Delegate Jon S. Cardin

The highlight of the week in Annapolis was Governor Martin O'Malley delivering the State of the State address on Tuesday. I support the Governor's emphasis on job creation through leveraging Maryland's Innovation Economy. Harnessing the emerging life sciences, bio-tech, high-tech, clean-tech, green-tech and cyber-security technologies to form the engine of our economy into the next century is a recipe for creating long-term job opportunities for Maryland families.

It was also notable to learn recently that during the O'Malley-Brown Administration we have cut the budget by a total of $5.6 billion and cut 3,500 state positions in order to meet the fiscal challenges facing our state and our country. These significant savings demonstrate the commitment of the current administration and your elected representatives in the Maryland General Assembly to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and live within the spending affordability limits of our state.

I also wanted to draw attention to two bills I am sponsoring in support of military organizations based in our district. I am proud to say that these bills are co-sponsored in the House of Delegates by Delegate Dan Morhaim and Delegate Dana Stein and that the lead sponsor in the Senate is our Senator Bobby Zirkin.

The first bill is in support of the Maryland Defense Force which is headquartered in Pikesville. This civilian group of volunteers provides valuable support to the Maryland National Guard, especially when units from Maryland are deployed either out of state or overseas. To learn more about the organization follow this link http://mddf.maryland.gov/index.aspx.

The other bill is in support of Jewish War Veterans Organizations to ensure that they receive equal tax treatment under Maryland law as other veterans' organizations. To learn more about their activities follow this link http://jwv-md.us/167.htm.

I want to strongly encourage you to learn about the energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly cars of tomorrow by seeing Michael Granoff speak at Towson University on February 8 at 7:00pm in the College of Liberal Arts Building (CLA) Room 4110. Michael Granoff is an energy innovator who is working to create Israel's nationwide infrastructure for electric cars. Thank you to the event sponsors: the Baltimore Hebrew Institute and Baltimore Zionist District. Michael and I went to college together at Tufts University and his organization is doing amazing work. To RSVP and for more information on cost and free parking please call Michelle Taylor 410-704-7118 or email mtaylor@towson.edu.

On Saturday, January 30, I participated in the Maryland Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge. It was snowy and cold but that just added to the festive atmosphere. I want to especially recognize the Maryland State Police officers and their families for all of the volunteer efforts that help make this annual event a huge success for the Special Olympics.

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 the Maryland Nurses Association, Catholic Charities, the Maryland Amusement and Music Operators, podiatrists, and AAA.

Finally, at the end of the month, I will be hosting a group of 10 Japanese legislators coming to Maryland, among other states, to learn about our governmental procedures. This group is part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, a bi-partisan 501(C)(3) partially funded by a grant from the Department of State. I look forward to their visit to Annapolis.