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2025 Laurel state spotlight

Posted on: January 12, 2025

The Maryland General Assembly is in session through April 7. Streetcar Suburbs Publishing asked our state representatives what they plan to work on. Their answers are in their own words.

Senator Jim Rosapepe (District 21)

James_Rosapepe
Courtesy of Jim Rosapepe

What are you most proud of from last year’s session? Bringing back state investment to Laurel for local schools, local roads and road safety, and MARC mass transit, and protecting parks. The delegates and I helped pass the law allowing speed cameras near stop signs at dangerous intersections and boosting enforcement against loud and dangerous driving. We also got $3,00,000 for the new Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center. 

What’s an opportunity the state legislature missed last session or an area where you hope to improve? Investing more in apprenticeships to create career opportunities for Laurel’s young people and reduce skills shortages for local businesses. This is particularly important for the Laurel Medical Center, other local health providers, federal contractors and construction firms. Making the tax system more fair for working families by closing tax loopholes for big corporations and the rich.

How do you anticipate that your work this session will change life for residents in your district specifically? The delegates and I are going to fight to protect state investment in local schools and roads and mitigate climate change. We are supporting legislative bond initiatives for the Laurel Boys and Girls Club, allowing them to make important facility improvements that will allow them to serve more youth in the community. 

Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (District 21)

Joseline-Pena-Melnyk
Courtesy ofJoseline Peña-Melnyk

What are you most proud of from last year’s session? Last session, I’m proud of key achievements that advanced health care and technology in Maryland. The Artificial Intelligence Governance Act established policies for state agencies’ use of AI, promoting transparency and oversight, while the Information Technology Modernization Act streamlined IT processes, ensuring efficiency and innovation. In health care, the Access to Care Act expanded health insurance access for Maryland residents, and Lochlin’s Law implemented life-saving sepsis protocols. Additionally, the Maryland Maternal Health Act strengthened maternal and infant health measures, while the establishment of Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs ensured better mental health care for those with severe mental illness. These initiatives reflect a commitment to improving lives across the state.

What’s an opportunity that the state legislature missed last session, or an area where you hope to do better? One missed opportunity was addressing prior authorizations and access to behavioral health care, particularly acute psychiatric services. Hospital overstays and the need for better oversight of behavioral health facilities remain concerns. Additionally, the Patient Accumulator Bill, which would allow patients to use manufacturer coupons and discounts regardless of deductibles, could have provided critical financial relief. Expanding pathways for licensing foreign-trained physicians is another area where progress is needed to address workforce shortages.

How do you anticipate that your work this session will change life for residents in your district specifically? This session, I will prioritize initiatives that directly benefit residents of College Park, Hyattsville and Laurel. Strengthening Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections will ensure continued coverage for preexisting conditions and essential health benefits, safeguarding affordable care for our community. To make medications more accessible, we will address cost-sharing for prescription drugs, reducing out-of-pocket expenses such as copayments and deductibles. Additionally, expanding the authority of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board will further our mission to lower prescription drug costs and keep essential medications affordable for all residents.

Expanding telehealth services is another key focus, as it improves healthcare access and equity, particularly for underserved populations. Together, these efforts aim to enhance healthcare access, affordability and innovation for the residents of District 21.

Delegate Mary A. Lehman (District 21)

MARY LEHMAN
Courtesy of MARY LEHMAN

What are you most proud of from last year’s session? I was proud to successfully pass our street racing bill which has already had an impact on dangerous activities across the state, alongside 4 others bills now officially signed into law. 

What’s an opportunity that the state legislature missed last session, or an area where you hope to do better?  The Maryland General Assembly only meets for a short 90 days a year, and considering the time frame I feel we have achieved an extraordinary amount of change through the 1,053 bills passed last session!

How do you anticipate that your work this session will change life for residents in your district specifically? We are currently working on passing a bill to resolve the housing crisis impacting backstretch workers on the Laurel racetrack which will hopefully provide adequate housing support, social services and medical care for this marginalized community. We are also looking to support local newspapers, provide benefits to first responders and dispatchers, and establish an online dashboard for the opioid restitution fund. And though these efforts are not exclusive to CP, Hyattsville or Laurel they will definitely improve the livelihoods of constituents in these districts as well. 

Delegate Ben Barnes did not respond to our inquiry as of press time. Some Laurel residents are in District 23, which includes South Laurel. District 23 representatives did not respond to our inquiry. Any additional submissions we receive this month will be published on our website. 

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