Dear Friends,

I hope that you are all staying safe and warm amidst this harsh weather. We commend the First Responders, DPW, SHA/MDOT, and everyone who has worked so diligently to clear roads and keep us safe during the snow and ice storm. I have more information from the DPW below. 

This weekend, we kick off Black History Month. Black History is a critical thread in the rich tapestry of Maryland’s history. Maryland has one of the highest black populations in the United States, and has produced some true heroes, such as Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall, and many more. You can click here for more information on special Black History Month events hosted by Visit Maryland. Please join me in celebrating the many incredible Black voices of Maryland!

This week, two of my bills were heard in the Finance Committee:

•  SB246, Health Services Cost Review Commission - Term of Office of Members, was heard on Tuesday.

• SB248, Maryland Technology Development Corporation Investments - Alterations, was heard on Thursday. 

The Finance Committee also sent the first bill in the Senate to Third Reader, which was very exciting! We are busy in the Senate Finance Committee, but we are accomplishing meaningful work for all Marylanders.

I understand the deep concerns that so many families have regarding the proposed budget cuts to DDA services in Governor Moore’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget, as introduced on January 21st. Any proposed budget cuts must be carefully considered. Still, extra attention must be paid when these changes negatively impact programs that support the daily well-being of vulnerable populations, like those with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

The Governor’s FY27 budget, as introduced, is the starting point for the legislature’s constitutionally required work of passing a balanced budget before we adjourn in April. That work is increasingly complicated this year due to the increased uncertainty at the national level, as policies are enacted impacting our State’s workforce and the availability of federal funding.

I understand the importance of this issue, and I have scheduled a meeting with DDA Leadership to discuss the situation.

Message from the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works as of 1/29:

• Current Status: Troops are exhausted but working hard. Snow removal was extended due to ice bonding, chemical effectiveness challenges, and the nature of the precipitation (powder, sleet, flash-freezing rain, creating a 3-5 inch layer of ice). We are currently using 80+ pieces of heavy equipment to remove snowpack, widen roads, and move snow, reaching previously unserviced communities. Plow trucks are continuously applying salt. We have used 9,150 tons of salt and 63,645 gallons of brine since the start of the event. Crews have completed the following routes since the end of the storm:
  • 100% of the main roads
  • 97% of the collector roads
  • 86% of the local neighborhood roads
• Today's Operations: Heavy equipment is deployed to address poor conditions, ice packs, and narrow lanes. Road Districts are investigating approximately 650 open Emergency Service Requests (we’ve addressed 6488 requests so far), prioritizing based on Hotspot reports to ensure no streets have been missed. The DPW Operations Center (DOC) is triaging high-priority requests (medical, dialysis, fuel oil),  managing routes for curbside solid waste collection, and manually processing a high volume of requests from multiple channels.
• Future Operations: To ensure we can continue operating through the rest of the season, we must protect our human and mechanical resources.  We plan to continue shifts through midnight, then step back to Highways-only operations, allowing other Bureau staff to return to home units. Additional contracted Heavy Equipment will be retained through at least tomorrow. Clean-up is expected to continue through Sunday, dependent on new accumulation.

Other Information from the DPW:

• Residents can help DPW’s road improvement efforts by being cooperative and supportive. A bit of kindness towards our crews and support staff can truly motivate them and help sustain their energy as they work diligently to enhance our roads.
• Passable, Not Bare: Our goal is to provide passable roads. Due to the extreme icing and sub-freezing temperatures, ice packs and slick conditions are unavoidable.
• Resource Limits: Residential streets are passable. We cannot dedicate additional resources to scrape these down to bare pavement without jeopardizing our ability to respond to the next storm.
• Progress: Conditions will continue to improve as we cycle through these routes, but "bare pavement" is not a realistic or intended outcome for this event.

The Public should report their concerns through our online service request tool at https://www.aacounty.org/public-works/highways/snow-removal/snow-level-service

In honor of National Transit Equity Day, the Maryland Transit Administration will offer free rides on March 4th. This includes local bus service, light rail, metro subway, MARC train, mobility, and commuter bus.

The 2026/2027 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 6th, 2026.

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

Thank you for your confidence in me to allow me to serve as your Senator representing District 32. You can contact us by phone at 410-841-3593 or by email at Pamela.Beidle@Senate.Maryland.Gov; my office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. My Chief of Staff, Nancy Lipin Crawford, and our Legislative Aide, Abigail Bento, will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have. 

Sincerely,

Pamela Beidle

Senator, District 32, Maryland General Assembly

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Have you been denied insurance coverage for medically necessary care or had your emergency appeals denied? Call the MIA Emergency Hotline at 1-800-492-6116

“Maryland law gives Maryland consumers the right to appeal a decision that denies you coverage for medically necessary treatment. If your health care provider has determined that certain medical treatment is needed, but your HMO or health insurer does not agree, this law allows you to appeal. Under the appeals and grievances law, the Maryland insurance Commissioner has the authority to overturn your health plan's decision if your treatment is determined to be medically necessary.”

For more information, click here. 

Anne Arundel County will open several county facilities to provide warming relief as we near closer to the winter season. These facilities are meant to be utilized by community members seeking temporary relief from the cold weather during their normal business hours. Click here for scheduling and locations. 

For additional resources, such as shelter, special accommodations, or more, contact the AAC Warm Line (see end of newsletter).

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

The Anne Arundel Libraries have an abundance of exciting upcoming events. There are events for all ages, ranging from infants to adults. Please see the link below to help you find your local library and events near you: https://www.aacpl.net/