Cats, Consumers, & (re)Counts

February 11, 2022
Dear Friend:
Happy (early) Valentine’s Day! I love representing Gaithersburg and Rockville in the Maryland Senate. Here’s an overview of our busy week:
Banning a Barbaric Practice
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Last night, my Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee passed SB67 (my bill to ban cat declawing) in a 10-1 vote! We must stop performing this horrific surgery that not only removes the nails of a cat but also cuts off their ENTIRE first knuckle and leaves many of them in terrible pain!
Moving Through the Senate
My first two bills have passed the Senate and have moved on to the House! SB245 provides full funding for the Nonprofit Interest-Free Micro Bridge Loan (read on to learn more about this program). SB101 establishes guidelines for election recounts.
Funding for Nonprofits!
In 2017, I created the Nonprofit, Interest-free, Micro Bridge Loan (NIMBL) to support nonprofits awaiting government grant money. This program offers loans of up to $25,000. Watch this short video to understand how NIMBL might help your organization!
Highlighting this Week’s Hearings
Four more hearings meant that I crossed the halfway mark of presenting my 30 bills!
  • SB372: Coal tar sealants contain high levels of toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and wildlife. Home Depot, Lowe’s, TruValue, and Ace Hardware have already removed this product from their shelves; this bill would ban the use of these dangerous sealants on driveways and parking lots.
  • SB373: The Department of Transportation has been misusing the MD Public Information Act (MPIA) to withhold information. This bill would update the MPIA to increase transparency without violating our privacy.
  • SB262: This bill would clarify that legislators may only award scholarships to their own constituents. Funds would follow students who move to another district.
  • SB322: Gas prices are skyrocketing– yet, Maryland law requires gas stations to post the lowest (cash) price when ~90% of us pay for gas with our credit or debit cards! To avoid “bait and switch,” this consumer protection bill mandates that signs display either the higher (credit) price or both the cash and credit prices. Attorney General Brian Frosh continues to endorse this measure.
Choosing a New MCPS Superintendent
The Montgomery County Public School Board unanimously appointed interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight as the first female superintendent. She will continue to focus on the recovery from the pandemic. To learn more about the new Superintendent, check out her episode of Kibbitzing with Kagan!
Please follow me on Facebook (@CherylCKagan), Twitter (@CherylKagan), and Instagram (@CherylCKagan) for photos and posts. My website has information about COVID; Unemployment Insurance assistance; internships; scholarships; and more. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be notified of new episodes of “Kibbitzing with Kagan.” And, you can always send questions or comments to me via email.
Best,
Cheryl
Cheryl C. Kagan
State Senator, District 17
(Gaithersburg & Rockville)
PS: The Super Bowl is Sunday! Did you know that two Gaithersburg natives are playing?
Profile

Senator Cheryl C. Kagan

State Senator
Rockville & Gaithersburg
Recent Posts
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