The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about this year's fiscal briefing and Maryland's structural deficit. In the last two weeks Neil Bergsman was interviewed about the proposed budget and transportation funding.

Monday, January 28th

• Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee and the Education, Business, and Administration Subcommittee of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee hold a joint policy briefing on higher education. 1pm in room 3 West, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee receive a briefing on the implications of the FY 2014 budget on the Chesapeake Bay. 2pm in Schweinhaut, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Maryland CASH Campaign and the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition host their third annual Consumer Caucus Reception. RSVP to Robin McKinney at robin@mdcash.org, or call 443-692-9422. 6-8pm at The Maryland Inn, 16 Church Circle, Annapolis. 

Tuesday, January 29th

• Senate Budget and Taxation Committee holds hearings on the Maryland Emergency Medical System Operations Fund, State Retirement Agency, and Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans. 1pm in room 3 West, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee is briefed on the capital budget. 4pm in room 3 West, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
  

Wednesday, January 30th

• House Appropriations Committee subcommittees hold a variety of hearings:
• Education and Economic Development Subcommittee meets to discuss higher education. 2pm in room 120, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Health and Human Resources Subcommittee is briefed on the budget for the Department of Human Resources and also by the Office of Legislative Audits. 2pm in room 150, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee is briefed on the Office of the Attorney General. 2pm in room 145, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Senate Budget and Taxation Committee holds a hearing at 3pm on Senate Bill (SB) 34, which would reduce the corporate income tax from 8.25 percent to 6 percent. MBTPI will submit testimony on this bill, which we will post on our website Wednesday under Advocacy>2013 Session.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases metropolitan-level employment figures.

Thursday, January 31st

• House Appropriations Committee subcommittees hold a variety of hearings:
• Education and Economic Development Subcommittee holds briefings on the Maryland School for the Deaf, the Interagency Committee on School Construction, the Department of Business and Economic Development, and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). 1pm in room 145, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• House Health and Human Resources Subcommittee holds briefings on  Public Health Administration and the Office of Health Care Quality. 1pm in room 150, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• House Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee holds briefings on the State Retirement Agency, Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans, the Comptroller of Maryland, and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). 1pm in room 120, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee holds briefings on social services and the Secretary of State. 1pm in Amoss, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Working Matters coalition holds a rally to announce the official filing of the Earned Sick and Safe Time Act, a bill to allow workers to earn a limited number of annual paid sick days from their employer. MBTPI has signed on in support of the Act because everyone gets sick and everyone deserves the opportunity to recover without risking their economic security. See our blog Tuesday for more information. RSVP to Melissa Broome at melissa@jotf.org, or (410) 236-6079. 11am in the East Wing Conference Room, Senate Office Building, Annapolis, MD.

Friday, February 1st

• House Appropriations Committee holds hearings on the Maryland Emergency Medical System Operations Fund and Maryland Department of Transportation. 1pm in room 120, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Senate Budget and Taxation Committee subcommittees hold several hearings:
• Education, Business, and Administration Subcommittee discusses higher education. 1pm in room 3 West, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Health and Human Services Subcommittee holds hearings on Public Health Administration and the Office of Health Care Quality. 1pm in Amoss, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee is briefed on the Judiciary and DPSCS. 1pm in Schweinhaut, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases national employment figures for January. The U.S. unemployment rate was 7.8 percent in December as employment and labor force participation both rose.