February 12, 2024

Governor Moore presented his second State of the State address to all 188 members of the Maryland General Assembly last week. In his remarks, the Governor pledged to work in partnership with the legislature to pass critical legislation aimed at making Maryland safer, more affordable, and more competitive. I am excited to continue working with this Administration to bring these important priorities to fruition.

Just over a year into Governor Moore’s first term, there remains a marked change in Annapolis when comparing the current relationship between the legislature and executive to the relationship during the prior eight years. I am proud of the partnership, open dialogue, and constructive feedback that is moving Maryland forward with our current cohesive State government.

That cooperation comes at a critical time as Maryland’s budget does not include millions of dollars in federal pandemic funds for the first time in a few years. As I’ve consistently said, we must prioritize the funding of programs that respond to the most pressing challenges facing our communities. As such, I look forward to working with the Moore Administration to ensure the programs we invest in meet “specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-bound goals“ so taxpayer money is spent in the most effective and productive way.

I am proud to co-sponsor legislation introduced by Senator Elfreth that seeks to fund Maryland’s trauma system through an 11% excise tax on gross receipts of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition purchased in the State. It is a logical and appropriate way to address the increase in gunshot victims who are flooding Maryland’s trauma centers over the last few years, with those in Baltimore City taking the brunt of the impact. Many survivors leave the Center with close to $30,000 in health care costs in the first year of recovery.

The Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act would generate funds for several key programs, including the State’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Program. That program directs money toward violence prevention efforts, specifically gun violence, based on data-driven strategies including public health programs and violence interruption initiatives.

Legislation introduced this month would give the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) broader power to set upper limits for drug prices in Maryland. The PDAB was created in 2019 and has the ability to set limits on drugs for State and local government health plans. The Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Act of 2024 would broaden the Board’s power to set those limits for all health plans in Maryland. We currently are waiting to receive data on the PDAB's efforts to lower prescription drug prices for State employee plans.

Americans spend an average of $1,300 a year on their prescription medications. That’s compared to about $550 in other comparable countries. Maryland’s PDAB is currently conducting cost reviews of several drugs that may be overpriced, such as generic drugs that increased in price by 200% over the last year, generic drugs that cost more than $100 a month, or brand-name drugs that begin at $30,000 or more a year.

During the review the PDAB will look at ten factors, like available discounts, alternatives to the drug prescribed, and the cost to health plans. The legislation would also appropriate $1 million to the PDAB in 2025 to continue its work.

Marylanders whose food and cash assistance was stolen in the past several years will be fully reimbursed thanks to a recent decision by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS). Theft of poverty cutting benefits rose across the country in recent years, skyrocketing in our State from $90,000 in 2021 to over $18.3 million in 2023.

Recipients who had their benefits stolen after January 1, 2021, including previously denied claims, are now eligible for reimbursement under the new guidelines. DHS also announced that stolen Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program benefits will also be reimbursed.

Those with previously denied claims or partial reimbursements do not need to file for reimbursement. DHS is actively reviewing these claims and will refund them directly by April 30, 2024. To ensure a smooth refund process, customers should make sure their MD Think account is updated with current contact information.

Baltimore will resume weekly recycling on March 4 thanks to the addition of nine new recycling trucks and the hiring of additional drivers and pickup crews. Twenty new routes have been added across the City to reduce the total number of stops that each crew makes. Residents will continue to recycle on their previously assigned day of the week.

Amtrak has announced more information on its plan to build the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel in West Baltimore as part of a 10-year effort to upgrade passenger rail service in the region. When constructed, the new tunnel will replace the 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel and will run under Reservoir Hill and Penn North before emerging near a new West Baltimore MARC station. The project will be primarily funded by federal infrastructure dollars and will address a major bottleneck in rail service along the Northeast Corridor.

Rachel D. Graham has been named CEO of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts (BOPA). BOPA is a nonprofit cultural organization that inspires and engages audiences and cultivates the city’s creative economy through the arts, events, and film industry. Ms. Graham is currently the director of external relations for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. She will succeed Donna Drew Sawyer, who resigned from the position last January.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion. The American Red Cross recently announced a critical shortage of blood—the lowest in about 20 years. The organization recently launched an app that allows potential donors to easily schedule and track their appointments and donations. If you have spare time and are able to roll up your sleeves to save a life, check out the app 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.