11 Days to Go!

March 28th, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

Maryland's Budget

This week, I stood to defend Maryland's budget. This budget process has been extremely hard - heart wrenching at times. As a member of the Appropriations Committee we held 138 hearings, held hundreds of meetings, and countless evenings combing through budget books making cuts. Looking for every way we could protect Maryland and all of our people.

As Chairman Barnes said, "We had two choices: Hard choices or Intolerable choices." I voted for this budget because it strikes a balance of necessary spending cuts, while safeguarding funding for Maryland's most vulnerable and crucial investments. You will hear a lot of messaging around what this budget does or doesn't do, but as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I want to make sure you know what this budget actually does.

This budget:

- 94% of Marylands will receive a tax cut or see NO changes to their taxes

- $1.6 Billion in Spending Cuts

- Restores $300 million to the Developmental Disability Administration for critical services

- Cuts $2 billion of proposed funding

- Retains $2.4 billion in cash reserves to protect against Federal actions

- Meets spending affordability goals

- Among other critical investments in infrastructure, schools and economic growth

In the face of an unstable and hostile Trump administration, economic uncertainty, and rising costs; Maryland has been faced with very difficult budgetary choices. When faced with these difficult choices, today, Maryland chose to stand for its values and for the needs of all of our people.

To listen to my remarks, please watch them here.

Crossover Weekend Success!

Another year, another Crossover Saturday in the Maryland General Assembly!! Crossover, a critical day in the legislative process, is the final day each chamber has to pass and send bills to the other chamber (House or Senate).

🥯⚓ I was happy to enjoy some Naval Bagels from District 30A, a tradition every year for me. My colleagues and I at the MD House of Delegates were voting all day to get the work done!

After 9 long hours on the House floor, I am elated to share that 11 of the Women’s Caucus of Maryland’s 2025 Priority Bills officially crossed over and successfully passed out of their original chamber and moved to the other for consideration. As President of the Women’s Caucus, I am proud to see these bills push forward to ensure they make it across the finish line. If you would like to see the full list of Women’s Caucus 2025 priority bills that crossed over, click here!

I am thankful for colleagues who are such good friends in the work for Maryland, and to all the hardworking members of the Maryland Women’s Caucus, creating bills to reflect our unwavering commitment to Maryland’s women and families.

Oysters & Socks in Annapolis! 🧦

There’s nothing like welcoming spring in our beloved City! The @annapolismaritimemuseum once again brought the community together for the annual Oyster Roast and Sock Burning—a tradition as unique as Annapolis itself.

With a beautiful day, fresh local oysters, and an incredible sold-out crowd, it was the perfect way to celebrate the season in the place we love most! Thrilled to celebrate with my district partner, @delegatedylan and my friends Mayor @gavin4annapolis Alderman @hmhuntley @frank4ward8

Women’s History Month Pop-Up!

Together, the Maryland Women's caucus and the Legislative Jewish Caucus hosted an exceptional Women's History Month Pop-up event this morning, paying tribute to trailblazing Jewish women legislators who have made a lasting impact in the Maryland General Assembly!

As President of the Women's Caucus, I am so pleased to see this well-deserved recognition of Jewish women past and present, and deeply appreciate the opportunity to reflect on all their invaluable contributions to our state. Wishing everyone a joyful and inspiring Women's History Month!!

REMINDER: 2025-2026 Scholarship Opportunity 🎓

Application submissions for my annual legislative scholarship close in 1 week! You must submit your fully completed application by April 1st, 2025 and include a completed FAFSA!! If you are a committed student living in District 30A, and plan on attending a Maryland college or university, visit danajones30a.com/apply to apply.

Please remember that late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Reapplying? You're eligible too!

If you have any questions, reach out to me here: Dana.Jones@house.state.md.us.

Resources for Marylanders Affected by Federal Layoffs

The Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation has compiled a number of resources for Marylanders impacted by the recent layoffs for federal employees navigating their next career steps. Click here to access numerous resources, including a schedule and registration for a five-part workshop series that begins in April, a dedicated job board for federal workers to find jobs that match their skill sets, and other County resources.

Additionally, AAWDC is working to schedule a number of hiring events over the next couple of months. The next one, a joint event with Howard County, will be on April 8, and more information can be found here.

A dedicated page of county resources for federal workers can be found at https://www.aacounty.org/federal-employee-assistance.

Future Innovators in the House!!

It's always a great day when I get to highlight some outstanding students!

I had the pleasure of giving a shout-out on the House floor to some bright minds from Annapolis High School's Change Engineering Signature Program! It was a joy to meet with them afterward and hear all about their day of hands-on learning at our State Capitol. I can’t wait to see these students change the world with their innovation and drive!

🏆 Join Me at the 41st Annual Annapolis Cup!

The Annapolis Cup returns for the 41st anniversary croquet match between St. John’s College and the U.S. Naval Academy on Saturday, April 5, 2025!

I invite you to join members of St. John’s, USNA, and Annapolis communities to celebrate this long standing tradition. Tickets are currently available to the public and sales will close at noon on Friday, April 5th or until sold out.

I hope to see you there! To buy tickets click here.

For more information about the history of the Annapolis Cup, click here!

Honored to Welcome St. Mary’s Students

Recently, I had some very special friends who are also constituents visit me at the State House! I’m so happy to have this group of students from St. Mary’s School in Annapolis visit!

Having known this group of students since Kindergarten, I am so proud to see these young scholars eager to lead and I have no doubt they’ll make a difference in our communities and beyond!

Calling All Wonderful Volunteers!

If you are looking for some great

volunteer opportunities as the weather gets warmer, the South River Association invites you to join for “Second Saturdays with SRA!”

Join for volunteer trash cleanup, invasive removal, or native planting on the second Saturday of each month. SRA will always provide tools for events- gloves, trash bags, tools, and coffee. Each event will be held at a different location, maximizing efforts on restoring the entire Severn River watershed.

The first event will be held Saturday, April 12th from 9am-noon. This will be a trash cleanup at Heritage Baptist Church, 1740 Forest Dr, Annapolis, MD 21401.

For the sign-up link, click here!

Please be sure to fill out the waiver form linked here.

Happy Women’s History Month!

For Women’s History Month, I would like to highlight Dr. Emily Hammond Wilson. After graduating from the Medical College of Georgia, Dr. Wilson came to Maryland to do research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. An inspiration to many, Dr. Wilson broke barriers for women becoming the first female doctor in South County!

Dr. Wilson's abilities were constantly questioned because she was a female doctor, but over her extensive 53 year career she proved herself as a medical professional and successful doctor. Practicing during segregation, Dr. Wilson continued to break societal norms as her patients, both white and Black, sat in the same waiting room and she showed no preference in the order that they were seen.

Recognized for her hard work, she became the president of the Anne Arundel Medical Society in 1951 and the Chief of Staff for Anne Arundel Hospital, now Anne Arundel Medical Center. Dr. Wilson helped pave the way for countless women in the medical field.

If you would like to learn more about the remarkable life of Dr. Emily Hammond Wilson, visit https://www.aacounty.org/.../history.../local-women/dr .

AACPL Women’s History Month Events!

If you are searching for career development, unemployment resources, free online learning, and help with your job search, Anne Arundel Public Library is a one stop shop! Explore some of the amazing resources below or click here for the full list.

Learn and perfect new professional skills from career development booklists.
Find accessible resources & programs for adults with disabilities to aid them in their job search and career development.
Free access to LinkedIn Learning, BrainFuse Job Now for live chat resume assistance, Udemy for business, tech, and personal development.
Find local career fairs to discover your next step & explore local options.
Access resources for Maryland employees impacted by recent federal actions.

You can follow me on Facebook, Bluesky, X, and Instagram to learn about volunteer opportunities, community resources, legislative updates and much more. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact my office by email at Dana.Jones@house.state.md.us or by phone at 410-841-3211.