Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 2006. Member of the Senate since 2007.

Current Assignments

2015 Vice-Chair, Budget and Taxation Committee, (Member, 2007-)

2015 Chair, Health and Human Services Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee

2015 Capital Budget Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee

2011- Pensions Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2015 Executive Nominations Committee

2015 Legislative Policy Committee

2015 Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness

2011- Joint Audit Committee

2013- Joint Committee on Management of Public Funds

2010- Joint Committee on Pensions

2007- Spending Affordability Committee

2016 Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education

Past Senate Service

Chair, Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2011-2014; Pensions Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2011-2014; Joint Committee on Base Realignment and Closure, 2008-2011; Chair, Montgomery County Senate Delegation, 2008-2011; Joint Legislative Workgroup to Study State, County, and Municipal Fiscal Relationships, 2009-2010; Vice Chair, Health, Education and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2008-2010; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2007-2010; Vice Chair, Montgomery County Senate Delegation, 2007-2008; Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2007; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2007; Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Data Systems, 2008-2014.

Past House Service 2003-2007

Oversight Committee on Pensions of the Appropriations Committee, 2006-2007; Juvenile Services Work Group of the Appropriations Committee, 2005-2007; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2004-2007; Appropriations Committee, 2003-2007; Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2003-2007; Joint Committee on Fair Practices, 2003-2007; Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee, 2003-2005; Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Data Systems, 2003-2004.

Public Service

Task Force to Study Exemptions from Higher Education Ethics Requirements and Procurement Rules to Facilitate Technology Transfer, 2015-; Tax Credit Evaluation Committee, Co-Chair, 2013-; Task Force to Study Implementing a Civil Right to Counsel in Maryland, 2013-2014; Transportation Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2003-2011; Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission, 2008-2010; Maryland Council for New Americans, 2009-; Commission to Study the Impact of Immigrants in Maryland, 2008-; Maryland Commission on Public Art, 2008-; Maryland State Arts Council, 2007-; Interagency Steering Committee for Managing for Results, 2005-2007; Governor's Workforce Investment Board, 2004-2007; Bi-County Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2003-2007; Special Committee on Higher Education Affordability and Accessibility, 2003-2004; Maryland Association of Counties Representative, Public School Construction Program Work Group, 2000-2001; Maryland Association of Counties Designee, Partnership Policy Council on Block Grants, 1996; Task Force to Study How to Improve Student Achievement in Middle School, 2014-2015.

Memberships

Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2006-2007; Maryland Green Caucus, 2003-2007; Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-2007; Board of Directors, Free State Justice (Co-Chair, Legislative Committee), 1999-2002; Precinct Vice Chair, Montgomery County Democratic Party, 1999-2002; Rock Creek Palisades Citizens Association.

Awards

Legislative Award, The Arc of Maryland , 2009; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League , 2007-2008.

Biographical Information

Born, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 16, 1965; Montgomery County Public Schools; Georgetown Preparatory School; Syracuse University, B.A., History and Soviet Studies, 1987, M.A., Public Administration, 1989; Department of Fiscal Services, General Assembly of Maryland, Budget Analyst, 1989-91, Senior Staff Analyst, 1991-95; Legislative Analyst, Office of Intergovernmental Relations, Montgomery County, 1995-2002; Chair, Social Justice Council, Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 1998-2002; Husband, Two children.