Preparing to Begin! (Jan. 12, 2016)

After a busy interim, I am preparing for the beginning of the legislative session tomorrow at noon. My staff and I have been hard at work to guarantee that the 2016 session will be successful for Gaithersburg, Rockville, Montgomery County, and our entire State.
  
Introducing My Team
I’m delighted to have assembled a group of enthusiastic, intelligent, and dedicated staff and interns.  My new Chief of Staff is Patrick Donoho, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his advocacy for various interests over the years.  Eric Britton joined us last June and is helping to coordinate our legislative agenda.
 

Additionally, our office is enhanced by the presence of Legacy Fellow Ceceil Belong as well as interns Dolly Kildee, Abbey Viado, and Jake Williams. Each is managing one of my bills as well as a number of other constituent-related responsibilities.

 
An Interesting Year
Unfortunately, partisanship is likely to be on the agenda at the start, as the Senate and House seek to override some of Governor Hogan’s vetoes.  Other than that, I hope to work with his Administration whenever possible and hope that we can reach a bipartisan consensus on key issues facing Maryland.
 
What’s on the Agenda
My first year in Senate brought victories on Organ Donation, “Fertility Parity,” winning funding for local priorities, and other key issues.
 
This year, my legislative agenda includes bills that deal with proposals affecting access to State government, a pilot program dealing with impaired driving, replacing our State Song, tweaking our voter registration process, and tackling the efficiency and transparency of the 911 emergency call system.  Next week, two of my bills will have their Senate hearings!  I will let you know how things go in my next update.  
 
Working For You…
 
I hope these letters provide you with helpful insights on some of the work of the second legislative session of our four-year term. Over the next 90 days, my Annapolis staff and I will be eager to hear your thoughts on pending legislation and assist you with any challenges with our State government agencies.  
Finally, you can keep up with news, upcoming events, and legislative developments by visiting our website, www.CherylKagan.org.  Stay in touch with me via Facebook at State Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, on Twitter at @CherylKagan, and on Instagram at @CherylCKagan.   
 
Best,
  
Cheryl

Cheryl C. Kagan
State Senator, District 17
Rockville & Gaithersburg
301/858-3134 
 
PS:  “District 17 Night in Annapolis” is coming up soon!  Mark your calendar for Monday, January 25th from 6-8 and plan to join other Rockville and Gaithersburg residents for a glimpse into our legislative session!  You can email your RSVP here.
 
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By authority of Citizens Helping Elect Cheryl Kagan (C.H.E.C.K.), Michael Frazier, Chair; Rosie Cassidy, Treasurer.