It's the Final Countdown 📆

With just two weeks left in the 2022 Session, the Ways & Means committee came back for in-person voting, and this is the first time that I was able to actually sit at my committee desk. After two years of representing District 30a in the Maryland General Assembly and countless hours spent hearing bills and voting in committee, I am so thankful to be on this committee.

I've had the

opportunity to work on so many important issues. I’ve worked on legislation to cut taxes and provide relief for Maryland families, supporting our teachers, students, and parents through education policies, securing our elections, and ensuring elected officials are held accountable for campaign finance violations. I want to thank my fellow committee members, from both sides of the aisle, who I have worked with to help pass well-informed, sound legislation to serve the needs of Marylanders. Aside from all of the wonderful issue areas Ways and Means handles - I truly love working with my colleagues who have become good friends.

250th Anniversary of the State House

Earlier this week, we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Maryland State House with a Joint Resolution. I am so grateful to have spoken on the floor for this momentous occasion. The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use and is the only to have ever served as the nation’s capital. In 1960, the Maryland State House was designated a Registered National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior - the first State House in the nation to receive the designation.

Women’s Caucus 50th Anniversary

Last week, I joined my fellow women legislators in celebrating Maryland Day AND Women's History Month on the steps of the State House. Together we make up the largest number of Women Lawmakers Maryland has ever had. Founded in 1972, the Maryland Women’s Caucus was the first in the nation! I am so proud to be a part of this historic caucus.

Title IX Turns 50

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX. To celebrate, I joined the Maryland chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in commemorating this critical anniversary and women’s achievements in higher education. I am so appreciative to have spent the morning with so many amazing women who are continuing to fight for gender equality.

Thank you for Supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Annapolis!

Thank you so much to everyone who donated to the book drive benefiting the Boys & Girls Club at Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park here in Annapolis.

Together we gathered and donated over 2,000 books to the Boys & Girls club library which is now overflowing with books! Children now have more books to read at the club - or take home and keep! I am so thankful for everyone who donated to help support this wonderful facility and their caring staff that serves children of all ages here in Annapolis.

The Club is currently working on raising $100,000 for a $50,000 match from the Carol M. Jacobson Foundation as a part of their annual Youth of the Year fundraiser. They’re off to a great start! You can help support this club and their outstanding programming for our community’s youth by donating here.

Celebrating the Legacy of Nancy Kopp

Nancy Kopp served our state for over five decades and was a trailblazer among women leaders in our state. Before serving as State Treasurer for 20 years, Kopp was elected to the state legislature where she became the first sitting state legislator in the country to give birth while in office.

This week I joined many of my fellow women legislators for the Maryland Democratic Party’s Women's History Month Luncheon where Kopp was honored for her decades of hard work and dedication in public service and for breaking barriers for all the women that come after her.

Celebrate 14 Years of Paca Girlfriends Party

Join Historic Annapolis to celebrate 14 years of the Paca Girlfriends Party. Enjoy an evening of food, fine wine, friendship, flowers, and fun. All proceeds of this popular annual fundraiser support Historic Annapolis, Inc. and the William Paca Garden. This is one of my favorite events and one I have enjoyed for years. I hope to see you there!

VIP tickets are on sale now and general admission tickets go on sale May 1, 2022. Visit www.pacagirlfriends.com for tickets!

MLK Parade this Weekend in Annapolis

On Saturday April 2, the City of Annapolis, with the Annapolis Drum and Bugle Corp, will host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and African Diaspora Festival. This parade is a commemoration and celebration of the life, work, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The festival immediately following at Susan Campbell Park is a celebration of Pan-African culture in America.

Parade step-off is at 12pm at West Street and Amos Garrett Blvd, down West Street around Church Circle down Main Street to City Dock. I am honored to be walking alongside Speaker Adrienne Jones and my fellow District 30a team of Senator Sarah Elfreth and Delegate Shaneka Henson!

Please be alert to rolling road closures along the route starting a little before noon. Portions of City Dock will be close to parking and reserved for the festival. The Hillman Garage is not yet closed for renovations and will be the closest available parking.

Summer at AACPS

AACPS has planned a wide range of summer programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Programs will be focused on helping students engage in enrichment or unfinished learning, with a focus on mathematics, literacy, and preparing for the next grade level. These summer camps are no cost to AACPS students with virtual and in-person options.

There will be limited transportation through hub stops throughout communities and will run 4 days per week (Monday through Thursday).

Registration is available through April 8, 2022. More information and registration here.

Lighthouse Shelter Donations

The Lighthouse Shelter is running a “Shoe Some Love for Your Neighbor” Drive through April 30, 2022. For those experiencing homelessness, simple tasks such as getting something to eat or finding safe shelter can result in thousands of steps each day. With this drive, Lighthouse is looking to provide neighbors struggling with homelessness with some quality shoes as we head into warmer months.

Learn about the items they can accept and their guidelines here.

Love Our Libraries

Dust off your art skills for the AACPL Peep-Diorama contest. Drop off your diorama at the Edgewater Library between April 4 - 16. Voting for the best will take place between April 18 - 30. A winner from each age group will win a prize. Get more information here.

I encourage everyone to follow the Anne Arundel County Public Library’s Facebook page to get updates on programs and new resources. You can check out their calendar to find the perfect event for you and your family to enjoy!

Knocking on Annapolis Doors

I am so very grateful for the two dozen volunteers who joined us today for D30a first campaign canvas of 2022! THANK YOU to everyone who joined us on a chilly, windy March afternoon. I am so appreciative to all the voters who I talked with today at their doors.

As the campaign season gets underway in the coming weeks, you can volunteer to help by signing up on my website.

Books for Ukraine

Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to uproute their entire lives and flee their homes to escape from Russia's war against Ukraine. One grassroots effort by one of Ukraine's largest book publishers, Old Lion Publishing House is helping get "a piece of home" to these refugees who are going through this unimaginable hardship. They are helping to collect books to ship to refugee children displaced by the war.

If you would like to support this effort through a donation, you can do so here.

You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit my new website 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,