Past, Present And Future

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By Brian Chisholm
Delegate, District 31

The past 90 days encompassing my first legislative session as a Maryland state delegate were nothing short of invigorating. The session was filled with high energy, high expectation, high drama, high disappointments and the inevitable high costs. I felt as though I did a modestly good job of learning all the nuances, protocols, written rules, unwritten rules and who must follow them. Even more apparent was who breaks the rules and who makes the rules.

The somber final day of session was drenched with raw emotions and tears from so many. The collection of colleagues ranging from a novice freshman or aide to decades-old allied politicians or lifelong foes from the opposite party couldn’t escape the heavy air enveloping the State House. The passing of House Speaker Michael Busch the day prior was front and center on the minds and expressions of just about everyone I encountered. I had only met and spoken with the speaker a handful of times, and although we were often diametrically opposed on political policy, he consistently greeted me by first name and treated me with the utmost respect and class. I pray that God blesses members of the Busch family as they grieve over his passing.

Listed below are my thoughts on the bills that I believe matter most to our communities, county and state.

We worked to extend the state’s current prescription drug coverage for state retirees and their families with House Bill 98/Senate Bill 193. In the end, the governor’s initial legislation, which I co-sponsored, did not get passed, but a revision bill was created that will hopefully help these retirees access prescriptions affordably with Senate Bill 946.

I was in strong opposition to House Bill 166/Senate Bill 280, a minimum wage increase to $15 per hour. I rose in opposition on the floor to this bill. I strongly believe this bill will take the same Marylanders that we are trying to help and push them out of the market for gainful employment, education, experience and the possibility of future flourishment. I stood and expressed that we as fellow Marylanders should be proud that we are No. 1 in the country in minority-owned and women-owned small businesses. These are the people who risk their time, money and future to open businesses that create the jobs we so desperately need. These are the same jobs we decry are needed because they provide opportunities in areas that so often need them to fight poverty and hopelessness. Instead of thanking these courageous and brave minority- and women-owned businesses, we insist that some legislators in Annapolis know far better how to run their business. There is no doubt, no one can ever get their second job until they have had their first, and thus my biggest fear is that this legislation will deprive many citizens from ever getting that first job.

A Clean Energy Jobs Act (House Bill 1158) passed the last day of session. Despite the flashy good feelings the title portrays, this legislation has little to do with creating jobs in the state of Maryland. I think even the most optimistic environmentalist will tell you that it will drive up electricity bills significantly, which will have a devastating effect on the elderly and others with fixed incomes. I firmly believe there’s a time and place for many sources of clean energy, but when it is mandated by an overarching government and not the free market, it only stands to slow and deter that process.

I met so many good people with great intentions these past 90 days, but too often, intentions are far out of sync with the result. In the present, I am not too proud to say I could be wrong, but the past tells me I will be vindicated in the future if we continue to rely on government to solve all of our problems. God has made each of us as unique with a special set of talents and values. You are far more capable than you could ever imagine and yielding too much of your power to any government can only stand to diminish your own future.

In the end, I evaluated every piece of legislation presented with your best interests in mind. I confidently challenged any legislation I considered in opposition to your freedoms and ability to prosper. I was proud to stand in committee and on the State House floor knowing I represented you and your families.

Thank you and God bless.

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