The 2016 General Assembly: Successes, Disappointments, and Priorities for Next Session

Statement

The Maryland General Assembly officially wrapped up the 2016 session on April 11th. It was a productive session, but certainly left many priorities on the table for next year.

Successes

We had several big successes this year, including passing a budget with a $400 million surplus that did not raise taxes! In addition, the budget included a scholarship fund for low income children attending failing schools to attend private or religious K-12 schools. This landmark program will provide unprecedented opportunities for the children of Maryland and has the potential to truly make an impact on their futures. It is programs like this that the people of Maryland send us to Annapolis to create -- and I am proud that it was included in the final budget.

We also had many bipartisan success stories in the House, including SB 924. The legislation was aimed at protecting women from their abusers but had a large hole in the initial language that could have left women vulnerable. I worked closely with Delegate Angela Angel (D-Prince George's County) to update the language to add harassment and destruction of property to the definition of abuse in order to ensure that women would be able to get the protective order they need to stay safe from their abuser. Unfortunately, this failed at the last minute in the Senate. However, Delegate Angel and I will continue to fight to protect women from their abusers and we are confident this legislation will pass next year.

Disappointments

Going against the will of a majority of Marylanders and a veto by Governor Hogan, General Assembly Democrats voted to allow felons who have not completed their full sentence to vote. This also creates many loopholes, including one identified by The Baltimore Sun that caught Communities United (formerly known as ACORN) using Skittles and Newport cigarettes to entice felons to register. They even registered a man with an ankle monitor on. I joined Governor Hogan in strongly opposing this bill. Felons who are still on probation or who have been released on parole are still serving their sentence for their crime and should not be allowed to vote until their entire sentence has been satisfied.

Priorities for Next Session

I was very disappointed that my bipartisan bill, introduced with Delegate David Moon (D-Montgomery County) to bring transparency to the General Assembly was not allowed an up or down vote on the floor. Currently, the public can view committee hearings, but the floor sessions are only available in audio records. With 141 delegates and 47 senators, it's very difficult to know who is talking. Video is essential and Maryland is one of the last states to provide this. Governor Larry Hogan agrees, which is why he publicly endorsed my bill and encouraged the legislature to pass it. Even The Baltimore Sun agrees, urging the legislature to pass this legislation.

"We can't fathom how it is that legislation sponsored by Del Kathy Szeliga (R) … and Del. David Moon (D) … hasn't even gotten a committee vote."

Unfortunately, my bill was sent to the Rules Committee where it never received a vote. Rest assure transparency will continue to be one of my top priorities and I will continue to fight to allow the people of Maryland access to what their lawmakers are doing for them -- or not doing for them -- in the General Assembly.

In addition, we once again kicked the can down the road when it comes to mandatory spending relief. Mandatory spending makes up 83 percent of Maryland's budget, limiting the impact the legislature can truly make when it comes to spending -- especially in years where revenues fall short. Under the previous Administration when revenues fell drastically because of the recession, the then governor and General Assembly opted for tax increases to cover the shortfall.

That's why I was a cosponsor of one of Governor Hogan's proposals, HB 449 -- to avoid future tax increases like we saw under the previous Administration. This legislation would have provided common-sense mandatory spending reform, reduced mandatory spending increases in years when revenues don't keep pace, and ensured that future budgets continue to prioritize key expenditures like education and health care. Unfortunately, this bill never received a vote in Appropriations. I will continue to work with Governor Hogan to fight for mandatory spending reform.

It has been an honor to represent you in the 2016 General Assembly and I look forward to continuing to fight for you throughout the rest of the year.

Source