“When Maryland faces an issue, it’s Democrats who deliver solutions for our state.”
MARYLAND — Today, April 13th, Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis released the following statement after the Maryland General Assembly ended the 2021 legislative session sine die. The successful session delivered results for the people of Maryland, and made significant investments in our state’s future.
“Maryland Democrats showed why we sent them to Annapolis — they delivered real results for Marylanders by investing in education, providing COVID-19 relief, improving police accountability, and protecting voting rights. It has been an extraordinarily successful session, despite meritless vetoes and political obstruction from Governor Hogan.
“The session included two historic investments in education: the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a bill opposed by Governor Hogan, that will invest billions in education funding across our state, and HB 1/SB 1 which allocated $500 million in funding for Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These two bills, both of which are now law, will ensure that every Marylander can receive a world class education, and that our state continues to lead the nation.
“As the American Rescue Plan made its way through Congress, lawmakers took decisive action to help those hard hit by the pandemic and passed the RELIEF Act — sending direct payments to Marylanders who needed it, and providing critical relief to struggling small businesses.
“The COVID-19 pandemic also showed that voting can be made more accessible and easier across our country. With ballot drop boxes and absentee voting, Maryland saw a historic voter turnout in 2020. As many states rolled back voting rights, Democrats in the Maryland General Assembly expanded them. HB745 and SB683 ensure that our state will have more early voting centers, expanded ballot dropboxes, and that absentee voting is easier and more secure than ever before — all while promoting equitable voting access.
“In the closing weeks of the session, Democrats delivered on a key promise — comprehensive police reform. The five bills passed included key provisions to curb the improper use of force, require body cameras on all police officers, allow misconduct allegations to be publicly accessible, and ensure that warrants aren’t executed in a reckless manner. The legislation made Maryland the first state in the nation to repeal its “Law Enforcement Bill of Rights.” Thanks to the action of Democrats, Marylanders will be safer, and we can begin to restore trust between law enforcement and our communities.
“Despite Governor Hogan’s vetoes of these critically important policing bills, the General Assembly overrode his vetoes within two days, once more delivering results for Marylanders.
“A huge thank you to House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, and Senate President Bill Ferguson for their tireless efforts on behalf of our state. They once again showed that when Maryland faces an issue, it’s Democrats who deliver solutions for our state.”
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