January 29, 2024

Last week, the Senate and House announced the introduction of four bills designed to enhance and strengthen consumer protections for Marylanders. These legislative initiatives seek to protect residents from unscrupulous price-gouging, as well as the potential for financial, physical, and psychological harm that is inherent in our fast-growing digital world.

The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act limits the consumer data companies are allowed to collect to only that which is necessary for “legitimate” business needs. It also requires data to be securely stored and requires consumer access to view and opt-out of data collection. The Maryland Kids Code prohibits large companies from harvesting and selling children’s online data, including location information. The bill compels companies to fix issues that harm young people in the midst of an unprecedented behavioral health crisis.

Additionally, ticket resellers will no longer be able to take advantage of Maryland concertgoers and sports fans under new legislation. Tickets purchased at face value online would no longer be able to be resold for exorbitant fees under the bill, and third-parties could not advertise or sell “speculative tickets” prior to an official sale date. 

The last bill in the package, Senate Bill 1, seeks to stop retail energy suppliers from using predatory practices to influence Marylanders to switch providers with so-called “teaser-rates” that promise significant cost savings only to raise rates significantly over time.

The Baltimore region is quickly becoming a hub for biotechnology and high-tech innovation, bringing with it job creation and economic growth. We will continue to welcome new technologies while also working to protect Marylanders from the abuses that, unfortunately, often come with new industries.

The General Assembly has been reviewing the Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget in light of the new “normal,” without generous federal stimulus, that Maryland must contend with. That requires us to  make tough decisions that prioritize the programs that  have the deepest impact on the daily lives of our citizens and promote growth statewide.  

The availability and affordability of housing is critical to Marylanders enjoying an increased quality of life while reducing inflationary pressures. In partnership with the legislature, Governor Moore’s FY25 budget includes a heavy focus on programs to scale up affordable housing. Some key areas of impact include key issues like housing costs, shortages in units, barriers to new construction, and protections for Maryland’s most vulnerable renters.

A few budget highlights include:

• $172.7M to improve statewide broadband access;

• $138.5M for rental housing programs;

• $50M for Project CORE to assist with the City’s vacant housing crisis;

• $38.4M for housing and building energy assistance programs;

• $28.3M for the Neighborhood Business Works program; and

• $21M for homeownership incentive programs.

I am thrilled to hear that State and local education leaders are reporting success in the early stages of the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future to improve our public schools. In a hearing earlier this month, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) shared important strides made in teacher certification, college and career readiness standards, and student support services.

Nearly 100 community schools began offering wraparound services to students and their families based on the unique needs of each community. Moreover, almost 700 more teachers gained National Board Certification this year, bringing the total to over 3,100 in the State, and increasing both the quality of instruction for our students and compensation for well-deserving educators. 

The AIB also approved all local districts’ initial implementation plans this summer and completed a study on career and college readiness standards. I look forward to more success stories as this world-class program continues to blossom and grow.

Maryland is blessed to have four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in our State. Many of their graduates serve our State in the legislature and are leaders in every major economic sector. 

In 2021, the State agreed to a $577 million settlement after it was shown that predominantly white institutions were provided more State resources and allowed to duplicate degree programs that put HBCUs at a disadvantage when competing for students and resources

The Maryland Program Approval Process Workgroup was created as part of the settlement to ensure the Education Commission’s academic program-review process is “well-defined, impartial, transparent, and efficient.”  This week, the Workgroup released a set of 23 recommendations, including guidelines for how institutions can object to programs they believe were duplicated and a suggestion that the Commission publicize its discussions, deliberations, and votes on program approval decisions. I expect those recommendations to be codified in the 2024 Legislative Session.

Governor Moore recently announced an executive order to separate the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim’s Services into two distinct entities:  the Governor’s Office for Children, and the Governor’s Office for Crime Prevention and Policy. This is a policy change I’ve long advocated to ensure our young people, especially those most at-risk of engaging with our juvenile justice system, receive holistic and comprehensive support across all governmental agencies.

Carmel Martin is an excellent choice to oversee the newly created Governor’s Office for Children. She has a deep background in federal education policy and was an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Education. Dorothy Lennig will continue as Executive Director of the Office for Crime Prevention and Policy where she will collaborate with State leaders to bolster accountability, rehabilitation, and prevention.

I am excited about this new approach to engaging with young people and the critical work ahead to make residents feel safe in their communities.

I am deeply appreciative of and impressed by the work of Pastor Ebony Harvin from South Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood. Pastor Harvin is a long-time friend and was recently appointed by the Governor to serve in a new role as a Thrive Academy life coach, one of more than 14 coaches selected for a new program designed to address the needs of at-risk children in the juvenile justice system. The State is partnering with established community organizations and leaders who are working with young people or mentoring others.

After a Republican member of the State Board Board of Elections was arrested last week for involvement in the January 6^th attack on the U.S. Capitol, questions about involvement in the insurrection and a nominee’s personal beliefs about election integrity will be a litmus test for nominees going forward. As we move to fill his and other vacancies, we must ensure that the people in those positions are trustworthy, and believe in defending our democracy.

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted last week to approve President Biden’s nomination of Nicole G. Berner, a labor lawyer from Takoma Park, to the federal appeals court overseeing Maryland cases. If confirmed by the full Senate, she would become the first openly LGBTQ+ judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

After a tumultuous few years, park rangers are back in Baltimore parks. Ranger’s patrol 263 city-owned parks, enforce park rules and City regulations, educate the public, and report maintenance issues. They will eventually be assigned vehicles with automated external defibrillators, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits. 

One of the best bi-annual events is here as Baltimore Restaurant Week began on Friday and runs through February 4. You can find participating restaurants and their Restaurant Week menus here.

If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email, bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us, or by phone, 410-841-3600.