Dear Friends,

And just like that, it is August! It feels like this summer is flying by, and the  2025-2026 school year is just around the corner. With back-to-school season comes Maryland’s Annual Tax-Free Week. You can read more information below. 

Be sure to soak up these last summer moments with family and friends, and check out the local events here in District 32. 

Finally, the Federal Railway Association (FRA) has decided on the Maglev. I, along with many citizens who were active with the Maryland Coalition for Responsible Transit, worked to block this project from destroying our neighborhoods.  We have fought against it for many years. The FRA issued the rescission notice yesterday. The recission includes the elimination of all Federal Grants.

" The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is announcing that it is rescinding its Notice of Intent (NOI) and will not prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMAGLEV) Project described therein. FRA previously issued a NOI to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register on November 15, 2016.

Thank you to our Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth for notifying me immediately, and thank you, Governor Wes Moore, for your call.

My gratitude to MCRT and a special thank you to Linthicum's own Dan Woomer and Suzzie Schuyler for your work. This was many years of meetings, coming to Annapolis to testify on bills opposing the project, and keeping the Linthicum Community informed. 

We need to work for improved train travel in our state, but not the Maglev.

The Maryland State Highway Administration and its contractor are continuing work next week for the MD175 / MD295 Interchange Reconstruction Project in Anne Arundel County. 

There is a scheduled beam replacement at the MD175 bridge, so the following overnight MD295 lane closures are scheduled:

• Northbound MD 295 lane closures: Monday, August 11 & Tuesday, August 12, 10 p.m. – 5 a.m.
• Southbound MD 295 lane closures: Wednesday, August 13 & Thursday, August 14, 10 p.m. – 5 a.m.

Drivers will be directed to use a signed detour (MD 32, I-95, MD 100) for each scheduled night of work. Portable variable message signs are in place advising of the upcoming lane closures. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes such as I-97, MD 3, US 1 or US 29 to avoid delays.   

Customers may contact the SHA District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or I-800-331-5603 with any questions.

This past week, I was pleased to be present when Governor Moore signed the Executive Order to implement the “Longevity Ready Maryland Plan”. 

Longevity Ready Maryland is a collaborative, long-term plan that aims to support the work of service providers by consolidating resources; coordinating efforts across government, businesses, and communities; and transforming systems of care to more sustainably accommodate a greater number of older Marylanders. To advance the objectives of the plan, the Maryland Department of Aging will work to encourage collaboration between state agencies, support local initiatives, and improve access to home- and community-based services. (Office of Governor Moore)

Thank you to Secretary Rogues and her team at the Maryland Department of Aging for developing the plan. You can read about it here.

This week, I have been away at the National Conference of State Legislators. I was selected from amongst my colleagues to represent the Maryland State Legislature here in Boston. I am serving on the Banking and Financial Services Committee as well as the Technology and Communications Committee. It has been so wonderful meeting with fellow lawmakers and all of the people who make the legislative process possible. More information about this experience to come!

The 2025 Maryland Tax-Free Week is from August 10th to 16th. Qualifying apparel and shoes under $100 or less per item will be exempt from the state sales tax. Also, the first $40 of a backpack purchase will be tax-free as well. 

If you have any questions, check out this FAQ sheet from the Comptroller's Office, or call (800)-MD-TAXES for more information. 

The State of Maryland offers taxpayers with student loan debt a tax credit that could help save them a significant amount of money. The Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit is an excellent benefit available to eligible Marylanders to reduce their student loan debt. 

How does the credit work?

• The credit is claimed on your Maryland income tax return when filing your Maryland taxes.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a Maryland resident for the 2025 tax year

• File Maryland state income taxes for the 2025 tax year

• Have originally incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt

• Hold a minimum outstanding student loan debt balance of $5,000 at the time of the application

• Certify that the entire amount awarded was directly applied to eligible student loan payments

Please note there is an application deadline of SEPTEMBER 15th. 

For more information and the application link, click here. 

These updates come in response to public hearings that were held in June and a thirty-day comment period. Here are some key highlights of the new fare policy:

• Free rides for children 12 and under, expanding access to youth by lifting the previous age limit of 6 years old.

• Baltimore City Public School (BCPS) students can now travel at any time using their BCPS student

pass. This change enables greater participation in after-school programs, access to part-time jobs, and other opportunities.

• Expanding eligibility of the All Access Student Transit Pass (formerly All Access College Transit

Pass) to include private school students, broadening access to more youth riders across the region.

• Expanded transfer window for CharmPass users, increasing from 90 minutes to 120 minutes, allowing

more flexibility and access across metropolitan Baltimore at no additional cost.

• Foundation for a low-income fare program for participants in the Maryland Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (SNAP). This will support economically disadvantaged individuals with greater

physical and economic mobility.

• New $5 surcharge for Light Rail riders who do not have a valid ticket at the time of fare inspection and subsequently purchase one with the CharmPass app - encouraging systemwide fare compliance.

Find the complete fare policy guide here.

This week marked the grand opening of the Anne Arundel County Non-Profit Center at the Crownesville Hospital Memorial Park. The Non-Profit Center was founded in 2023 to support the non-profits of Anne Arundel County and aid their work in advancing the health and wellness of county residents. 

Thank you to County Executive Pittman for bringing together local, state, and federal leaders to make this happen, and thank you to the non-profits of Anne Arundel County for their support in making our community a better place. 

My office remains open year-round to help you with issues and answer your questions. During the interim, my Chief of Staff, Nancy Lipin Crawford, and our new Legislative Aide, Abigail Bento, will be in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday and working remotely on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

The interim is busy, there are community events, meetings, committee site visits, task force studies, and oversight committee meetings to attend.

Thank you, District 32, for allowing me to serve as your State Senator. I am looking forward to seeing you out and about in the community.

Sincerely,

Pamela Beidle

Senator, District 32, Maryland General Assembly

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

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will serve free meals to children again this summer, beginning Monday, June 16. The meals are provided to children ages 2 to 18 regardless of family income level.

AACPS has served summer meals to children since 2003. The school district is reimbursed for meals by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Meals will be served at 22 open sites this summer, fewer than in prior years. The consolidation was done after an examination of post-COVID pandemic needs and a reduction in meal participation as well as implementation of steps to ensure that meal sites are accessible, efficient, and comply with federal regulations.

Summer Meals Menus:

• June 16-June 26

• June 30-July 10

• July 14-July 24

• July 28-August 7

• August 11-August 21

The following six sites will serve meals Monday through Thursday:

• Brock Bridge ES (Rural)

• High Point ES

• Lothian ES (Rural)

• MacArthur MS

• Tracey’s ES (Rural)

• Kim’s Karate, Glen Burnie

   

Additionally, AACPS will operate mobile meals delivery to 16 community sites. They are:

• North County: Heritage Hills, Pumphrey Center, Willows Apartments.

• West County: Orchards at Severn, Meade Village, Spring Meadows, Still Meadows.

• Annapolis: Admiral Farragut, Annapolis Gardens, Bywater, Congregation Kneseth Israel, Hilltop Village, Woodside Gardens.

• South County (all sites designated as rural): Boones Mobile Estates, Lyons Creek Estates, Maryland Manor.

Click here for information about serving times at rural sites.

Click here for information about serving times at community sites.

Per USDA regulations, meals at all sites except those designated as rural must be consumed on-site. Meals at rural sites may be taken away from the site to be consumed. Preregistration is required at rural sites and can be done on site.

Meals will also be served at 27 other sites with summer programming, but will only be served to students enrolled in programs at those sites.

Events for Preschoolers and Kids:

• Tape Town (August 18th at 5:30pm and August 19th at 10am)

  • Drive your vehicle through Tape Town and explore fun areas along the way as we learn through play. The library will provide all vehicles for our pretend town. 

• Lego Club (August 28th at 6:30pm)

  • Take on a challenge and build a masterpiece! Creations will be displayed after the program.

Programs for Teens:

• Nintendo Switch Gaming Afternoon: Mario Kart Tournament (August 12th)

  • Power up your afternoon by challenging your friends in a speed-chasing competition with Mario Kart

Events for Adults: 

• Donuts & Discussions: Air Dry Clay Pottery (August 15th at 10:30am)

  • Visit us for a morning of learning, socializing, and donuts

• Cook the Book: Breakfast for Dinner (August 26th at 6:30pm)

  • We’ll celebrate the end of the season with a burst of whimsy! Bring your favorite breakfast food for our celebration of the most important meal of the day. 

• Adult Book Club (August 23rd at 11am)

  • What’s better than diving into a fantastic new book? Discussing it with other readers afterward! August’s selection is Erasure by Percival Everett

Events for Adults and Teens:

• Tarot for Life (August 20th at ^:30pm)

  • Join us for an introduction to Tarot! We’ll be talking about using tarot ‘for life’ - for self-reflection and spiritual guidance - by diving into its origins and structure. 

• Dungeons and Dragons in the Library (August 23rd at 1pm and August 25th at 6:30pm)

  • For beginners and seasoned dungeon crawlers. Make new friends and adventure together into the Forgotten Realms and beyond. 

Events for All:

• Color Your World Escape Room (August 8th at 10am and August 9th at 10am)

  • Celebrate summer at your library 2025 with a colorful and lighthearted escape room! Participants will have 4 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles, and unlock the door in this fun escape room for ages 6 and up. Limit of 8 participants per time slot.

• The Great Oreo Taste Test (August 19th at 6pm)

  • Think you have what it takes to identify the many varied flavors of Oreo cookies? Be a contestant in The Great Oreo Taste Test! Celebrate Family Fun Month by beginning the whole family to snack, guess, and have fun in this delicious challenge. It's a tasty way to put your taste buds to the test!

Use this link to sign up for events and find more details. 

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