Members of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Frederick program learned firsthand about the legislative process during their State Government Day in Annapolis on Friday, February 26. The Chamber and Delegate Sue Hecht partnered in this effort.
The State Government Day gives the participants a real insight into how the General Assembly and the state legislative process work. It allows them to observe and participate in as many facets of the process as possible. This is the third year that the Chamber has brought program participants to Annapolis to see their State Government in action.
With the 2010 General Assembly Session well underway, Delegate Hecht has been in the news for her many legislative initiatives.
Here’s what local papers are saying about her leadership:
To provide consumers with more education on their electric and gas energy choices, Delegate Hecht has recently introduced two bills. The House Economic Matters Committee will hold hearings on both bills in March.
Click here to read a full article and an editorial supporting this legislation.
Delegate Sue Hecht and Middletown resident Amanda Braeuninger spoke out for greater solar energy use during a press conference on February 16 in Annapolis.
Committee hearings in Annapolis have begun for five energy-related bills introduced by Delegate Sue Hecht during the 2010 legislative session. The proposed legislation would promote clean and affordable energy, while providing residential and business consumers with comprehensive information on their options.
Over a three-week period that began on February 23, House of Delegate Economic Matters Committee members will hear testimony on the proposed legislation from consumers, lawmakers, and industry and government officials.
Provisions in these five bills sponsored by Delegate Hecht would:
- Create clean energy loans that make solar power affordable to homeowners and small businesses
- Require utilities to pay customers for excess power they generate from solar panels or other on-site facilities
- Provide consumers with choices on energy options
- Require the State Public Service Commission to educate consumers about the choices they have to buy electricity and gas from several competing suppliers, potentially lowering costs
- Have utilities offer call centers for consumers so they can learn more about their energy supplier choices
- Allow consumers to sign up for a 2-month introductory period with a 10% discount from an energy supplier with the option to go back to their original utility provider at the end of that period
To learn more about these bills and other legislation proposed by Delegate Hecht, go to the Current Legislation box on the homepage and click to get more information.
Delegate Sue Hecht, a leading proponent of clean energy, has taken a major leadership role in the growth of the Green Caucus. This caucus brings together legislators and advocacy leaders from energy and environment groups who share a common concern regarding ongoing issues in the fields of green energy, green jobs and the environment.
“The Caucus allows us to most effectively work together to promote and coordinate legislation before the General Assembly. Our meetings provide us a chance to hear from experts on complex environmental and clean energy issues and to create a network for pursuing possible solutions,” Delegate Hecht stated. “To achieve the best results, the Caucus works with industry and environmental advocacy groups in a collaborative manner.”
The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration and Governor O’Malley’s legislative aide for energy presented the Governor’s energy bills at the first Caucus meeting in January. Upcoming meetings will focus on other key issues before the General Assembly.
To learn more about the Green Caucus, contact Veronica Henry in Delegate Hecht’s office at 410-841-3472.
The Maryland House of Delegates formally recognized members of Frederick’s Tuscarora High School Girls Soccer team and honored them for winning the 2009 3A State Title. Delegate Sue Hecht, who arranged the tribute in Annapolis, introduced the three Tuscarora team captains on the floor of the House of Delegates while the other players and coaches proudly watched from the House Gallery. The House presented the team with a resolution of congratulations.
“This is an outstanding group of young women and a tremendous soccer program. The Tuscarora High School Girls Soccer team has won three state championships in the short six-year history of the program, reflecting on the mission of the program of valuing excellence in all endeavors,” Delegate Hecht said. “It was an honor to bring the team and their coaches to Annapolis to honor them. All of us are very proud of each team member for their achievements on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”
Delegate Sue Hecht has again asked the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to manage and award the legislative scholarship funds allocated to her District 3A office for the 2010-2011 academic year. The deadline for submitting applications is March 1, 2010.
“Rather than awarding scholarships directly through my office, I think it is more appropriate to have an educational agency independent of the political process make these very important decisions,” said Delegate Hecht. “I appreciate the hard work of the MHEC’s Office of Student Financial Assistance in reviewing applications and selecting recipients from our District.”
Applicants will need to complete only one application-the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at school guidance or financial aid offices. To get more information on the FAFSA application process, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
If you want to learn more about the Delegate Scholarship program and eligibility, visit the Maryland Higher Education web site at www.mhec.state.md.us and do a search for the Delegate Scholarship Program. If you have any questions, please contact Sue Koch at the Maryland Higher Education Commission at (410) 260-4548 or email her at skoch@mhec.state.md.us. Please let her know that you are a resident of District 3A.
With the 2000 murder of 9-year old Christopher Ausherman ever on her mind, Delegate Sue Hecht is urging fellow Maryland lawmakers to again consider action during this General Assembly session on the civil commitment of violent sexual offenders.
“The recent death of an 11-year old girl in Wicomico County on the Eastern Shore should alert all elected officials to the need for civil commitment of violent child sexual predators,” Delegate Hecht said. She pointed to acceptance of this concept in other states and the U. S. Supreme Court’s upholding of a Kansas state law on civil commitment for similar offenses.
Under legislation proposed by Delegate Hecht prior to Christopher Ausherman’s murder, the state would evaluate whether persons convicted of a violent child sexual offense still poses a risk at the time of their release from prison. That legislation failed and Delegate Hecht says it is time to make some changes in the current law.
“At the very least, we need to talk about this issue and try to bring some further protections during this legislative session. I don’t know how many more children have to lose their lives before we act.”
Webmaster's note: This matter was covered by the Frederick News Post on January 19, 2010.
As the 2010 Maryland General Assembly begins its legislative year, the Speaker of the House of Delegates has appointed Delegate Hecht as one of the Deputy Majority Whips. In this position, Delegate Hecht will work closely with the Speaker and other leaders on guiding critical legislation through the House. She joins 10 other delegates named to this leadership team on January 14, 2010.
“As key bills move the legislative process, the Speaker brings this leadership team together to discuss the bills and develop strategies for successful passage. I am honored to be again named as part of this team,” Hecht stated.
Delegate Hecht brings a lot of experience to this post. She previously served as a Deputy Majority Whip from 1998-2003.
Governor Martin O’Malley joined state and local officials and many business leaders at the official opening of the new major interchange linking I-70 and downtown Frederick. Delegate Sue Hecht joined the Governor at the December 14 ceremony and called this a significant step in making Frederick more accessible to visitors, business, and residents.
The $107 million project includes a new interchange at Buckeystown Pike/East Street and an extension of East Street. This will make it safer and easier to access downtown Frederick and the MARC train station.
“We have worked towards this day for many years,” Delegate Hecht said. “This gateway promises to enhance Frederick’s economic health by supporting the Bio-Technology Corridor, opening up our downtown business district and attracting even more visitors to our historic and beautiful city. It also will reduce traffic congestion, improving the quality of life for residents. It is truly a win-win for everyone.”
As part of her strong commitment to promoting renewable energy use, Delegate Sue Hecht participated in a major conference on affordable solar energy. During the December 2009 conference held in Gaithersburg, she met with state and national leaders in the field, including Dr. John Byrne, the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work with Al Gore on Climate Change.
Delegate Hecht plans to sponsor legislation aimed at promoting renewable energy use during the 2010 General Assembly.
