OCTOBER 1, 2024

It’s hard to believe that Fall has arrived! Summer always seems to go by too fast.

I enjoyed several community activities this summer, and with the legislative session three months away, I’m focusing on bills I’ll be introducing in January. 

And of course, there’s an election in November! Information on requesting mail-in ballots and other election items is below.

Wishing a Shana Tova (a good year), to all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, this week.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • PowerHour 2024
  • Summer Intern Spotlight
  • Dana in the Community
  • Maryland Voter Information
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources & News

POWERHOUR 2024

I was proud to co-sponsor PowerHour 2024 alongside Senator Ben Brooks, an event that brought together more than 100 residents from Districts 10 and 11. Their enthusiasm created connections between community members and over 15 nonprofit organizations and state agencies dedicated to supporting residents in reducing utility bills.

Among the participating organizations providing energy assistance information were the Public Service Commission, BGE, Office of Home Energy Programs, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, and the Maryland Department of Environment.

This year’s event, the second of its kind since Senator Brooks founded it in 2023, took place on August 21 at the Randallstown Community Center. Attendees gained valuable energy efficient information and participated in family-friendly activities.

It was an honor to collaborate with Senator Brooks, and we look forward to building on this success for PowerHour 2025!

Dana with Senator Brooks, Delegate Pasteur, Delegate White Holland, Councilman Jones, District 11B staff, agency officials, and community members

SUMMER INTERN SPOTLIGHT

It was great to have three college and high school students as summer interns. This was my first summer internship program ever! The students contributed a lot and learned about the legislative process, state agencies, and constituent issues.

O'Neal Johnson III
O'Neal, a Junior at Middle Tennessee State University, was a wonderful summer intern.  His interest and knowledge of tech-based systems was instrumental in helping our office move forward with our newsletters, databases, and other online platforms.    

 

This internship provided O'Neal an opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and how his unique IT-based interests can help support law making in the 21st century. 

 

We wish O'Neal much success in his Junior year in at Middle Tennessee State University. 

Zachary Koppel

Zachary, a senior at Pikesville High School, also served as one of our office's summer interns. He crafted a policy memo on environmental legislation in California, developed a guide to help constituents navigate Maryland Department of Health resources, and helped update some of my key legislative accomplishments on my website.

 

During the internship, Zachary gained valuable insights into the legislative process. He plans to major in political science and pursue a career as a government representative.  We wish Zachary much success as he embarks on his senior year!  

Morielle Shechter
 

Morielle, a senior attending Carver Center passionate about political science, international relations, and environmental policy, was our third intern this summer. During her internship she volunteered at the second annual PowerHour event (helping facilitate an engaging scavenger hunt for kids), drafted a policy memo on how to make Baltimore County more heat resilient, and helped update legislation on my website.

 

Morielle believes that she developed a deeper understanding of climate change, environmental policy, and the policymaking process from her internship. 

 

It was a pleasure having Morielle as a member of our office and we wish her a wonderful senior year!  

DANA IN THE COMMUNITY

Velvet Valley Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting

Congratulations to President Paul Brickman and the Velvet Valley Neighborhood Association for a very successful annual meeting/gathering of the Velvet Valley Community on the grounds of the Jemicy School.  The event featured food trucks with delicious options, lively conversation, and several kid-friendly activities.  The gathering had a great turnout and the backdrop was fabulous, early-Fall weather!  Thank you for having me as your guest!  

Dana with Councilman Patoka and Velvet Valley Neighborhood Association President Paul Brickman

 

MARYLAND VOTER INFORMATION

 

EARLY VOTING

Early voting for the 2024 Presidential General Election starts on October 24, 2024, and ends on Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 7 am to 8 pm each day. To find out more information about where, when, and how you can vote early, please visit https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/early_voting.html.

 

MAIL IN VOTING

For Maryland residents interested in voting by mail (previously known as absentee ballots), please review the following key information and important dates to keep in mind.

Tuesday, Oct. 15: Deadline to register to vote for those VOTING BY MAIL

Marylanders who plan to vote by mail must register in advance either online or by mail.

  • Online registration: visit Maryland State Board of Elections website to REGISTER TO VOTE
  • Mail-in registration: print and complete a voter registration application and mail it to a local board of elections. Visit here for more information
  • Individuals unsure of their registration status can verify their details online.

Tuesday, Oct. 29: Deadline to request a mail-in ballot to be delivered by mail

  • Online request: A mail-in ballot form can be found here.
  • In-Person request: Voters may visit a local board of elections office by the deadline to request a mail-in ballot.

Friday, Nov. 1: Deadline to request a mail-in ballot to be delivered online

  • Fill out this form online to request that a mail-in ballot be delivered to you via email. The ballot still must be mailed to a local board of elections office or taken to a drop box.

Tuesday, Nov. 5: Election Day and deadline to complete and return mail-in ballots

  • Completed ballots can be returned in the following ways:
    • Mail to local board of elections office (find office near you here)
    • Hand it in at a board of elections office
    • Drop in an official ballot drop box (find office near you here)
    • On Election Day and during early voting hours, ballots also can be turned in at a polling place
  • Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by the close of polls at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Please remember to sign the oath before submitting your ballot.

If you have questions about voting, please contact the Maryland State Board of Elections at 410-269-2840 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Pikesville Precinct is excited to announce the date for this year's Trunk or Treat event! Please join community members on October 17, 2024, 5:00-7:00 p.m. for an evening of Halloween fun!

Yorkridge Shopping Center Fall Festival

Saturday, October 5th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m..

FREE event with face painting, balloon animals, children’s activities, free samples, and lots more family fun! Visit this link for more event details.  

RESOURCES & NEWS

 

Order Free At-Home COVID 19 Tests

FREE COVID-19 tests will once again be available to every U.S. household, beginning September 30, 2024. Each household is eligible to receive four rapid, at-home tests. The process is clear and simple: by entering your name and home (or residential P.O. Box) address, the U.S. Postal Service will ship the tests to your home at no cost.

 

Detailed information can be found here: ASPR COVID-19 Testing (covidtests.gov)

 

MARYLAND $AVES

Did you know that in the State of Maryland, there are nearly one million private-sector employees without access to a employer-sponsored retirement savings program? Maryland is changing that.

MarylandSaves is a retirement savings program created by the State for private-sector commercial and nonprofit employers. It’s free and simple for business owners and automatic for employees. Business owners simply register their company online and provide their employees’ payroll information — MarylandSaves will take care of the rest.

And companies will receive a $300 annual report filing fee waiver from SDAT every year they participate in MarylandSaves.

How does the MarylandSaves Retirement Savings Program work?

  • MarylandSaves is funded from employee savings (there are no employer fees and employer contributions are not allowed).
  • Employers have no fiduciary responsibility.
  • Employee savings are deposited into their personal WorkLife Savings Accounts, which are Roth IRAs, administered by private sector financial services firms and overseen by a public board that includes the Maryland State Treasurer and Maryland’s Secretary of the Department of Labor.

Simple for employers to start, and easy for employees to save.

  • Employee enrollment is automatic, but they can opt out at any time.
  • Employees save with each paycheck through automated payroll contributions.
  • Employees can make changes to their accounts at any time.
  • Employees own their WorkLife Savings Accounts, and they keep them even if they change jobs.
  • By default, an employee's MarylandSaves WorkLife Savings Account includes a $1,000 emergency savings feature to help with unforeseen expenses. This is why the account is called "WorkLife" -- people need options when the unexpected happens.

To register or learn more, visit marylandsaves.com 

 

SECURE MEDICINE DISPOSAL

Please visit this online locator to find free resources in Maryland for secure medicine disposal.  

Locations include pharmacies, law enforcement offices, and other places where Marylanders can find free, easy, and safe ways to dispose of unwanted or expired medicines.

 

CASH CAMPAIGN OF MARYLAND

The CASH Campaign of Maryland is dedicated to promoting the economic advancement for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in Baltimore and across the state.

CASH and their partners offer services throughout the state including: 

  • Back Taxes: Trained staff and volunteers who can help prepare taxes for 2018-2023 for free. Please fill out this interest form and a member of CASH’s staff will contact you.  
  • Free Tax Preparation Services: During tax season, CASH staff prepare free tax returns for those who earn under $65,000 per year.
  • Free Financial Education & Coaching: CASH serves over 7,000 Marylanders through its financial education and coaching services which are offered both in-person and online.   
  • Benefits Screening: CASH case managers can help determine eligibility for over 20 public benefit programs and help to navigate the application process. 
  • Access to Safe Banking: CASH launched Bank On Maryland to expand access to safe financial products and ensure that more financial institutions in Maryland offer accounts that meet the Bank On National Account Standards.

I am proud to represent District 11B in the House of Delegates, to be Speaker Pro Tem, and to be part of the District 11 Legislative Team.

 

If I can ever be of assistance, please contact me at dana.stein@house.state.md.us or call my Annapolis Office at 410-841-3527

Sincerely,

Dana Stein

Speaker Pro Tem

Delegate, District 11B, Maryland General Assembly