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December 22, 2022
Dear Neighbor,
A Win for The Bay!
I want to take a moment to discuss a great judicial success for District 30A and the Chesapeake Bay as a whole. This week, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to vacate the 50 year license issued last year by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In its decision, the court agreed with Waterkeepers Chesapeake, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, ShoreRivers, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s argument that FERC exceeded its authority when it approved a 50-year license without including the Water Quality Certification that Maryland issued in 2018.
Earlier this year, I wrote an Amicus Brief addressing the issue, describing the impact this decision would have on my constituency and the health of the bay. Given the importance of the Bay to the environment, Maryland, and our District, I had been paying close attention to this issue as it went through judicial proceedings. I am pleased by this ruling and, as Betsy Nichols, Executive Director of Waterkeepers Chesapeake, explains:
“This decision will not only protect the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay for the next 50 years of this license term, but will also ensure that all water quality certifications for large projects can’t just be thrown out when it is politically expedient or when the state is pressured to do so. This is a big win for the Chesapeake Bay, watermen, downstream residents, and the entire Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan.”
Waterkeepers Chesapeake and Chesapeake Bay Foundation Press Releases.
Click HERE to read my Amicus Brief in its entirety.
Click HERE to read the full D.C District Court Opinion.
Santa Run and Holiday Giving!
One of my favorite holiday traditions, earlier this month my family and I were excited to see Santa and his fire truck coming through our neighborhood! And even better, he was collecting toys for Anne Arundel County children so that as many kids as possible can enjoy a new toy this holiday season!
As I did last week, I want to highlight another opportunity for giving in our community. The Anne Arundel County Public Libraries are an integral part of our lives, and although The library is free -- for everyone -- supplies, programs and resources aren’t in the library budget. From crayons to SMARTBoards, every dollar truly makes a difference so everyone can come in or online and benefit from all that the library offers. Your gifts can fund resources like:
$100 funds a set of storytime puppets, percussion tubes or sensory tiles.
$250 funds STEM or language building kits.
$500 funds a bilingual storytime or wooden reading block set for a branch.
$1,000 funds a dynamic program or live musical performance.
$2,500 funds programming supplies for your favorite branch or outreach vehicles for one year.
If you can, please consider donating to keep our libraries strong for years to come!
Covid-19 Testing and Booster Shots
Make sure you are up to date on your Covid-19 boosters this holiday season, and take precautions by testing before and after seeing friends and family! See below for options to receive FREE at-home testing kits, or to schedule a vaccine appointment in Anne Arundel County today.
Pick-up free at-home tests: https://www.aahealth.org/rapidcovidtests
Order free at-home tests to your door: www.covid.gov/tests
Schedule a vaccine appointment at one of 38 local clinics today: https://www.aacounty.org/covidvax
Coffee Connect with Blue Star Families
Last week, my office had the honor of meeting with local veterans and their families at the first Coffee Connect in Annapolis with Blue Star Families of Baltimore and Chesapeake Region.
Blue Star Families is a national organization that works to empower military families to thrive as they serve. They are committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors to create vibrant communities of mutual support.
Additionally, they have recently conducted research on how military families of color are impacted to learn how they can adjust the organization’s work to better serve and meet the needs of these families. I’m looking forward to working with them to support our veteran community in Anne Arundel County and Maryland as a whole!
Pre-Session Reception!
Please save the date for my Pre-Session Reception on January 9th, at Metropolitan. I look forward to seeing you there!
Seeds 4 Success, Volunteers Needed!
Seeds4Success is looking to gear up to dramatically increase enrollment of children at Eastport Elementary beginning in January. With this in mind, they will need a significant increase in volunteers to help them serve the children of our community. Below are their goals for 2023:
Increase participant enrollment by at least 35% to serve more children. - we’re actually aiming for 50%!!
Increase our pool of committed volunteers by at least 40% to ensure all children have supportive tutoring and mentoring partnerships.
Increase our BIPOC volunteer representation from 8% to at least 20% so that children feel represented in our S4S community.
I love this organization, and I believe they are doing critical work in our community. Please consider volunteering, for more information visit their website here!
N.A.M Health Fair
Financial Emergency Preparedness Virtual Seminar
Learn how to better prepare yourself and your family for possible financial emergencies with this free course put on by the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management.
Sign up here!
New Hours at the Discoveries Library Pantry at the Mall
Please see below for new hours at The Community Pantry at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall. Anyone who needs help getting basic baby and/or hygiene supplies is welcome.
Supplies include baby/infant supplies up to 5T & hygiene products.
Diapers
Wipes
Baby soap and shampoo
Pads and tampons
Incontinence supplies
...and more!
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn about volunteer opportunities, community resources, COVID-19 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.
Stay safe and healthy,
Delegate Dana Jones
District 30A