Dear Friends,

On Monday, we’ll officially be less than a month away from the end of the 2025 legislative session! The days are flying by, and progress is accelerating.

Two of my bills have passed third reader and will be on their way to the House:

• SB373: State Personnel - BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department - Collective Bargaining and Arbitration Processes: This bill changes the collective bargaining process for uniformed fire employees at the BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department. It requires the State and employees to reach an agreement by September 30 of the year the current agreement expires. If they can't agree, a binding arbitration process will be used to resolve the issue.
• SB474 Health Insurance - Adverse Decisions - Reporting and Examinations: This bill requires insurance companies to report to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner if the number of denied claims (adverse decisions) for a specific service increase by more than 10% in one year or 25% over the past three years. The Commissioner can then use this information to investigate and review the insurer's practices.

You can track the progress and current status of the legislation I’ve introduced on my General Assembly page, under the "Legislation" section.

As we move forward, I encourage you to stay informed by regularly visiting the MGA website for updates and to view the latest legislation.

It was a privilege to recognize six exceptional social studies educators on the Senate Floor this past Monday as recipients of the Maryland Council for Social Studies (MDCSS) 2025 Teachers of the Year awards.

MDCSS is dedicated to supporting social studies teachers throughout Maryland by providing professional development and instructional resources, while also honoring excellence in social studies education at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

My office has been contacted by several constituents with concern regarding their rising energy bills. These concerns require immediate legislative action during the 2025 Legislative Session. There is an affordability crisis that is likely to get worse in the coming months and years without the State taking steps to ensure the affordability for our residents, reliability of our energy grid, and predictability within our regulatory environment. Outside of the legislature’s constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget, nothing is more important than addressing these issues. That is why a leadership package of bills were introduced this Session to help bring down rising energy costs as quickly as possible.

Maryland is part of a 13 state plus D.C. regional grid that is managed by PJM Interconnection (PJM). The increase to the cost of energy itself is largely being driven by the capacity auction PJM operated in the summer of 2024. Due to an increase in demand for electricity largely driven by data centers and the onshoring of manufacturing, combined with a decrease in supply as coal and oil plants shut down because of market forces, there was an 800% increase in the price of electricity from the previous auction.

That increase is even more acute in the BGE service territory because of a private agreement between the Sierra Club and Talen Energy to shut down two coal power plants in Anne Arundel County, which the State nor PJM were involved in or consulted on in advance. That agreement took a huge amount of power out of the capacity auction which helped cause that auction price spike. Further, the premature closure of those plants would lead to grid instability, thereby requiring a federally-mandated Reliability Must Run (RMR) order to keep the plants online through mid-2029. As a result of that RMR, BGE customers will pay an average of an additional $4.33-4.47 per month for their electricity.

The most important thing we can do to drive costs back down is to increase the amount of in-state generated electricity as soon as possible, and we must make sure that new energy is cleaner than the energy we are using today. This is precisely what the General Assembly’s leadership energy package aims to do. 

The Next Generation Energy Act (SB937) requires the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to solicit bids for new, reliable energy generation and then expedite the permitting and siting for those projects to get them built in record time. Further, the Renewable Energy Certainty Act (SB931) removes unnecessary roadblocks to the construction of solar generation and battery storage projects in the State so that we can deploy these generation assets as quickly as possible. We must take an all of the above approach to new energy generation to bring down bills as we bridge to a zero-emission future.

According to a recent report by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), our State’s geography limits the amount of solar or land-based wind that can be constructed while offshore wind’s future is uncertain under the Trump Administration. Battery storage technology is developing quickly, but still too costly and inefficient to provide the requisite reliability and ratepayer benefits at scale to compensate for power plant retirements.

New dispatchable generation, likely natural gas and expanded nuclear, is the only short-term option for significant new generation that will allow the remaining coal and oil power plants to retire and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. We will maintain our environmental commitments through requirements that any new natural gas plants be convertible to run on hydrogen when that technology is sufficiently advanced. The PSC must also prioritize projects with carbon capture and co-located renewable energy or battery storage.

Although dispatchable generation, like natural gas, is not preferable, it is the only available and affordable option that will allow Maryland to decrease its reliance on dirtier energy sources like coal and oil in the  near-term future. For example, attempting to maintain the reliability of our energy grid to keep the lights on using only solar generation and battery storage is projected to cost 10x natural gas generation while utilizing more physical space than Maryland has available. At a time when energy bills are skyrocketing, forcing people to choose between keeping the heat and lights on versus feeding their families, that cost to our residents is untenable.

Both the Senate and House recognize we must do everything possible to lower everyday costs for Marylanders. 

My office has heard from numerous federal employees expressing concerns about job security and the potential defunding of essential services they provide. In addition, many constituents have voiced worries about funding and their rights.

To assist those affected by these challenges, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth has also compiled a comprehensive resource guide, which will be especially valuable to federal workers, immigrant families, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community during this period of uncertainty. Click here to view the guide.

Yesterday, Congresswoman Elfreth hosted a town hall meeting with Maryland Secretary of Labor, Portia Wu, where they discussed unemployment insurance and other resources available to federal workers in the state. [Click here to view the recording of the town hall meeting.]

The next town hall will be next Tuesday with Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to address concerns about policies instituted by President Trump that threaten and roll back protections for federal workers, the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, and many others.

If you would like to RSVP, you may do so by CLICKING HERE. For those who cannot attend in person, view the livestream by CLICKING HERE.

Governor Moore has also launched the Maryland Public Servants Resource Website, which serves as a centralized hub for programs and resources to support Maryland’s federal employees and contractors impacted by federal workforce layoffs, firings, and changes to federal funding. 

The website provides resources for impacted federal workers, including information on unemployment insurance, job search and career support, legal resources, and an index of key rules and regulations that govern the federal employment process. 

The site includes resources for Unemployment Insurance, Career Support, Health Coverage, Legal Resources and more.

• MD Labor Resource Website - This website provides information on resources like unemployment insurance benefits, career guidance, and reemployment support.
• FAQs for Federal Employees - Unemployment Insurance -Resource for Federal civilian employees who become unemployed due to no fault of their own can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).
• Regular Unemployment Insurance Overview - Other workers impacted by federal actions - such as employees who worked for a private sector employer that contracted with the federal government - may be eligible to apply for regular unemployment insurance.
• Virtual Workshop - A virtual workshop designed specifically for former federal employees, federal contractors, and other workers impacted by federal government transition is available on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. See workshop details (información del taller en español) and email FedWorker.Transition@maryland.gov to sign up.

The website will be updated regularly as additional information becomes available.

The Comptroller of Maryland - Frozen Federal Funds Reporting. Recent federal actions have resulted in the freezing and/or revocation of federal loans and grants to some nonprofit organizations. The Comptroller of Maryland has been closely monitoring this situation, particularly given the potential impact on Maryland’s economy, workforce, and communities. To assist us in assessing the scope and impact of these funding cuts, we invite you to share information with us if you have had problems accessing federal funding.

Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) helps residents reach success by working with them to connect to employment opportunities that not only match their passion, strengths, and skills but lead to long-term career growth and satisfaction. Every one of our customers is different so our Career Coaches start by working with customers to create a success plan that matches their wants, needs, and personal situation. AAWDC Career Coaches are at the Glen Burnie Library on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the Month from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm for their Pop-Up Career Center events. There is an AAWDC Federal Career Transition Hiring Event scheduled for March 20th, 4 pm to 7 pm at the O'Malley Senior Center, 1275 Odenton Rd, Odenton. Click HERE to register.

The Maryland Department of Labor (MD Labor) has prepared resources to support Maryland workers impacted by the federal government transition, including employees of the federal government and federal government contractors.

• Resource pages
  The MD Labor resource page provides information about unemployment insurance benefits and reemployment support, linking to our FAQs, application portals, and most-requested flyers for rapid access to key information. Governor Moore’s Resources for Impacted Workers page also provides legal resources, information on federal employment rules and regulations, and county programs and resources.
• Unemployment insurance FAQs
  Federal civilian employees who become unemployed due to no fault of their own can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). See our Unemployment Insurance FAQs for Federal Workers. Other workers impacted by federal actions—such as employees who worked for a private sector employer that contracted with the federal government—may be eligible to apply for regular unemployment insurance. See the Regular Unemployment Insurance Overview flyer for details. Individuals who are found eligible can receive up to $430 in weekly benefits (pre-tax).
  
  Workers should apply for UI benefits in the jurisdiction of their "duty station." This means, for example, that if you are a Marylander who is laid off from a federal job based in Virginia, you should apply for benefits in Virginia. Here are direct links to apply for UI benefits in Maryland; Washington, DC; and Virginia.
• Unemployment insurance phone line
  To apply for unemployment, workers can file online or call 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Federal workers should select option #9.
• Virtual workshop for impacted workers
  A virtual workshop designed specifically for former federal employees, federal contractors, and other workers impacted by federal government transition is available on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. See workshop details (información del taller en español) and email FedWorker.Transition@maryland.gov to sign up.
• Support in finding a new job
  MD Labor offers résumé workshops, individualized career guidance, mock interviews, career and skills assessment, effective job search strategies, support in coping with job loss and job transition, networking support, reemployment workshops, and more. These resources are provided through 33 American Job Centers (AJCs) and our specialized Professional Outplacement Assistance Center (POAC). See our resource guide (guía de recursos en español) for details. See our FAQ page for answers to common questions from workers transitioning from federal employment to new opportunities.

Just a friendly reminder—Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday! Don’t forget to set your clocks forward by one hour. Enjoy the extra daylight!

Sincerely,

Pamela Beidle

Senator, District 32, Maryland General Assembly

Click here to be directed to our Unemployment Insurance Assistance Form. 

The 2025/2026 Senatorial Scholarship application is now available! If you are a resident of District 32 and a college-bound High School senior or currently attend a Maryland college or university, you’re eligible to apply. Simply fill out the application at www.pambeidle.com/scholarships  by April 4th, 2025.

We understand that students may not have access to their FAFSA summary statements. To ensure that they can still apply for our scholarship, we will accept a screenshot or email confirmation of pending FAFSA for the 2025/2026 year. However, please note that once your FAFSA summary does become available, you must follow up and submit it to our office to complete your application no later than April 4th, 2025.

 If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Effective March 31st, there will be curbside collection day changes in Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Severna Park, Odenton and Gambrills. Curbside collection customers will receive a postcard this week and a second postcard the week of March 17th.

This will only affect certain customers. An address look up tool is available for a customer to search their new collection day at: www.aacounty.org/public-works/waste-management/curbside-collection/curbside-collection-day-change.

Customers can report a concern or missed collection by visiting www.aacounty.org clicking on “Issues & Records Requests” then clicking on "Report a Concern" or by contacting our Customer Service Team at 410-222-6100, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday.

The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) announces the reopening of the Glen Burnie Farmers Market (GBFM) this summer and is now seeking vendors to participate in the Market. The GBFM will take place on Thursdays from June 12 through September 11 (excluding holidays) from 4:00-7:00PM at the Glen Burnie Town Center (GBTC), located at 101 North Crain Highway in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

The Market will feature locally grown, raised, and produced foods and goods, food trucks, and free parking in the Glen Burnie Parking Garage located at 7480 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. Managed by AAEDC this season, the Market is the latest example of the organization’s investment in revitalizing the GBTC and its surrounding areas.

AAEDC is accepting applications from local producers and businesses that would like to be considered to participate in the 2025 Glen Burnie Farmers Market season through March 31, 2025. The application can be accessed here: 2025 GLEN BURNIE FARMERS MARKET VENDOR APPLICATION.

The corporation is currently managing the installation of a public art mural located at Rotary Park that abuts GBTC, and has partnered with the Better Block Foundation to create the Glen Burnie Better Plaza, a placemaking project that will temporarily transform GBTC into a refreshed gathering space for the community in the summer of 2025. In addition, the organization is utilizing Project Restore funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to help fill vacant commercial properties in the area.

To learn more about AAEDC’s additional work in the GBTC area, please visit the Glen Burnie Town Center Mural page or read AAEDC’s and Better Block Foundation’s announcement of “The Glen Burnie Better Plaza.”  

Congresswoman Elfreth's Community Project Funding process is now open!

For more details, here is a link to Congresswoman Elfreth’s resource guide that outlines the Community Project Funding process and her office's application. The guide provides the most up-to-date information and available accounts in a clear, accessible format:

[FY 2026 Community Project Funding Guide]

Please note that the House Appropriations Committee has not yet released official guidance for FY 2026, as the FY 2025 budget is still being finalized. The guide above reflects FY 2025 guidance and will be updated once the FY 2026 guidance is available.

The FY 2026 application is due by Monday, March 17, 2025. To apply for Community Project Funding, please use the link below:

[FY 2026 Community Project Funding Application]

March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the groundbreaking achievements of women past and present while recognizing the challenges they have overcome and continue to face. This March, Anne Arundel County Public Library invites you to honor and uplift women's voices through engaging events, thought-provoking reads, and valuable resources that highlight their contributions to history, culture, and society. Join us as we learn, reflect, and celebrate the power of women’s stories!

SAVE THE DATE for Anne Arundel County's FREE Homeownership Resource Fair this spring at the Severn Center! Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a homeownership counseling class (pre-registration will be required), learn about ACDS' housing programs, speak with lenders and realtors, take advantage of other housing resources and more!

The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is hosting a free summer camp program called HERoes on the HERizon. The camp is a free week-long program designed to encourage young women in high school and college to explore careers in emergency management and public safety.

The camp will take place July 14-18, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Anne Arundel County OEM located at 7480 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Glen Burnie, MD 21061. This unique program offers participants the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and field trips led by industry professionals.

HERoes on the HERizon is open to all young women in high school and college in Maryland. To apply or learn more about the program, visit our website or email oem-camp@aacounty.org. The application period closes at 4:30 pm on Friday, June 6, 2025. Selected applicants will be notified on or before Friday, June 20, 2025.

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