Legislative & Community Updates

March 26, 2026 Dear Friend: This week began with Crossover Day-- the unofficial deadline for bills to move from the Senate to the House (or vice versa) if they are to be guaranteed a hearing in the opposite chamber. Below …

March 13, 2026 Dear Friend: We’ve had some wacky weather this week-- 80 degrees followed by a tornado watch and snowflakes! I am writing from Annapolis with an exciting update.   March 11th marked “3-1-1 Day,” an annual opportunity to …

January 13, 2026 Dear Friend: The 449th Legislative Session begins tomorrow at noon. As always, I am focused on a jam-packed legislative agenda advancing practical, thoughtful policies that reflect the needs of Gaithersburg, Rockville, and the entire state. I submitted …

Christmas Eve 2025 Happy belated Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanzaa! It has been a long and supremely challenging year. The hateful, short-sighted, vindictive policies of the Trump Administration have made every day a new nightmare. Where should I begin? Disrespecting our …

May 9, 2025 Dear Friend: What a week! In addition to everything you'll read about in this email, I was honored to interview American Hero and Civil Rights Activist Dion Diamond following a screening of the documentary "Ain't No Back …

March 20, 2026 Dear Friend: Of the 1,406 bills introduced in the Senate this session, the most significant is always the State Budget. Unlike Congress, Maryland is required by our Constitution to pass a balanced budget. This week, the Senate …

February 20, 2026 Dear Friend: Each President’s Day, the Senate convenes in our historic Senate Chamber, where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. This tradition maintains Maryland’s status as the oldest State House in continuous operation.  …

January 6, 2026 Dear Neighbor: Happy New Year! Here's hoping that 2026 will bring hope, peace, success, good health,... and sanity in these crazy times! I'm writing again to tell you that I goofed in my last email. One of …

June 26, 2025 Dear Friend: Senate emails have changed. My new address is Cheryl.Kagan@senate.maryland.gov. Please make a note so you can stay in touch! Spread the Word! One of my priority bills this past session was creating a Nonprofit Navigator position in the …

Spring 2025 Dear Friend:   Continuing from last week-- this is the second (and final!) installment of my wrap-up from the 2025 legislative session. If you missed last week's, you can check it out here. Improving Our Elections Maryland’s elections are …