By Maryland Senator Roy Dyson
This past election brought enormous change not only nationally, but also at the state and local levels.
I’ve tried to thank as many people as possible for re-electing me to another term to the Maryland Senate. I pledge I will continue to do my very best to serve you with honesty and dignity. Thanks again to all who supported my re-election by either volunteering, putting up a yard sign, hosting a fundraiser and most importantly, casting a vote for me.
The 2007 General Assembly Session and Annapolis in general will be much different than it has in year’s past. We will have a new governor in Baltimore City Mayor Martin O’Malley; a new Comptroller in Delegate Peter Franchot and a new Attorney General in Montgomery County State’s Attorney Doug Gansler.
Governor-Elect O’Malley replaces Governor Ehrlich; Comptroller-Elect Franchot replaces a longtime, public servant in William Donald Schaefer and Attorney General-Elect Gansler replaces another great public servant and friend in J. Joseph Curran.
Both Governor/Comptroller Schaefer and Attorney General Curran over their long years in elected office never once had their integrity questioned and they both leave office with my deepest respect and admiration. I also thank Governor Ehrlich for his service to our state.
The Inauguration of Governor O’Malley will be on January 17; I am hearing that the Attorney General will be sworn in by Governor Ehrlich on January 2, according to Article V, Section 2 of the Maryland Constitution. According to Article VI, Section 5 of the Maryland Constitution, the new Comptroller will be sworn in on the third Monday of January or as soon as possible thereafter. Because the third Monday of January falls on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s holiday, I assume it will be a few days after that hallowed day.
The Senate will be different than it has in the past as it welcomes in 11 new members. There will be a change for me as well as I have been promoted to Vice Chair of my standing committee the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee.
I am humbled by this promotion, but pleased also for the constituents I am proud to serve because having a leadership position in Annapolis is good for the region I represent.
Soon, the 2007 General Assembly Session, which begins on January 10 will be underway. I am looking forward to working with not only the 11 new Senators, but also the 36 new delegates who will be coming into the House.
I am very pleased to represent Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. St. Mary’s and Charles counties have already presented their legislative packages and Calvert will do so soon. I am currently reviewing these packages and will report to you on important bills that will be sent up to Annapolis for review and hopefully passage by my peers in the General Assembly.
I am also getting a number of requests for bond bills from all three counties. Bond bills are way charitable and non-profit groups get state money for worthy projects. Examples of this include among others, funding for the Calvert and St. Mary’s Hospice houses, the Calvert United Way, the St. Clement’s Island lighthouse project, the Old Carver Heights Save the Village project, the Summerseat Sanctuary in St. Mary’s and numerous others that have greatly benefitted our area.