Sunday, February 12, 2017

I Need Your Input

      When you elected me you gave me the authority to vote on issues that come before the General Assembly. Many issues are not very controversial, at least in terms of our district, and I have a good idea how people want me to vote. But here are some of the issues where I would like to know how you feel.  To let me know your answers, click on the survey link at the end of this legislative report, and fill out the survey.

      If you would like to know more about any of the bills, you can go to the MD General Assembly website ( http://mgaleg.maryland.gov ) and look up the bill; or send me an email.  If you have a strong interest in any of these bills and want to know more about them, I encourage you to come to Annapolis and attend hearings. You can also watch hearings online at the state legislative website (look for the headphone icons and “On Air” buttons on the right side of the mgaleg home page).
  1. Should we ban fracking in Maryland or just extend the existing moratorium for two more years?  (HB 1325)
  2. Do you support increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2021? (HB 1416)
  3. Do you support legislation that would prevent local jurisdictions from raising the minimum wage above the state minimum wage? (HB 317)
  4. Do you support “Death with Dignity” legislation?  (This would allow terminally ill patients above the age of 18 to request medication to end their life. The patients must have six months or less to live, and must provide oral and written consent from at least two doctors.) (HB 370)
  5. Do you support bail bond legislation that eliminates the need for cash bail using a Pretrial Services assessment, when the defendant is not a flight risk, is not accused of a violent crime, and is not a danger to the community? (There are two different bills that propose similar measures, HB 1390 and HB 1218)
  6. Do you support putting the issue of the legalization of marijuana on the ballot?  (Allows an individual in the State who is at least 21 years old to use marijuana, possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana, and cultivate up to 6 marijuana plant) (HB 665)
  7. Should employers be required to provide paid sick days for employees?
  8. There are actually two bills on the issue of paid sick days.  The Administration has a bill which would only cover employers with 50 or more people. (HB 382)   Another bill introduced by Delegate Clippinger would cover employers with 15 or more employees. (HB 1) Which one is preferable?
  9. Do you support the expansion of vouchers from $5 million to $7 million to send disadvantaged students to private and parochial schools? [Included in the Governor’s budget.]
  10. Should all the members of the Prince George’s School Board be elected (currently, 9 out of 14 members are elected, and the remaining are appointed)? PG 402-17 [This is a local bill and does not have a state number yet – you can look it up on this link: www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com ]
  11. Do you support the Maryland Trust Act? (HB 1362) [You can read more about it below]
Click on this link:  
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B639YZ3

Legislators Introduce Trust Act
           

In response to the actions of the Trump Administration, state legislators in Maryland have introduced the Trust Act.  It does some of the following
  1. Prevents a government agent from using public resources to enforce civil immigration enforcement
  2. Prevents law enforcement officials from stopping, arresting, searching or detaining an individual simply to find out immigration or citizenship status
  3. Prevents a government agency from creating a registry or database for the purpose of immigration enforcement or investigation
  4. Prevents state and local law enforcement officers from being deputized as immigration officers
I am happy to be a co-sponsor of this bill.
 

District 47 Night in Annapolis
Monday March 13th from 6 PM -8 PM


What's better than a night out in Annapolis? Join our District 47 Legislators in Annapolis on Monday March 13th; we've got your dinner plans and civic duty covered!

Feel free to ask your elected officials about the local and state issues that you care about. Best of all, enjoy good food and great conversation with us.

RSVP at (301) 858-3745
or victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us