Join Us in Annapolis on March 5
Delegates Barbara Frush, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, and I work hard to keep in touch with Beltsville residents and help you understand what Maryland's state government is doing and how it can help you and your family. We attend the Beltsville Civic Association and other community meetings, visit local churches and schools, and host "mobile office hours" at local grocery stores. Now we would like you to visit us in Annapolis at our annual reception for 21st District residents.
It is Monday evening, March 5 from 6–8 pm in rooms 170 & 180 of the Lowe House Building near the State House. We will have food, fellowship, and information on legislative issues of concern to our communities.
RSVP online at www.21stdistrictdelegation.com or call 301.858.3141 for details, questions, and information on parking. We will also have buses going from College Park and Laurel—contact our office, we will give you the information on this—and ride, don't drive! Share this invitation with friends and neighbors. We look forward to seeing you!
New Law Guarantees Sick Pay for Maryland Workers
Last year, the legislature voted to require employers with 15 or more employees to pay for at least five days of paid sick leave per year to their employees. It allows people who work 12 or more hours a week on a regular basis to earn paid sick days. The bill was vetoed by the governor, but we overrode the veto last month. The new law provides earned paid sick days to 488,000 Marylanders because their employers have 15 or more employees who currently face impossible choices between things like putting food on the table and staying home to care for a sick child. It provides job protection to another 205,000 Marylanders because they work for businesses with fewer than 15 employees who currently live in fear that they could lose their job if they get sick. They cannot be fired or have negative repercussions for taking unpaid sick or safe leave as allowed under the law if they have earned the time.
We expect the new law to go into effect later this year; the date was not clear when this issue of The Beltsville News went to press. In addition to helping Maryland workers, we also sought to make sure that it would not hurt small businesses. For FAQ, please visit www.SenatorJimRosapepe.com
Scholarships to College
Each senator and delegate is allocated funds for scholarships to students in our district who attend Maryland colleges, and there are so many deserving students in Beltsville. With college tuition a struggle for many families, we need to do everything we can to help hardworking students get a good education. We cannot help everyone with Senatorial Scholarships, but we can certainly help some.
To apply online for a 2018-2019 Senate Scholarship, students should visit www.21stdistrictdelegation.com/college-scholarships. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 13. A separate Delegate Scholarship application from Delegates Barbara Frush, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, and Ben Barnes is on the same website page with an April 2 due date.
Information on other financial aid for Maryland college students can be found at www.mhec.state.md.us.
Contact Us
Please let us know if there are other issues you have questions or thoughts about. Moreover, of course, feel free to be in touch if we can help you. Just email 21stDistrictDelegation@gmail.com or call 301.858.3141.