Dear Friends,

It has been an incredibly busy interim this year. My weeks are filled with meetings, site visits, briefings, and more. I have been meeting with various state agencies, organizations, and individuals to discuss legislation for the upcoming session. I am looking forward to January and all of the work we are going to accomplish here at the MGA. 
 

Government Shutdown Resources

  • State-wide Resources from Governor Wes Moore’s Office: Maryland Workers Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown

  • Energy Bill Payments: BGE is providing enhanced bill payment support for federal employees and contractors amidst the shutdown. View the Assistance Finder for more information, or call them at 1-800-685-0123.

  • Unsure if you will be impacted? Check out these FAQ and resource pages from Congresswomen Sarah Elfreth and Angela Alsobrook’s Offices regarding the government shutdown and its impacts on Marylanders.

  • Unemployment insurance information and application: Click here.

  • Food, Baby Supplies, and more: visit the Anne Arundel County Food Bank’s resource page here, or call the Warm Line at 410-222-FOOD(3663). 
 

SNAP Benefits Update

On Monday, Governor Moore announced that he will be releasing $62 million in funds to ensure all Marylanders remain fully benefited through November on the SNAP program. Thank you, Governor Moore, for stepping up and doing the right thing for Marylanders. I know how important SNAP and WIC benefits are to many people in our community, and I stand with you in fighting to ensure they remain. We must band together to ensure no neighbor, friend, or relative goes hungry this fall. Please see below for food bank resources, local food drives, and fundraisers. Whether you are looking for help or looking to help, we are in this together. 

 

For more information on the Governor’s Executive Order, click here. 
 

Food Bank , Food Drive, and Donation Information

Here are resources provided by the Maryland Department of Emergency Management for constituents facing food insecurity:

 

Anne Arundel County-Specific Resources Via AACDOH:

 

Maryland-Wide Information from the Maryland Food Bank:

"The Maryland Food Bank has over 750 partners located throughout the state - operating food pantries, holding pop-up food distribution events, and inviting our Mobile Market trucks to act as a “grocery store on wheels” to more rural communities where transportation and food access are challenges. We provide over 1 million Marylanders annually with healthy food options and fresh produce – much of it locally grown, and strive to tailor our food response to the needs of the families and communities we serve."

 

Our priority is ensuring that Marylanders facing food insecurity know that we can help in times of need. To that end, you may contact the Maryland Food Bank by:

Donation Information via Women’s Caucus:

  • The Women Legislators of Maryland have partnered with The Maryland Food Bank to support families affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown. Through our donation link, you can donate food items (there's a high demand for rice and fruit cups right now) or make a financial contribution directly to the Maryland Food Bank. Every single donation makes a difference. Click the link here to donate and find more information. 
 

Redistricting Committee

On Tuesday, Governor Moore announced a Redistricting Advisory Commission to address congressional maps and representation in Maryland. Here is the statement from his press release: 

 

“Today, Governor Wes Moore announced the creation of the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to consider mid-cycle redistricting. The commission will organize public hearings, solicit public feedback, and make recommendations to the governor and Maryland General Assembly to improve our current map and ensure Maryland has fair Congressional maps.”

 

For more information on this committee, read the full release here. 
 

Winter Road Operations: Helpful Information 2025-2026 

While winter is not upon us just yet, it is always helpful to be prepared. Please see below for information regarding inclement weather in Anne Arundel County:

How residents can help:

  • Park your vehicles in your driveway whenever possible. On-street parking is one of the biggest challenges our snowplow drivers face. If off-street parking is not available, it is strongly recommended that you park your vehicles on one side of the road to ensure accessibility for our snowplow drivers. If our snowplow drivers feel they cannot safely access your street, no service will be provided. 

  • Residents in cul-de-sacs should park in driveways or parallel with the right-hand wheels 12 inches from the right-hand curb in accordance with County code 13-3-102(e)(2). One misplaced vehicle in a cul-de-sac may prevent it from being plowed.

  • Help avoid the frustration that occurs should a snowplow cover your driveway entrance with snow after you have shoveled. Try to wait to shovel the end of your driveway until the snowplow has made one pass. When shoveling, stand facing the street and shovel snow to the right into the yard, rather than into the street. Please remember that snowplows plow to the right, and shoveling your driveway snow to the right will help reduce the amount of snow the plow re-deposits across your driveway entrance.

  • Clear your sidewalk of any snow accumulation. Don't place snow from the sidewalks in the street. 

  • Caution your children to stay clear of snow removal equipment.

  • Volunteer to assist the elderly and disabled citizens of Anne Arundel County by contacting the Department of Aging at (410) 222-4257. For more information, please visit https://www.aacounty.org/services/volunteer

  • Please don't leave your empty trash cans, recycling bins, or other obstacles in the street. 

  • Stay at home! Every car left at home reduces the number of stranded vehicles that slow down snow removal operations.

  • Our drivers thank you for helping them perform their job safely.
 

Further Shutdown Resources from the VFW

  • Financial Resources:

    • Bank of America: Furloughed Federal employees, call the priority assistance line at 844.219.0690.

    • Chase Bank: Chase announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Here’s the special line they set up, 1-888-356-0023.

    • Congressional Federal Credit Union: For more information on their Relief Line of Credit or any other assistance programs, contact their Member Service Representatives at 800-491-2328 or stop by one of their branch locations.

    • Fed Choice: For various assistance options, click here.

    • Interior Federal Credit Union: They’re offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest-free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of 2 net paychecks. For more information, click here or call 800-914-8619.

    • Navy Federal Credit Union: Offering a special loan program. Click here or call 1-888-842-6328 for more information. 

    • PayPal: PayPal has allocated funds to interest-free cash advances for furloughed Federal workers who need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you’re an existing PayPal Credit customer. Existing customers call 1-877-689-1975. For new accounts, apply first, then after approval, call 1-877-689-1975.

    • U.S. Bank: Will waive all late fees if you miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. They will also be deferring first payment dates for new mortgages.

    • U.S. Employees Credit Union: USECU is offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, January 15th. Call (312) 922.5310 to get help.

    • Union Plus: Call them at 800-472-2005 to ask about these offers: $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit card holders, Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: payment grace period for your Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance, payment grace period for Union Plus Auto Insurance, and payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance.

    • Wells Fargo: There are a few different options to help, depending on the services you have with their bank. Click here for more information.

  • Furlough Grants

    • FEEA-NARFE: They are offering $100 grants to active federal employee members who are not receiving a paycheck during the current shutdown due to being furloughed or working in excepted status. To apply, click here.

  • Thrift Savings Plan

    • TSP Plan News and Announcements: TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. Log in to your account to check your status or simply call the Thrift Line at 1-877-968-3778.

  • Automotive

    • Toyota Financial Services & Lexus Financial Services: Affected lease and finance customers in good standing with their accounts may be eligible to take advantage of up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota Financial Services call 800-874-8822 and Lexus Financial Services call 800-874-7050.

    • Hyundai Capital: Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loans and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at 1-800-523-4030.

    • Kia Motors Finance: Kia has announced it’s offering deferred payments of 30 days. If you’ve been affected by the current Government Shutdown and need assistance from Kia Finance, please contact them at 1-866-331-5632.

  • Mobile Telephone Service Providers

    • AT&T: Will assist with adjusting late fees, providing extensions, and revising payment schedules.

    • Sprint: Will provide short-term payment solutions. Call 1-888-211-4747

    • T-Mobile: Offering short-term assistance and can spread out service payments over time. Call 1-877-746-0909 or 611 from a T-Mobile device.

    • Verizon: Offering flexible payment options and has a Promise to Pay program to set payments for a future date. Call 1-866-266-1445.

  • Rental Home Assistance

    • National Rental Home Council: Represents many of the nation’s largest operators of single-family rental homes. They’re offering deferred rent payment options with no late fees to any renter who has been furloughed.

    • OPM Sample Letters for Creditors and Mortgage Companies: OPM created sample letters for Federal workers to contact their landlords, mortgage lenders, and utilities, to request help during the shutdown. Click here for more information. 

  • National Food Resources & Advice

    • Local School District: To ensure your child receives free breakfast and/or lunch, notify the district of your furlough. No income is an emergency and typically qualifies you for a free meal program.

  • Home, Auto & Life Insurance Relief

    • MetLife: For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government because of the current shutdown, MetLife Auto & Home may grant a one-time, 30-day grace period on your payment of premium on a MetLife Auto & Home policy. Members must request this one-time allowance by calling 1-800-GET-MET8. Certain restrictions apply, and the premium remains due after the delay expires.

    • Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company: To help the nearly 27,000 AFGE members who currently have a policy with the company during this government shutdown, the company “will keep the policy-in-force by waving the cost of insurance charges for the next 30 days.”. Policies beginning with the letter "Y" call: 844-800-9146, all other policies call: 888-513-8797

  • Other Notable Mentions for Relief & Assistance.

    • Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus Membership): If your account was up to date at the time of furlough and you are a part of Benefits Plus, you may be eligible for a payment waiver based on your state: “Involuntary Unemployment Payment Waiver: Losing a job is hard, and making payments while unemployed is even harder. Fortunately, your Membership waives your payments when you are involuntarily unemployed. Whether you were fired, laid off, suspended, or are out of work due to a labor dispute or strike, your payments are covered for up to four (4) months, up to $1,000, or when you’re able to return to work.”

  • National Freebie Offers

    • USAA is offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments.USAA is also offering 0% loans equal to your pay.

  • Tower Federal Credit Union:

    • Tower Federal is also offering a "paycheck assistance program" for members. Click here for more information. 

* Bullets “Financial” - “Tower Federal Credit Union” are sourced from the VFW *
 

Senate Office Schedule

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 Legislative Aide, Abigail Bento, will be in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday and working remotely on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

 

The interim is getting 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
 

Community Events/ Opportunities 
 

Seasonal Positions Opening at Amazon

From Amazon’s Newsletter “Working on it!”: Amazon is creating 250,000 seasonal positions nationwide for the upcoming holiday season, including 6,500 jobs here in Maryland, over 3,000 of which will be in the Baltimore area. These roles offer flexible scheduling options with an average wage of more than $19 per hour. Interested candidates can visit http://amazon.com/localjobs for weekly job postings through December. 

 

Note: Open roles are posted throughout the holiday season and fill quickly, so candidates should check back often. 
 

Upcoming Library Events

The Anne Arundel Libraries have an abundance of exciting upcoming events. There are events for all ages, ranging from infants to adults. With it being National Deaf Awareness and Hispanic Heritage months, there are special events! Please see the link below to help you find your local library and events near you: https://www.aacpl.net/
 

Resource Update

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