April 18, 2019
Dear Friend:

Investing in Maryland’s Public Schools

“The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” launched the first two years of this innovative and comprehensive effort with a $700 million down payment. Included are incentives to increase teacher salaries; provide grants to high-poverty schools; and fund school-based health centers across the State.

Expanded polystyrene foam, or “Styrofoam,” is dangerous for both our environment and our health. Fish and mammals eat it, thinking it is food; we then ingest the toxic chemicals. My bill passed with veto-proof majorities in both houses, so I expect that Maryland will become the first state in the nation to ban Styrofoam !
Supporting Working Families by “Fighting for $15”

Montgomery County has already enacted a $15 minimum wage to support working families, and I believed it was time to replicate that statewide. The standard will rise incrementally each year until 2025. By a party-line vote, the Senate overrode the Governor’s veto and was joined by the House. While I had hoped for a bipartisan consensus, I am glad that we were able to #FightFor15!

On July 27, 2010, Rockville activist Carl Henn died when 9-1-1 failed. His tragic death inspired me to dedicate the past five years to improving our emergency response system. This year, all three of my bills passed, advancing Maryland towards “Next Generation 9-1-1.”
Tackling Police Recruitment Challenges

Montgomery County had 300 fewer police applicants in 2018 than 10 years earlier. My “Freedom to Serve” legislation will enhance the linguistic and ethnic diversity of our applicant pools .

Clean, renewable energy is a proven driver of economic development and job creation. Today, most of our electricity is generated by carbon-spewing fossil fuels—coal and natural gas. This year’s “Clean Energy Jobs Act” will require that 50% of our energy come from renewable sources by 2030 .

I was thrilled to be recognized (along with the fabulous Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk) as first-ever Legislative Champion by Maryland Nonprofitsfor my leadership on behalf of this vital sector. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with nonprofits.
Empowering Local School Boards to Set Local Calendars

School boards should make the best decisions for their students, not the tourism industry. My Committee Chair, Sen. Paul Pinsky, sought to return the decision-making authority for county schools’ calendars to our duly-elected school boards. The Senate voted to override the Governor’s subsequent veto.
Cultivating Tech Jobs in Maryland

Confronting “Death with Dignity”

Curtailing Governor Hogan’s Options to Widen I-270/I-495

Many of you have expressed serious concerns about Governor Hogan’s various proposals to widen I-270 and I-495. We approved budget language seeking to slow down the process. I will continue to keep you updated on this issue that affects our communities and our quality of life.
Curbing the Cost of Prescription Drugs

Expanding the DREAM Act

Limiting Access to Guns

Increasing Voter Registration
After voters approved Same-Day Voter Registration by nearly 68% last fall, the General Assembly created the necessary procedures for its implementation for next year’s election.
Enhancing Transparency at the State Board of Elections

Reducing Campaign Finance Fraud

Authorizing an Alternative Voting Method in Montgomery County

Defending Our Federal Employees

Raising the Age to Purchase Tobacco

Avoiding Data Breaches Due to “Swiping”

Ending “Bait & Switch” at Gas Stations

Delivering for Gaithersburg & Rockville

Walking to Defeat Multiple Sclerosis
I have participated in the “Walk MS” nearly every year since the 1990’s, when a dear friend’s daughter was first diagnosed. Since then, researchers have developed better medicines, although a cure has not yet been found. Would you consider walking with me in Rockville or supporting my efforts to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis?
Working for You Year-Round!
Each semester, I am allocated scholarship funds to support outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in my legislative district. The deadline for the fall 2019 semester is Friday, April 19, at 4:00pm. More information and the application are available on my website .
If you are having difficulty with a State agency, my staff and I may be able to help. Please reach out. Once again, it has been my honor to represent you in the State Senate, and I will see you in the community, in our schools, and at local events.
Best,
Cheryl
Cheryl C. Kagan
State Senator, District 17
(Rockville & Gaithersburg)
P.S. Two of my favorite events are coming up: the Gaithersburg Book Festival (Saturday, May 18) and Rockville’s Hometown Holidays (Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27). See you there?