February 21, 2025

With the legislative session half over, we want to take this opportunity to connect, discuss key issues, and answer questions you may have. Your input is invaluable, and we hope you can attend our Virtual Town Hall focused on the latest developments in session and issues that matter to you.

The town hall will include an overview of key legislation, followed by a Q&A where we’ll address your questions and concerns.

Dear Friends,

This past week in Annapolis, my staff and I had the pleasure of meeting with a variety of advocates and community members, each passionate about the issues that matter most to them. We spoke with representatives from the Maryland Library Association and the Baltimore County Public Libraries, who shared their legislative priorities on supporting public funding for libraries and all the services they provide.  Families and advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities expressed deep concerns over proposed budget cuts, emphasizing how essential programs like Self-Directed Services and Low Intensity Support Services are helping families provide individualized care. We also heard from CCBC students advocating to preserve programs that support student success like Maryland College Promise Scholarships and access to State scholarship grants for Community College students. We also met with Arts community leaders highlighting the importance of arts education and enrichment for people of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors.

Meeting with constituents is one of the most meaningful aspects of each session. Your insights and personal stories help shape my understanding of key issues and inform my decision-making on proposed legislation. We appreciate everyone who took the time to share their perspectives, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations in the weeks ahead. Thank you for your advocacy!

District 11 Virtual Town Hall - Thursday, March 6, 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 PM

This bill says that if the governing body has just one subscriber, then an alternate subscriber shall be appointed to the governing board.

This is important because residents of a CCRC  may not always be able to attend meetings of the governing body.  Having an alternate will ensure that subscribers can have a voting presence.  It will also provide another resident voice on the governing body. 

landlord. This bill will ensure all renters have upfront information about a building’s pet policy.  It will also help pet owners make informed decisions before signing lease agreements, thus avoiding unexpected costs or disputes. By standardizing pet policy disclosures, the bill promotes a fairer and more consistent rental process across all properties. If passed, the bill would take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key improvements include:

• Reduced premiums: Maryland’s premiums are the 5th lowest in the nation, with the lowest Bronze and Gold plans, and the 3rd lowest Silver plans.
• Gains in historically underinsured communities: Black enrollment has increased by 23%, and Hispanic enrollment by 25%.
• Health improvements for older populations: Marylanders aging into Medicare now have significantly lower rates of chronic diseases and hospitalizations.
• Diabetes care: The amputation rate for diabetes patients has dropped from 56% to 23%.
• Increased screenings and care: There’s been an increase in colon cancer screenings, vaccinations, contraception use, and chronic disease screenings. Survival rates for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have increased by 34%.
• Economic benefit: The ACA has become a key economic driver for small business owners who can now afford health coverage for their employees.
• Record enrollment among young adults: The surge in enrollment among young adults helps maintain a healthy pool of insured individuals, driving down overall costs.
• All-time high enrollment: The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange has reached record levels of enrollment.

The State of the Chesapeake Bay

During a recent briefing, the Environment and Transportation Committee received an update on the health of the Chesapeake Bay, which despite a C+ rating, is now at its best in over 20 years but much work remains.

Since the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, significant progress has been made, including record-low dead zones (areas of little to no oxygen where aquatic life cannot survive) for three consecutive years, thriving underwater grasses, large-scale oyster restoration, and expanded land conservation efforts.

However, challenges remain—13 of the 31 restoration goals for 2025 are off track. Key priorities moving forward include upgrading wastewater treatment plants, strengthening stormwater regulations, and reducing nutrient pollution in targeted areas. 

Read More here

The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is now available. 

If you missed the U.S. Department of Education’s webinar series on FAFSA resources and navigating StudentAid.gov, don’t worry! You can watch recordings on YouTube @FSAOutreach. 

Students, parents, and college/career professionals are encouraged to tune in for information on creating a StudentAid.gov account, paying for college and career school, and avoiding financial aid scams.

The applications for my H. Allan Lipsitz Memorial Legislative Scholarship are now available.  Please visit my website for more details. 

As a reminder, students who received a scholarship last year need to re-apply for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Students can get additional information about state financial aid—including how to navigate the FAFSA process—by going to the Maryland Higher Education Commission website. To be considered for state financial aid, you must file FAFSA June 30, 2025. To be notified of scholarship eligibility for Maryland Scholarships, you are encouraged to file by March 1, 2025.

Don’t forget to apply for the other District 11B scholarships!

• Senator Shelly Hettleman
• Delegate Jon Cardin

All completed scholarship applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025. 

Sincerely,

Dana Stein

Delegate, Speaker Pro Tem, District 11B, Maryland General Assembly

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