Delegate Jon S. Cardin

Thursday was my busiest day of the 2010 legislative session thus far. I had four bills before the Ways and Means Committee. Two bills were in support of military groups in the 11th District. The other two were to promote the health of Maryland citizens.

The first bill supports the members of the Maryland Defense Force, which is headquartered in Pikesville, with a tax deduction. This civil group of volunteers assists and supplements the Maryland National Guard. Its work is particularly important when units from Maryland are deployed either out of state or overseas. The second bill, cross-filed by Sen. Bobby Zirkin, ensures that the Jewish War Veterans Organizations receive equal tax treatment under Maryland law as other veterans' organizations. The attributes of both items of legislation appear to resonate well in my committee.

The Health and Fitness Act of 2010 encourages Marylanders to improve their personal health. We all know the old saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." In these days of ever increasing health costs and ever tightening state and personal budgets, maintaining health is a critical part of reducing the cost of health care in our state and nation. President Obama has made healthcare a priority. This bill does just that. With ever-increasing healthcare costs because of obesity, diabetes and other ailments, the Coalition for a Healthy Maryland, a group of businesses, government agencies, individuals and organizations, says that we cannot afford to do nothing.

Finally, I proposed legislation to encourage military medical personnel to transition into workforce shortage areas in civilian life through a military pension exclusion. There is a shortage of trained medical technicians in our country and Maryland wants to attract these skilled people to work in our state. This bill will do just that.

With the continuing economic difficulties being faced by some in our community, I thought it was important to highlight an event for constituents concerned about the possibility of home foreclosure and other mortgage issues. You are invited to a public information session to be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at the Randallstown Community Center, 3505 Resource Drive.

Representatives from government agencies and non-profit organizations will be on hand at the event, sponsored by the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation. Representatives from Fannie Mae will discuss foreclosure solutions for homeowners. Representatives from the Federal Housing Administration will discuss federal government mortgage workout solutions.

The We Are Family Community Development Corporation will discuss pro-active steps in avoiding foreclosure, ways to intervene in the foreclosure process and the role of the housing counselor. The Community Law Center will offer guidance on how to avoid foreclosure scams and financial literacy.

I enjoyed visiting this week with constituents from the Baltimore Jewish Council's Advocacy Night, Maryland Bankers Association, Leadership Baltimore County, UMB Social Work students, and attending the MPILP Auction at UMB Law.