If you requested a mail-in ballot using the State Board of Elections website or by returning your application via the postal service, be on the lookout for your ballot in the next several days. If you have not yet requested one but would like to vote-by-mail, please take a moment to apply now!
What to Expect When You’re Voting: A Series (Part 4)
In addition to the races for President/Vice President, Congress, Board of Education, and of the Sitting Judges, six questions will appear on your ballot. I continue to share my recommendations over the next several weeks to help you prepare.
Vote YES on Charter Question A: This sets a consistent tax rate that allows us to fund schools, libraries, and parks. Your property tax rate will remain the same unless the County Council votes unanimously to change it. Please vote YES on Question A.
Vote NO on Charter Question B: This is gadfly Robin Ficker’s latest scheme. Don’t limit our county’s future! County law already requires a unanimous Council vote to exceed the Charter’s property tax cap. Question B would remove the flexibility to act in a crisis like COVID-19. A bipartisan group of leaders strongly opposes this measure.
Banning Foam (FINALLY)
After a frustrating and unnecessary three-month delay from Gov. Hogan, Expanded Polystyrene or “Styrofoam” will finally be banned for food and beverage containers in Maryland on October 1st. Del. Brooke Lierman and I co-authored a piece in Maryland Matters discussing this ground-breaking, first-in-the-nation, ban and its importance. We can all be proud to live in a #FoamFreeMD!
Welcoming a New City Manager
There’s a new leader in Gaithersburg! City Manager Tanisha Briley comes to us from Cleveland Heights, Ohio– a city of about 43,000 and the place where my beloved Dad was raised. As I continue to partner with the Mayor and Council, I look forward to collaborating with the newest addition to their team.
If you enjoy my weekly updates, please consider following me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for photos and posts. If you have any questions or comments, send me an email!
Best,
Cheryl
Cheryl C. Kagan
State Senator, District 17
(Gaithersburg & Rockville)
PS: As people around the world celebrate the Jewish New Year, I wish you L’shana Tova. If you are observing Yom Kippur, I hope you have an easy fast. May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life!
(301) 858-3134
Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us