This bill is sponsored by the Governor’s Office and proposes three major reforms to make Maryland more competitive for these grant monies:

1. The probationary period before tenure for teachers is increased from two to three years.  There will be annual evaluations by local boards of education and a mentor may be assigned after the first year of teaching if the teacher needs assistance.  (41 states currently require three to five years of teaching experience prior to tenure.)
2. A framework would be required to incorporate student growth data to be included as a significant factor in teacher and principal evaluations.
3. To facilitate a more equitable distribution of highly effective teachers across all schools, stipends would be available to those highly effective teachers and principals who teach in the State’s lowest performing schools.

These are new proposals designed to help Maryland be competitive in the grants race and keep Maryland schools top rated for the future.

Based on the testimony, there does not appear to be a problem at this time in local and state wide elections, but this has been an issue on the national level.

Skilled and unskilled volunteers work together on projects of painting, carpentry, plumbing, cleaning, and gardening.   This program depends solely on the contributions of money, materials, equipment and labor by local companies, organizations, churches and individuals.  If you are looking for a place to make a difference, please consider Christmas in April.

I took my grandson, Bryce, and we both had spaghetti.  Bryce says that Joe’s Place is a “good restaurant.”

There is a severe shortage of homes in Charles County that are suitable for those with disabilities.  Hopefully, this will encourage groups to try to make more of this type of housing available.

The Farm Bureau urged the General Assembly to restore the nutrient management budget to meet the funding mandates of the 1998 Water Quality Improvement Act and to support the Chesapeake Bay Restoration effort.

Today 14 bills were scheduled and the hearing for three bills ran over one hour each:  HB176 –Student Information Availability to Military Recruiters; HB334 –  Physical Education Facilities; and HB1160 – Safe Schools Act of 2010.

The Visitors Guides do an excellent job in explaining the different elements of the state government and the roles of each chamber.  Students also get a chance to see the Maryland General Assembly Video, “The Legislative Process.”

Today the Assembly was honoring The Cat in the Hat who sponsors along with the Maryland State Education Association the annual “Read Across America.”

The breakfast was well attended by more than 300 people representing all the counties in the Fifth District.  Greetings were offered by Senator Benjamin Cardin and the Keynote Address was given by Valerie B. Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement.

This breakfast is an excellent wrap up to the other events that are throughout the month of February honoring Black History and keeps in our minds the accomplishments and achievements that Blacks have made to our nation.

I had a chance to talk with many of the business leaders, government officials, and Southern Maryland residents last night.  Everyone was enjoying the music, food, and opportunity to mingle and catch up with their friends and neighbors.

This bill requires a property sales contract to contain notice of the purchaser’s right to appeal the classification or valuation of the property by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) within 60 days of the sale if the property is transferred after January 1 but before July 1.    This could help owners who buy property that was assessed with the last three years and believe that the assessments are too high.

Census data are used to determine the number of representatives your state receives in the U.S. Congress, as well as your community’s representation in the state legislature.  The data are also used to distribute more than $400 Billion in federal funds each year to communities for establishing and improving schools, hospitals, roads and senior services.  Our state government and in some instances, county government and businesses also uses the census the same way to allocate services based on headcount or to verify how many people live in a given area.

Children have been undercounted in every census since the first one in 1790.  Please remember to include all your children – even babies when you complete the 2010 Census form.   All infants, children and adults who live in a household should be counted, regardless of nationality, citizenship status, race, age or gender.

This week the House of Delegates passed HB62 – Payment of Cost Differential – Nitrogen Removal Technology which clarifies the intent of the General Assembly that the difference in costs would be paid.  In effect it removes the language “if sufficient funds are available.” The bill will now cross over to the Senate for review.  I will be watching this measure closely as these provisions will affect many Charles County residents.

Before the ribbon cutting, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot warmly greeted the many Charles County officials and business owners who came to participate in the festivities. He emphasized the importance of this branch office to assist Charles County residents in completing their tax duty on time.  Any Maryland resident can bring in their federal tax forms for assistance and also have the branch office complete their state tax forms at no charge. He encouraged all those who qualify to take the Earned Income Tax credit that is available for 2010. Franchot has been a proponent for financial literacy among all citizens and is interested in financial literacy becoming part of the Maryland high school curriculum.

In attendance were Charles County Commissioners Wayne Cooper, Sam Graves, Rueben Collins, and Gary Hodge; as well as Sheriff Rex W. Coffey; Director of Administrative Services at the Sheriff’s Office Jack Hurd; Clerk of the Circuit Court Sharon Hancock; Stanley Trice of the Maryland Comptroller’s Office, and Orphan’s Court Judge Frank Lancaster.  Julie Vanderslice represented my office since I was in Annapolis.

This office is conveniently located at 1036 Saint Nicholas Dr., Suite 202, in Waldorf. It shares the same building as Avant-Garde Carpet and Floors behind the Charles Towne Plaza and across from the Saint Charles Towne Center Mall.

Ken Gould of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce presented the post with a plaque commemorating the re-opening.  It was nice to see the support that the veterans received from Sheriff Coffey, the Charles County Commissioners and numerous citizens.  The American Legion is very involved in our community and providing needed support; if you are looking for a venue for an event, please consider the post as it would help support the veterans and their works.

My thanks go to Joe Crawford who is the President of Habitat of Humanity of Charles County and Board Member Mike Philips who came to Annapolis to give oral testimony.  Additionally a letter of support was submitted by Beverly Deniston who both supports the Habitat cause and has purchased a home in the past.

The bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of bottles or cups containing Bisphenol-A that are intended to be used by a child under the age of 4 years.  This issue has been widely reported in the news and linked to possible birth defects.  I heard from several parents concerned that these products were allowed on the market.

This dinner is well attended each year and I also had discussions concerning social service issues with Brenda Donald, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, Delegate Sally Jameson, and Commissioner Sam Graves.

Because of the weather, both the Senate and the House extended their bill introduction deadlines.  The House deadline, originally February 12, was extended to February 18.