Comcast Newsmakers: Delegate Stein’s Update on District 11

District 11 Update – Dana Stein

http://comcastnewsmakers.com/2017/01/12/district-11-update-2/

Disappointment in Governor’s Veto of Clean Energy Jobs Bill

I and many others were very disappointed that Governor Hogan vetoed the bill revising the renewable energy portfolio standards (SB921/HB1106) and providing for jobs in the clean energy sector. Below are excerpts from an article published on May 31 in  ClimateWire on the “whiplash” this veto caused:

Maryland’s Republican governor Friday gave his state’s climate policy supporters a case of whiplash, vetoing renewable portfolio standard legislation two months after he signed into law one of the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets in the nation. 

State Sen. Paul Pinsky (D), who sponsored the measure and sits on the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, said “there’s a fair chance” the Maryland General Assembly could override the veto when it reconvenes in January.
The move was disappointing to those who had seen Gov. Larry Hogan’s enactment of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2016 as a sign of tacit support for Democrat-led strategies to cut carbon dioxide emissions. . . .

Maryland Del. Dana Stein (D), who also sits on the state climate commission, said increasing the renewable portfolio standard was central to the state’s ability to meet its greenhouse gas reduction target.

“Can it hypothetically be achieved without the RPS? It’s certainly possible, but it’ll be a challenge using all the available tools to get to 40 percent,” Stein said. “Taking one of the key tools out means the challenge is even greater.”

You can read the full article at http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/05/31/stories/1060038053    Although you do have to have a subscription to ClimateWire, you can sign up for a trial subscription.

Legislation Spotlight: HB 231 Eliminating Financial Aid “Award Displacement”

House Bill 231: Public Institutions of Higher Education – Financial Aid – Reduction Prohibited

This bill would prohibit public colleges and universities from engaging in the practice of “award displacement.” This happens when enterprising students get financial aid from private scholarship groups such as Central Scholarship, a wonderful non-profit based in Owings Mills, after they’ve been awarded institutional aid by their college. Many students need to get financial aid from such groups to make college affordable.

Unfortunately, some Maryland colleges reduce their institutional aid to students by the amount of new aid that students have obtained. This practice is a misuse of private donor funds, will discourage giving, and is unfair to the student. My House Bill 231 would prohibit such award displacement when a student’s “financial need” has not been met.

Bike Maryland Promotes Safety

I enjoyed meeting with Councilwoman Vicki Almond, District 11 Constituents from Bike Maryland, and these enthusiastic young people from Baltimore Youth Cycling about HB 214, which would require a cars to maintain a 3-foot distance from cyclists on all roads in Maryland, and if they can’t, to slow down while passing cyclists.

Baltimore Zionist District’s Brandeis Gala

I had the honor of meeting Israeli Lt. General Benjamin Gantz last night at the Baltimore Zionist District’s Brandeis Gala at Beth Tfiloh.  BZD honored General Gantz with its Justice Louis D. Brandeis award and also honored Laurie and Kevin Luskin.  Pictured in the photo with me is General Gantz and Cong. Chris Van Hollen, who also attended the event.