Dear Friends,

These days are incredibly busy as we head into the holidays and prepare for the legislative session beginning on January 14th. We are knee-deep in drafting our bills, attending site visits, meeting with constituents, and engaging with agencies and community leaders.

We will be gathering in Annapolis next Tuesday, December 16th, for a special session. As you may have heard, Baltimore County’s Speaker Adrienne Jones has stepped down from her position and plans to return as a member of the District 10 delegation. Speaker Emerita Jones made history during her six years of service as the first Black and first female Speaker and leaves behind an accomplished legislative record focused on education, equity, and fairness. The House caucus is expected to select Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, an excellent legislator from Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties, as the next Speaker. Because the special session includes swearing in the new Speaker, the legislature must also take up potential veto overrides—requiring the Senate to convene as well.

There have been changes in the Senate, too, and I’m pleased to share that I have been named Chair of the Subcommittee on Public Safety, Transportation, and the Environment within the Budget and Taxation Committee. I look forward to working with my colleagues to oversee the budgets of the agencies responsible for these critical areas. I also hope to continue serving as Chair of the Baltimore County Senate Delegation, Co-Chair of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, and Co-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus.

We’ll likely send a brief update after the special session and next week’s Spending Affordability meeting, which will report our latest revenue projections and help guide the upcoming budget process. In the meantime, please take a look at the updates below.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can assist you in any way. And to those who celebrate—best wishes for a light-filled Hanukkah next week!

Sincerely,

Shelly L. Hettleman
Senator, District 11

In the Community
In the News
Legislative Update
Vaccine Update
Energy/Environment Updates
Transportation Updates
Comptroller Updates
Community Events & Updates
Contact Information

Top Left: I had a great time attending the groundbreaking ceremony for Dulaney High School. Thank you to all of the amazing people who helped make this happen, including US Congressman Johnny Olszewski, many parents and community members, and council members and state legislators.

Top Right: Many thanks to the 100+ people who attended our District 11 Town Hall! We had great discussions about pressing issues in the district, and I feel so blessed to represent such an amazing community alongside my fellow District 11 Colleagues: Delegates Cardin, Pasteur, and Stein.

Bottom Left: In recognition of Veterans Day, I had the opportunity to join Vehicles for Change (a program that trains formerly incarcerated individuals to be auto technicians) and MileOne in giving 10 veterans cars.

Bottom Right: I was thrilled to be recognized as an inaugural honoree of the GBMC Circle of Advocates with a number of other community members for our work on sexual assault issues!

Linked below are some recent news articles where I've weighed in on some important issues:

Ferguson secures seventh term as Senate president, shakes up leadership

Lawmakers say consistency, efficiency needed in boards licensing health professionals

This past session, together with Delegate Vaughn Stewart, I sponsored Senate Bill 370, which established the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program. Recently, Governor Wes Moore announced that applications are open for the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program in eight local jurisdictions. Families and students who are enrolled in Community Schools in these jurisdictions while experiencing homelessness or at risk for housing instability can apply for emergency financial support through the program.

For more information about the program and how to apply, visit the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program webpage.

Maryland Department of Health reiterates importance of full hepatitis B vaccination schedule for all newborns

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) issued an advisory to health care professionals and birthing hospitals reiterating the importance of administering the full vaccination series for hepatitis B for all infants, beginning at birth, in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations. The Department also issued a standing order, essentially a prescription, to ensure hepatitis B vaccine access for infants and children ages 0-18 across Maryland, as well as guidance to parents and caregivers on the recommended childhood vaccine schedule.

F0r more information, please visit here.

Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition- Help with Energy Bills

As we head into the winter months, and temperatures around the region continue to plunge, we want to share a few simple ways to save energy and reduce utility costs this winter. The Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition has many useful tips to help consumers navigate these issues.

Lowering your thermostat by just a couple of degrees, sealing drafts around windows and doors, and using LED lighting can make a noticeable difference on your monthly bills. Some households may also qualify for energy assistance programs that help with heating costs, weatherization services, or appliance upgrades. Check out BGE's energy-saving rebates, and low cost home energy checkups. Available energy assistance may be explored by visiting the OHEP website.

Staying warm shouldn’t break the bank—click on these resources and programs that can help you save 10% on your energy bill in 15 min. or less. Keep your home comfortable and your costs manageable all season long.

BGE winter preparedness and updates can be found here.

Maryland Making It Easier to Plug in Your Ride, No Matter Where You Reside

The Maryland Energy Administration today announced the opening of the application window for funding through the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grant Program. These grants support the installation of charging stations at multi-family dwellings, commercial centers and other public points of interest to make the benefits of EV ownership accessible to more Marylanders.

Funds are provided to help applicants offset EV supply equipment installation costs for Level 2 and Level 3 chargers.

Most applicants are eligible for maximum grants of $750,000. School districts and local governments are eligible for up to $1 million.

The deadline for applications is February 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET.

Traffic Holds Near Key Bridge

As part of the ongoing Key Bridge Rebuild construction, demolition work will continue starting Saturday, November 15, from 6 AM to 7 PM along I-695 near Broening Highway, under the existing Francis Scott Key Bridge. Motorists may experience brief, intermittent traffic holds (about 15 minutes at a time). These temporary holds are necessary to safely complete demolition activities.

Truck Traffic: Please follow designated Baltimore City truck routes.

Weather: Traffic closures are weather-dependent. For the latest updates, please visit the project website.

View the newsletter here.