Dear Friends:
Happy New Year and welcome to a year which should surely be better than the last. With Barack Obama replacing George Bush, even with the faltering economy, the year is bound to improve tremendously.
I wanted to share some upcoming events and thoughts as we start the New Year, a new presidency, and the upcoming legislative session.
Paul
Jan. 19: Annapolis Reception - Food, Friendship & Celebration
There’s surely a lot to celebrate: Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and vision, the inauguration of Barack Obama, and the 22nd District’s legislative efforts.
I’d like to invite you and your family and friends to join the three delegates and myself – as our guests -- for our 4th annual reception at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19. There will be plenty of food, interesting people, and (hopefully) interesting comments from us – and maybe even some surprise guests.
If you choose not to drive, bus transportation is available (on a space available basis) from the Greenbelt Library for a fee of $10. The bus will depart
Please RSVP to Pam Powers, 301-858-3058 or ppowers@house.state.md.us. More questions? Call 301-858-3155.
Election Day Reflections
Moving from election day to inauguration day has seemed interminable. Who wants to live with George Bush and his cronies any longer than we have to? The people spoke on election day. Why make us suffer. Sure, there’s the constitution, but, come on.
Anyway, I was asked to contribute a few words to a compilation of Election Day reflections on Barack Obama’s election. The longer article was edited by and included a preface by District 22’s own Cam McQueen (
Cathartic is not a term I would usually use when talking about elections. In fact, politics and catharsis aren’t usually spoken in the same breath. But this election day was different. People described voting as a life-changing experience: some revealed voting for the first time in twenty-years while others broke down in tears after touching a screen next to the name Barack Obama. Although clearly evident among African-American voters that Tuesday, it was also true among many white voters, particularly the young.
There was a pride in the people standing in lines before polls opened and leaving the polls that showed looks of satisfaction that went beyond, “I voted; I did my duty.” It was a feeling of “I’m proud to be able to vote today. This day. For this candidate.” Even with the polls showing a likely victory, in fact, a quiet skepticism still lingered as to his actual election, even with the polling projections. Many voters, far sure of victory, were proud just to be able to have the opportunity to cast a vote for Obama.
Watching the results later election night and knowing that when key states came in, Obama would prevail still didn’t allow many people to exhale. It was only when Obama was declared the next president that people jumped, cheered, wept and hugged. The lingering doubts were swept away in a type of deep euphoria, rarely seen. It was truly a satisfying night.
Loophole Fever
Major Maryland corporations are currently handing CEOs pay packages hundreds of times larger than what average Marylanders make — and deducting this outlandish pay off their taxes.
How can they do that?
Even worse, the state legislature’s Budget and Tax Committee has refused efforts by Senator Paul Pinsky to close this gaping loophole! Thanks to this executive pay loophole and many others, close to half of major
The most brazen of these loopholes: Corporations are simply incorporating subsidiaries in other states to avoid
This loophole can be closed. A reform called “combined reporting” would, if enacted, force firms to pay their fair tax share in states where they do business.
Scholarship Opportunities
Are you or one of your children expecting to attend a
If you live in the 22nd district – the communities of
These scholarships usually range from $400 to 2,000 for each of four years. If you’d like an application, please either call my
Staffing Update
As I mentioned in the last email newsletter, Pamela Shurkin accepted a new position and has moved on from my office after four years. Pam is the Director of Government Relations and Public Policy at the Baltimore Jewish Council. She will still be in Annapolis working on public policy issues for our state. I know she would love to keep in touch, so please update your address books with her new contact information. You can reach Pam at pshurkin@baltjc.org or 410-542-4850.
I'd also like to welcome our newest staff member, Ian Ullman. Ian is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, where he specialized in Environmental Law. His recent experience includes work for the House of Representatives and the Environmental Protection Agency. Ian is married and expecting his first child in April. I am happy to have him as a part of my team.
Expanding E-Horizons
As always, I encourage you to send this e-mail on to others. And, be sure to check out our website. Simply click here: www.senatorpinsky.org.
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