2011 LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT

Dear neighbor:

Thank you for the honor that you have given me to serve as your State Senator, and for your interest in the work of the Maryland General Assembly.  I appreciate the opportunity to update you on the 2011 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, and I welcome your thoughts and comments going forward.

BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE: Having served for four years in the Maryland House, my election to the Maryland Senate in 2010 brought new opportunities and challenges. Firstly, I am very pleased to have been selected to serve on the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. The powerful committee has broad jurisdiction over the $30+ billion State operating and capital budgets, revenues, expenditures, supplementary appropriations, legislative budgetary procedures, State and county bond authorizations, taxation and property assessments, education financing, and pension and retirement matters. My appointment to the committee is significant for Montgomery County, and for the 19th District, in that my appointment retains Montgomery’s third seat on the committee when the committee was also reduced in size. In addition, it is notable that I am the only freshman Senator on the committee, the only attorney, and the first Senator from the 19th District to ever serve on the committee.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE: I also serve as one of four Senators on the Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee (HHS), which manages some $9 billion in funds, encompassing an enormous portfolio, including: public health (including emergency response), Medicaid (including the Maryland Children’s Health Program, Primary Adult Care program, as well as traditional Medicaid), long-term care, behavioral health (including issues concerning the developmentally disabled, individuals with serious mental illness, and individuals with substance abuse problems), private health insurance, health regulation, health occupational licensing and regulation,  public benefit programs (such as temporary cash assistance, child welfare, and child support), and aging and juvenile justice issues. Finally, I am pleased to have been appointed to serve on the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, the State Advisory Council on Hereditary and Congenital Disorders (on which I also served as a member of the House), and I continue to represent Maryland on a White House health reform working group.

A BALANCED BUDGET BLUEPRINT FOR CONTINUED PROGRESS: Perhaps the most difficult budget climate since the Great Depression, Maryland is emerging from a $2 billion structural shortfall that is due in large part to revenue declines, underperforming investments, joblessness, and ballooning out-year pension and retiree health care liabilities. To address these, I worked with stakeholders and lawmakers to craft the most equitable budget solution that was politically possible, in order to meet our constitutional mandate to balance the state budget, protect vulnerable populations, maintain our critical investments, and preserve the State’s payments of local pension costs and our Combined Benefits System. For my part, I have rejected all legislator pay increases for my entire tenure in public office. In addition, I have given back (post-tax), the proportion of my salary that is commensurate with other employees who have been furloughed by the Governor over the last several years. Finally, I have returned to the State annual savings from my legislative office budget for every year that I have served in public office.

WINS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY: As one of only three Senators representing Montgomery on the Budget and Taxation Committee, I was pleased to partner with my colleagues to secure more than $807 million in state operating aid for our county – an overall increase of close to $40 million (+5.2 percent) over last year. This includes: $564.75 million for K-12 education (7.6 percent increase); $41.3 million for community colleges (1.2 percent increase); $2.72 million for libraries (2.2 percent increase); $3.01 million for health care (no cuts); $11.15 million for public safety (no cuts); and $3.74 million for transportation (118 percent increase). In addition, we delivered some $56.15 million in capital projects funding to the county, including several community projects in the 19th District (see below). These include some: $30.52 million in school construction; $1.31 million for libraries; $6.20 for community colleges; $14.87 million for environment and natural resources; $869 thousand for parks; and $2.36 million for local projects.

WINS FOR THE 19th DISTRICT: Budget Amendments - I authored several successful amendments to the State Budget, including mandated studies to: (1) identify funding solutions for co-occurring health care disorders, which was a partnership between my office and former Delegate Henry “Hank” Heller, and; (2) to establish a sustainable pension plan for thoroughbred racing employees. Penalties for Violations of Phosphorous Ban (SB 751) - Phosphorous is a dangerous and illegal chemical that is a major cause of Chesapeake Bay blight. After introducing legislation in both the House and the Senate, I worked with colleagues in passing SB 751 to substantially increase penalties for ongoing violations of the 2007 phosphorous detergent ban. Penalties for Retaliatory Evictions (SB 620) - Current law provides few protections from retaliation to tenants who report housing violations.  That’s why I authored and worked with colleagues in passing SB 620, to strengthen protections for tenants, while also mitigating undue litigation, harassment and fraudulent complaints. Capital Projects Funding - I partnered with Dels. Kramer, Arora and Cullison to secure funding for the following 19th District capital projects: B’nai B’rith Homecrest House ($119,000); Orthodox Congregation of Silver Spring ($48,000), Cardinal McCarrick Center ($150,000). In addition, we partnered with 14th District legislators to secure $150,000 for the Olney Theater.

OTHER WINS: I was honored to work with dozens of other legislators to co-sponsor and pass numerous important initiatives this session. Of particular note, I co-sponsored and worked for the passage of the Dream Act, SB 167 (the "In-State Tuition Bill"). This important social and economic justice legislation extends in-state tuition rates for community colleges to some veterans, and to Maryland residents who have graduated from Maryland high schools, but who's federal immigration status is undocumented. In addition, I was pleased to co-sponsor and work for the passage of the following: SB 115, addressing animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty; SB 132, restricting the use of credit reports in job applications; SB 151, prohibiting infant formula manufactured with Bisphenol-A;SB 174, strengthening “firearm” prohibitions; SB 178, addressing child neglect; SB 182, establishing the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange; SB 203, requiring and revising  "Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment" forms; SB 248, addressing direct wine shipping; SB 327, the Human Trafficking Victim Protection Act; SB 380, addressing Net Energy Metering; SB 551, strengthening Wage and Hour protections; SB 655, SB 692, Maryland Electricity Service Quality and Reliability Act (“The PEPCO bill”); SB 717, adding Solar Water Heating systems to the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard; SB 717, addressing concussions in public school and youth sports; SB 787, improving juvenile services for females; SB 803, the Drunk Driving Reduction Act; SB 806, establishing online voter registration; and SB 994, raising Maryland’s antiquated alcohol tax to fund disabilities and other programs by raising some $85 million annually. 

OUR SENATE OFFICE: Our Senate office in Annapolis offers a range of services to assist you and our community, including assistance with state agencies, bond bills, information and briefings on pending legislation, and State Capitol tours. I am also pleased to announce that applications for my Senatorial Scholarship will be available shortly, and that I will be continuing to administer my unique Special Needs Scholarship, which made more than $120,000 in awards to residents of the 19th District between 2007 and 2011. Please contact our staff directly if we may be of any assistance, to voice your concerns or views, or if we can provide you with any additional information. In addition, please visit www.RogerManno.com for more information and regular updates.

As always, thank you for your interest in our work in Annapolis, and for the honor that you have given me to serve our community in the Maryland Senate.

Very sincerely at your service,