Delegate Jon S. Cardin

The release of the Governor’s proposed budget has dominated the news this week. For all intents and purposes, the Governor retains full funding for both K-12 education (Maryland ranked #1 in the nation again this year) and higher education. He retains a required 5% ($635 million) rainy day fund and apportions $250 million for the school construction program. The budget continues to call for the furlough program for state employees in an effort to lay off fewer people. This year that layoff number begins around 200. I will write about my opinions on his proposal as the Legislature begins our discussions on cuts and adjustments that we intend to make.

Road and bicycle safety have always been a personal passion of mine. I know that this view is shared by many of my constituents who contact me about this subject. I will again be submitting legislation to the Maryland General Assembly to promote safer roads for all. With the support of the Department of Transportation, and no opposition or cost to this legislation, I am hopeful that 2010 is the year to make Maryland a safer place for bicyclists.

To that end, I would like to invite you to Annapolis on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm for the 13th Annual One Less Car Smart Transportation and Bicycling Symposium in Annapolis. The free event will be at 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, Maryland - Miller Building East. The Symposium will cover bicycle and pedestrian topics, as well as presentations on smart commuting/alternative transportation initiatives. Attendees and legislators will learn about the link that exists between our reliance on the automobile, climate change, public health concerns, land use planning, alternative transportation opportunities, livable communities and more. For more information, follow this link: www.onelesscar.org.

As you may know, with the help of my contractor, Neil Tabor and Ashley Homes, I recently built my nearly carbon neutral home with significant amount of energy saving applications and devices. Discovery Channel's "Renovation Nation" filmed part of the building of the home as part of their effort to demonstrate creative, environmentally conscious building. We in Maryland should be proud of our forward thinking in home improvement. I hope you can watch and enjoy Planet Green on Channel 113 on Comcast or Channel 168 on Verizon today (Thursday, January 21, 2010) at 6pm.

On Saturday, January 30, I will be supporting the Maryland Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge. I look forward to joining some of you in the water at Sandy Point State Park for this terrific annual event. For those not plunging, I would be honored if you contacted my office to learn how to sponsor the plunge.

I want to congratulate my 11th District colleague, Delegate Dana Stein, on a significant honor. Civic Works, a non-profit organization which he both founded in 1993 and serves as Executive Director, was selected by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Fellows Program as its AIM for Excellence Award winner for results achieved by its green programs. To learn more about the great community work Civic Works does in Baltimore go to www.civicworks.com. I continue to work with Dana, Sen. Bobby Zirkin and Del. Dan Morhaim on important issues in the 11th district.

I had the opportunity to meet with a number of groups this week to learn about my constituents’ views on important issues. It was great to meet with Baltimore County Seniors, State Law Enforcement Leaders, MANSEF parents, leaders of the construction industry, UMD medical students, auto dealers, and advocates for the blind.