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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The time has come for our return in person to the Maryland State Capitol. We’re just hours away from our kick-off meeting in the House Judiciary Hearing Room at 8AM January 18, 2024.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m attaching the Legislative Priorities Fact Sheets. In addition, below is some additional information that may be useful to you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Accessible Voting<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The lead sponsor in the Senate is Senator Benjamin Brooks.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The lead sponsor in the House is Delegate Jessica Feldmark.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill has not yet been released from Bill Drafting, so there is no number yet. Thus, we can get cosponsors now, and those interested in cosponsoring should reach out to either Senator Brooks or Delegate Feldmark.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill will be heard by the Senate Triple E Committee (Education, Energy, and Environment ) – the fourth E for Elections is silent.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill will be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Better Bus Services Act<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The lead sponsor in the House is Delegate Robbyn Lewis.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The lead sponsor in the Senate is Senate Ariana Kelly.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill has not yet been released from Bill Drafting, so there is no number yet. Thus, we can get cosponsors now, and those interested in cosponsoring should reach out to either Senator Kelly or Delegate Lewis.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill will be heard by the Judicial Procedings (JPR) Committee in the Senate.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill will be heard by the Environment and Transportation (E&T) in the House.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Textbook Equity Act<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The lead sponsor in the Senate is Senator Ron Watson.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The lead sponsor in the House is Delegate Denise Roberts.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill has not yet been released from Bill Drafting, so there is no number yet. Thus, we can get cosponsors now, and those interested in cosponsoring should reach out to either Senator Watson or Delegate Roberts.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill will be heard by the Senate Triple E Committee (Education, Energy, and Environment ). <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The bill will be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Access<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>This is not a bill, so there are no sponsors.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The Governor’s proposed budget was just released this afternoon, and we are awaiting confirmation that the $250,000 appropriation is in the budget.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The Senate committee with jurisdiction is the Budget & Tax Committee.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>The House committee with jurisdiction is the Appropriations Committee.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In terms of activities, please remember:<o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Those available to join me at the State House to meet with the Speaker of the House should arrive by 11:25 in order to have time to get through security.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Those available to come to the photo op with Senator Muse should be outside of the Senate JPR Committee Room (2 East Miller) by 12:40. He thinks it’s a photo op, but we know better.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Those available to join me at the State House to meet with the Senate President can walk over with me from the Muse photo op.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In addition, the tunnels connecting the House and Senate have reopened, so there is no need to go outside to get between the chambers. The Cantina is in the basement of the Senate, and you can purchase both hot and cold food. The tunnels to the State House are still closed for construction though, so we have to walk outside to get back and forth from either chamber to the State House.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Vans will leave the Center and the New Carrollton Metro Station at 6:45AM (so if you’re up late reading this, go to bed). We expect to return by 8PM. We’ll meet for dinner and debriefing at Buddy’s. Don’t forget your $25 for dinner.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you need anything while at the General Assembly, call or text (text is preferred) me at 708-829-0523. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m so excited about our 2024 legislative efforts, and it’s going to be a fabulous year!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ronza<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>