Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2006. Member of the House, 2007 - 2015. First elected to the Maryland Senate in 2014. Member of the Senate since 2015.

Current Assignments

2015 Budget and Taxation Committee

2015 Health and Human Services Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee

2015 Pensions Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee

2015 Joint Audit Committee, Senate Chair

2015 Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review

2015 Joint Committee on Pensions

2015 Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 5, Howard County

Past Senate Service

Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, 2015-2016.

Past House Service

Deputy Majority Whip, 2011-2014; Appropriations Committee, 2007-2014; Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee, 2007-2014; Chair, Public Safety and Administration Sucommittee, 2013-2014; Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2013-2014; Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2009-2013; Health and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2007-2008; House Chair, Joint Audit Committee, 2011-2014; Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, 2011-2014; House Chair, Howard County House Delegation, 2011-2014; House Chair, Howard County Delegation, 2008-2010; House Emergency Medical Services System Workgroup, 2009-2014; House Regional Revitalization Workgroup, 2013-2014.

Public Service

Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2016-; Board of Directors, Maryland School for the Blind, 2016-; Maryland Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, 2016-; Early Childhood Education Action Group, 2015-; Central Maryland Transit Study Group, 2014-; Task Force to Study Implementing a Civil Right to Counsel in Maryland, 2013-2014; P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland, 2010-2015; State Interagency Coordinating Council [for Infants & Toddlers], 2010; Girls' Services Strategic Plan Task Force, Dept of Juvenile Services, 2010; Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Retiree Health-Care Funding Options, 2007-2009; Interagency Steering Committee for Managing for Results, 2008-; Presidential Elector, Maryland, 2008; Howard County Tourism Board, 2007-; Chair, County Executive-elect Transition Team, Howard County, 2006; Chair, Zoning Board, County Council, Howard County, 2006, 2000; County Council, Howard County, representing Councilmanic District 3, 1998-2006; Chair, County Council, Howard County, 2003-2005, 2001; Board of Trustees, Chesapeake Bay Trust, 1999-2003; State Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Commission, 2000-2002; Maryland Air Quality Control Advisory Council, 1997-2002; Steering Committee, Governor's Smart Codes Strategy Group, 1999; Rural Legacy Technical Review Group, Department of Natural Resources, 1997.

Memberships

Advisory Board, Even-Start Family Literacy Program, 2005-2007; Volunteer, NeighborRide, 2006-; Board of Directors, Community Action Council of Howard County, Maryland, Inc., 2002-2005; Legislative Committee, Maryland Association of Counties, 1998-2002; Chair, Board of Directors, Kings Contrivance Village, Columbia, Maryland, 1995-1998; Board of Directors, Kings Contrivance Village, Columbia, Maryland, 1994-1998.

Awards

Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award, Arc of Maryland, 2016, 2015; Legislative Superhero Award, Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland, 2016; Legislative Champion Award, Maryland Association of Community Services, 2015, 2014; Legislative Award, Arc of Maryland, 2014; Public Service Award, Arc of Baltimore, 2014; President's Award, Howard County Arc, 2014; Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland Access to Justice Commission, 2014; Special Recognition Award from the Maryland Legal Services Corporation, 2013; Legislative Leadership Award, Maryland Association of Community Services, 2012; Jim Greenfield Compassionate Leadership Award, Howard County Arc, 2010; Maryland Tourism Advocate Award, Maryland Tourism Council, 2009; Legislative Star for the Community, Behavioral Health Association of Maryland, 2008; Achievement Award, Maryland Association of Community Services, 2008.

Biographical Information

Born, Baltimore, Maryland, March 27, 1964; Parkville High School; University of Maryland, College Park, B.A, Economics, B.A., Government and Politics, 1986; University of Maryland, College Park, M.P.M., Public Management, MacArthur Graduate Fellow, 1988; Georgetown University Public Policy Institute, Executive Certificate, Juvenile Justice: Multi-System Integration, 2008; Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Bill Nelson of Florida, 1988-91; Special Assistant to Howard County Council Member, Shane E. Pendergrass, 1991-95; Legislative Assistant to Delegate Shane E. Pendergrass, Howard County, 1995; State Director, Maryland Chapter, Sierra Club, 1996-98; Eagle Scout.