February 22, 2017

Dear Friend:

As we hit the halfway point in our 90-day legislative session, I thought I’d share some photos from the first 45 days. Thanks to everyone who has come down to share your views on the various legislative proposals before us!

Photo Album: Moments From the First Half of Session

This young day care advocate came with the MD Family Network.	These talented women are among Montgomery County’s most effective Chamber of Commerce leaders!

Spoke out at a rally hosted by CASA of MD.	Former Rockville Councilmember Tom Moore accompanied FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub.	Loved welcoming a beloved cousin on the Senate floor!

Heard about public health issues from pharmacist constituents.	Pleased to endorse gubernatorial appointee, Judge Michael Algeo.

District 17 Night in Annapolis!

The District 17 Team hosted busloads of our friends and neighbors for a delicious buffet and a few speeches. If you missed it, I hope you’ll try to join us next year!

The District 17 Delegation: Del. Jim Gilchrist, Del. Andrew Platt, Sen. Cheryl Kagan, and Del. Kumar Barve.	Delighted to welcome Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III.

On the Senate Floor with the Mayors of Gaithersburg & Rockville.	Wonderful to meet these smart, engaged students from Gaithersburg!

Helping District 17 Residents This year, my office has helped constituents resolve urgent problems including unemployment benefits issues, health insurance coverage lapses, and eviction avoidance. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you need help with a State agency. We will do our best to assist you!

 

Banning Harmful Food Packaging

In addition to meeting with constituents, I am hard at work on my own legislative initiatives. This week, an excellent Baltimore Sun op-ed by Johns Hopkins’ Dr. Richard Bruno highlighted the public health need for my ban on harmful polystyrene food containers, SB186.

Protecting Our Cities From Fraud

In 2015, the Senate passed the False Claims Act, allowing the State or a County to sue contractors who try to defraud the government– but cities were inadvertently omitted. Gaithersburg Councilmember Ryan Spiegel approached me with the idea for SB26, which seeks to include municipalities in the False Claims Act. As the Senator for Rockville and Gaithersburg and as one of the Maryland Municipal League’s “Super Stars,” I wanted to ensure that Maryland’s cities and towns could prevent fraud and save taxpayer money, too! This bill has already passed the full Senate and will be considered in the House.

You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for photos and updates throughout the session, as well as fun and interesting events in District 17. Please check out my website to learn about Senatorial Scholarships, internship opportunities, and more! Any questions or comments can be directed to me via email.

Best,

Cheryl

Cheryl C. Kagan
State Senator, District 17
Rockville & Gaithersburg
Cheryl.Kagan@Senate.state.md.us
301/858-3134

P.S. Elections have consequences, but so do a President’s words… or silence. The ongoing spate of hate crimes across the country, including recent vandalism of headstones in a Jewish cemetery, is terrifying. The White House must speak out strongly against these threats!