Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 2002. Member of the Senate since 2003.

Current Assignments

2013- Minority Leader

2013- Finance Committee

2007- Rules Committee

2007- Executive Nominations Committee

2007- Legislative Policy Committee

2007- Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)

2004- Joint Audit Committee

2008- Joint Committee on Spending Affordability

2011- Special Joint Committee on Pensions

2013- Tax Credit Evaluation Committee

2007- Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 2, Carroll and Frederick Counties

Past Senate Service

Minority Whip, 2010-2011; Budget and Taxation Committee, 2003-2013; Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2011-2013; Pensions Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2011-2013; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2007-2010; Minority Leader, 2007-2008; Spending Affordability Committee, 2007-2008; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2003-2008; Joint Commission on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007.

Past House Service 1995-2003

Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1999-2003; Commerce and Government Matters Committee: State Government, 1995-2003; Financial Institutions Subcommittee of the Commerce and Government Matters Subcommittee, 1995-2003; State Government and Procurement Subcommittee of the Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1995-2003; Chair, State Government and Procurement Subcommittee of the Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1998; Deputy Minority Whip, 1997-1998.

Public Service

Maryland Medical Marijuana Model Program Work Group, 2011-2012; Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal, 2011; Chair, Task Force to Study Statewide Gypsy Moth Infestation, 2008-2009; Agriculture and Energy Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2008-; Environment Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2008-; Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Agriculture, Environment, and Energy Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2007-2008; Transit Funding Study Steering Committee, 2006-2007; Maryland Dairy Industry Oversight and Advisory Council, 2006-; Agricultural Stewardship Commission, 2005-2006; Senate Special Commission of Electric Utility Deregulation Implementation, 2005-2006; Task Force on the Exemption of Law Enforcement Officers’ Pensions from Taxation, 2004-2005; Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness, 2003-; Task Force to Study the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, 2003; Transportation Task Force, 2003; Task Force to Study the Modernization of Credit Union Law, 1999-2001; Task Force to Study Bank Charter Modernization, 1997-1998; Vice Chair, Frederick County Republican Central Committee, 1990-1994; Financial Services Committee, National Conference of State Legislators.

Memberships

Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2004-; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, 2003-; Special Prospects Committee, Frederick Memorial Hospital Development Council, 2000-; Order of the Good Samaritan, Frederick Memorial Hospital Development Council, 2000-; Planned Gifts Committee, Frederick Memorial Hospital Development Council, 1989-2000; Board of Associates, Community Foundation of Frederick County, Maryland, 1991-1994; Western Maryland Chapter, Society of Financial Service Professionals; American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters and Chartered Financial Consultants; Charter Member, Estate Planning Council of Frederick County, Maryland (Former President).

Biographical Information

Born, Frederick, Maryland, September 24, 1959; Linganore Junior-Senior High School, 1977; Gettysburg College; The American College (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania); University of Maryland College Park, B.A., Government and Politics, 1981; Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant (CLU, ChFC), 1985; Advanced Life Support Unit (EMT Driver) , New Market District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 1983-86; EMT and Firefighter, New Market District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 1981-1986; Insurance/ Estate and Financial Planner; 2 Children.