Week 3 in Annapolis
Getting Right to Business
It’s our third week down in Annapolis, and we finally have gotten through a full week of business. We’ve introduced many bills ourselves and are preparing for our own committee hearings this coming week. This week and the coming weeks I will give a brief description of some of my bills in the end of the week updates. Starting with Senate Bill 349.
Senate Bill 349
Senate Bill 349, entitled State Prescription Drug Benefits – Retirees, intends to right a wrong that should not have happened. During Governor Martin O’Malley’s tenure in office, state employees who worked or began work prior to July 1, 2011 had their prescription drug benefits taken away from them. This was across the board from state police to workers in Annapolis to other state workers. Many who had been counting on the coverage for when they retired, had to find coverage elsewhere.
The State had no right to break a promise to these employees, who had worked hard and expected to be compensated in every way they were told. As such this bill will right this wrong and those former and current employees will be guaranteed their benefits as they should.
Gearing Up for What’s to Come
This past week I have been submitting the majority of my bills as they come in from bill drafting. It is slow right now as they are overwhelmed by the amount of bill requests right now. Our first bill hearing will be on January 31, 2024 for Senate Bill 407 on community college funding from the State.
Throughout this Session, I want to hear from you. I serve Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties and all of your voices are important to me. The best way to represent you is to have your voice heard. Please feel free to contact my Annapolis Office at (410) 841-3565 or my District Office at (240) 362-7040. My public email address is now mike.mckay@senate.state.md.us. Please feel free to email me at anytime. I also have a District Office at the Williamsport Town Hall. It is on the second floor in the first office. Our mailing address below remains the same however.