Dear Friend:

This was a tough, often nasty, legislative session, but it included some notable accomplishments. Here are a few of the highlights:

Budget. The General Assembly approved a balanced budget of $26 billion for 2006 that avoids new taxes and slot machines. The budget includes a record increase of $400 million for K through 12 education as well as $43 million in new money for the University System of Maryland. The final budget provided $73 million more in open space funding than the Governor had originally proposed.

Teen Driving. Spurred by a rash of teen driving deaths in the Washington area, the General Assembly enacted a package of bills to reduce risks for younger drivers. Among the measures was a bill I developed prohibiting drivers under age 18 from using cell phones. Other legislation bars minors with provisional licenses from carrying unrelated passengers under 18, increases the amount of supervised driving required for a provisional license, and lengthens the time a person must hold a learner's permit before upgrading to a provisional license.

The Environment. Two significant pieces of environmental legislation won approval this session. One, introduced in response to an Administration plan last year to sell 836 acres of open space to a developer, is a constitutional amendment I wrote requiring legislative approval prior to the sale of environmentally sensitive State land. The amendment requires ratification by the Maryland voters and will be on the 2006 ballot.

Another environmental bill of note was a response to the Department of Natural Resources' plans to introduce nonnative oysters into the Chesapeake Bay. The bill requires compliance with research recommendations of the National Research Council and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Bay Program prior to introduction. The legislation won support from the scientific community and Bay advocates who were concerned about DNR's apparent determination to introduce foreign oysters without adequately researching possible effects.

Medical Matters. Legislation passed increasing health care access for low income citizens and providing prescription drug coverage for people with family incomes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Other legislation made technical corrections in the medical malpractice insurance bill passed during the special session last December. The special session bill--which I took the Senate lead in developing--limits increases in medical malpractice insurance premiums this year and puts measures in place that should bring long-term stability to malpractice insurance rates. Also winning approval is a measure that allows unrelated individuals to make medical decisions for each other.

Judicial Proceedings Committee. The chairmanship of the Judicial Proceedings Committee continues to keep me busy. This year the committee considered nearly 400 pieces of legislation. High profile bills included measures strengthening State laws against witness intimidation and expanding Maryland's hate crime protections to cover people victimized because of their sexual orientation.

Two things you should watch for in coming months. First, the General Assembly will likely undertake an investigation into the Ehrlich Administration's use of the State personnel system. Concerns about mismanagement of such basics as transportation and the foster care system have been fueled by reports that the Administration has purged skilled career employees to make way for political cronies. The fallout could be significant.

Second, keep an eye on political developments. U.S. Senator Sarbanes' decision to retire will stir things up throughout the State. Congressman Benjamin Cardin has declared for the U.S. Senate, which will likely lead to a primary battle to succeed him between two Committee chairs in Annapolis: Paula Hollinger and Maggie McIntosh. If Chris Van Hollen declares for the Senate seat, a number of my colleagues and I will look hard at the race to succeed him.

I deeply appreciate hearing from those of you who have taken the time to contact me about the issues that confront Maryland. Your perspectives are invaluable.

All the best,
Brian Frosh