Tenure

Member of the Senate since 2007. Sworn in on September 5, 2007.

Current Assignments

2007- Budget and Taxation Committee

2015 Chair, Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee (Member, 2007-)

2008- Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2008- Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families (Member, 2007-)

2013- Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Gaming Oversight

2017 Spending Affordability

2017 Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics

2016 Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education

2015 Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 6, Montgomery County

2003 Women Legislators of Maryland

Past Senate Service

Assistant Deputy Majority Leader, 2014-2016; Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2011-2014; Vice Chair, Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-2012; 21st Century School Facilities Commission, 2016-2017; Health, Education and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2008-2010; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2007-2009; President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2013-2014; Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government, 2011-2014; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2015.

Past House Service 2003-2007

Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2007-2014; Chair, Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2007; House Chair, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2007; Deputy Majority Whip, 2006-2007; Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2007; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2003-2007; Tax and Revenue Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2004-2006; Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Data Systems, 2004-2006; Children and Youth Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2004; Election Law Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2004; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2001.

Public Service

Commission to Review Maryland's Use of Assessments and Testing in Public Schools, 2015-2017; Education Commission of the States, Maryland Senate Representative, 2015-; State Early Childhood Advisory Council, 2014-; Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2014-2016; State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board, 2013-; President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2013-2014; Second Vice President, Women Legislators of Maryland Inc., 2012; Secretary, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2009-2011; P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland, 2010-; Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission, 2008-2010; 2009 State Plan for Postsecondary Education Work Group, 2008-2009; Executive Board, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2008-2009; Chair, Education Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2008-; Education Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education, 2007; Transportation Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007; Land Use and Transportation Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007; Co-Chair, Task Force on School Safety, 2006-2007; Montgomery County Delegation, 2003-2007; Bi-County Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2003-2007; National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-; Governor's Commission on Quality Education in Maryland, 2004-2005; Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 1994-2002; President, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 2000-2001, 1997-1998; Chair, Audit Committee, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 1998; Vice President, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 1996-1997; Policy Committee, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County; Chair, Subcommittee on Long-Range and Strategic Planning, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County.

Memberships

Maryland Democratic Business Caucus (Steering Committee), 2005-; Maryland Green Caucus, 2003-; Board of Directors, Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children, 2001-; Advisory Board, "Care for Kids," Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County, 1999-; Board of Directors, Montgomery Village Foundation, 1991-1996; President, Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), 1993-1994; President and Coordinator, Gaithersburg Meals on Wheels, 1982-1992.

Awards

First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2017; Maryland's Top 100 Women, The Daily Record, 2014; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2008-2010; Municipal Super Star, Maryland Municipal League, 2009.

Biographical Information

Born, Niagara Falls, New York, October 7, 1949; LaSalle High School, Niagara Falls, New York; Niagara County Community College, 1967-69; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Trecor, Inc. (a family-owned consulting and forensic engineering company), 1987-; Married; three daughters; two grandchildren.