Dear Friends,
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! It’s an exciting (and busy!) time of year where we have the opportunity to award our legislative scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are attending a Maryland-based school or specialized training program. Many thanks to our scholarship committee who have spent the past months reviewing a record-number of applications. We know that higher education can be extremely expensive and we’re thankful that we can help our young scholars meet their educational goals.
Since Sine Die, and throughout the month of May, legislative leaders hosted numerous bill- signing sessions that I attended, where a number of my bills were signed. You can check out our legislative record here — the yellow highlighted bills were signed into law, but please note that a few bills also passed via the House version of the bill (so are not highlighted).
Governor Moore vetoed several pieces of legislation that garnered significant General Assembly support. SB587, to create a Maryland Reparations Commission and supported by the Legislative Black Caucus and many others, would have considered scholarship about how to address historical injustice and engage with the public about this issue. The RENEW Act, SB149, another bill that was vetoed, would have focused on energy grid planning and helping the state better prepare for climate change. Over the coming months, our legislative leaders will carefully consider whether to take legislative action in response to the vetoes.
You may have read in the newspaper that Moody’s recently downgraded our bond rating (which also downgraded the federal government’s rating), but we did receive reaffirmation of our AAA bond rating from Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s, signaling confidence in our long-term economic outlook and dutiful management of liabilities. Our actions during the 2025 session demonstrate that we take seriously our fiscal responsibilities, balancing the budget despite a multi-billion shortfall and persistent uncertainty from federal government actions.
Lawsuits rolling back the President’s executive orders continue to make their way through the courts, and it’s exceedingly difficult to keep track of them. Please scroll down for resources that are available to the thousands of federal workers who may be in need of assistance. Rest assured that we are working with our federal partners to protect due process and to ensure that our government is operating in a lawful and constitutional manner.
Please be aware of scammers that are trying to gain access to your private information and money. Only a few days ago, I received a text from someone purporting to be the motor vehicle administration, asserting that I owed tolls. Please take care to protect yourself and your loved ones by scrolling down for more information.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and restful beginning to the summer. I’m off on an adventure and will be in touch upon my return.
Shelly L. Hettleman
Senator, District 11
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