2019 Legislative Wrapup - Senator Feldman
Fighting Climate Change
While Also Boosting Our Economy (Clean Energy Jobs Act)
I sponsored and gained passage of The Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act, one of the most important bills passed during this Session. This bill mandates that Maryland utilities get 50% of their power from renewable energy sources by 2030. It will target solar and offshore wind sources and it is projected to create an estimated 20,000 new solar jobs and 5,500 new wind jobs in Maryland. In addition to helping catalyze Maryland’s clean energy industry, this bill will help to safeguard the diverse ecosystems of Maryland, protect the health of our children, and demonstrate our State’s leadership on a global environmental issue.
Healthcare/Health Insurance
I sponsored and gained passage of several important health care bills this Session. One was the Maryland’s Easy Enrollment Health Program. It establishes a first-in-the-nation program that provides uninsured Marylanders with easy access to health insurance coverage by simply checking a box on their State income tax return. Approximately 50,000 uninsured Marylanders currently qualify for Medicaid but are not enrolled. Those who qualify for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled if they choose to opt-in. The Maryland Health Exchange will also be able to contact another 170,000 uninsured Marylanders who qualify for Federal premium tax credits and advise them how they can purchase private coverage for no additional cost beyond the Federal tax credits or for a modest additional amount after applying those credits.
Federal Government Shutdown Assistance
In response to the extended shutdown of the Federal government earlier this year which impacted our region more than any other in the country, I sponsored and gained passed of the Federal Shutdown Paycheck Protection Act which provides that “essential” civilian Federal employees, forced to work without pay while furloughed but currently ineligible for uninsurance benefits, will be eligible for either unemployment benefits or interest-free loans (which must be paid back to Maryland if they receive retroactive pay from the Feds). This emergency bill was the first to be signed into law by Governor Hogan this Session.
Precinct Official Spotlight
In May we highlight our exceptional precinct official Pat Levee, Precinct Chair at Robert Frost Middle School in District 15. Together with her Precinct Vice Chair, Linda Burgin, Pat created and mailed a postcard to every voter in her precinct in the 2018 General Election. The postcard introduced her to voters and emphasized the importance of voting the Democratic ticket. This personal touch motivated voters and added new friends and allies.
Pat has held countless meetings and phone banks at her house and is unfailingly generous with her time and hospitality. We salute Pat for her creativity, energy, hard work, and commitment!
While Pat has been doing an excellent job, all of the following precinct official positions in District 15 are VACANT!
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- Clarksburg Elementary School, Vice Chair
- Cold Spring Elementary School, Vice Chair
- Herbert Hoover Middle School, Vice Chair
- John Poole Middle School, Chair and Vice Chair
- John T Baker Middle School, Chair and Vice Chair
- Jones Lane Elementary School, Vice Chair
- Kingsview Middle School, Vice Chair
- Lake Seneca Elementary School, Chair and Vice Chair
- Little Bennett Elementary School, Vice Chair
- Monocacy Elementary School, Chair and Vice Chair
- Northwest high School, Chair and Vice Chair
- Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center, Vice Chair
- Potomac Community Recreation Center, Vice Chair
- Shady Grove Conference Center, Vice Chair
- SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Chair and Vice Chair
- Temple Beth Ami, Chair and Vice Chair
- Waters Landing Elementary School, Vice Chair
- Winston Churchill High School, Vice Chair
