2023 Maryland Session Updates

We are almost halfway through Maryland’s 90-Day Session. Here’s what Maryland is tracking, and what’s coming up:

Cannabis

  • Cannabis is a blazing topic this session after voters legalized recreational marijuana via referendum on November’s ballot. Starting July 1st, anyone over the age of 21 will be able to possess marijuana for personal use. The question before the legislature in this session is how to implement this throughout the state. Co-sponsors of the Cannabis Reform bill held a workgroup last Friday to discuss how much of the implementation would work. Highlights of the hearing included the prioritization of social equity throughout each implementation step.
Gun Control
  • After the Supreme Court ruling on New York v Bruen, key legislators in Maryland have decided to revisit gun control laws. The SCOTUS ruling changed the way courts evaluate the constitutionality of state gun control laws. The bills before the Maryland Legislature attempt to continue to restrict gun access and concealed carry permits while attempting to follow the new standard by the Supreme Court. A number of bills came before the Senate Committee for a contentious 11-hour hearing on February 7th. The next step is for the Senate committee to vote on bills.
Budget Process
  • The budget process is underway in Maryland with new excitement as the Legislature has more say in Budget negotiations. Previously under Republican Governor Larry Hogan, the party divide between the Governor’s office and state legislature meant that legislators had to fight for what they wanted in Hogan’s budget. Now, with new Democratic Governor Wes Moore, the legislator has an easier path to prioritizing their agendas in this year’s budget. Subcommittees that unpack the budget have already started meeting, but we are anticipating more discussions in the coming weeks.
Mental Health Funding
  • While all of these issues will continue to be debated throughout the coming months, we wanted to highlight the stand the Senate took regarding the first bill they passed. Senate Bill 003 also known as the 9-8-8 Trust Fund – Funding was passed on January 30th. The 988 Trust Fund was created by legislation passed last session with stipulations that it would receive around $5 million in funding. This bill, if passed by the House, will more than double the required funding to $12 million by 2025. This is an important message from the Senate about prioritizing mental health and could be an indicator of the success of other mental health bills coming before the body.

Political Strategy: Phone Campaigns

 

An important advocacy tool to influence public opinion is implementing phone campaigns. We have the ability and find that clients are successful when we develop campaigns to mobilize constituents to support or oppose policies heard before state, local and federal governments.

Compass Public Relations has the ability to target specific demographics to send a specific message. We can send through live calls, which are effective in persuading legislators. Compass PR consultants often work in tandem with lobbyists in employing such calls to advance or defeat legislation pending in Delaware, Maryland or at the local level.

We can help frame a message for or against legislation and then facilitate targeting key legislators who may play a decision-making role on such issues. Then dozens – or even hundreds – of live constituent phone calls are generated into legislators’ offices.

Compass PR: Political Strategy

Legislative Session has convened in Maryland and Delaware. Our Compass Public Relations team brings years of advocacy experience and long-term relationships with the legislature to ensure our clients achieve their goals. We have the ability to develop campaigns to mobilize constituents to support or oppose policies heard before state, local, and federal governments.

Compass PR can facilitate patch-thru phone calls from constituents to legislators, letters to elected officials, polling and public opinion surveys, and much more. We offer phone and email services to help get your message out to the right decisionmakers. Our team knows what committee and what legislator on that committee needs to hear your messaging. Both in Delaware and Maryland, Compass can help you navigate the many legislative nuances!

Team Spotlight: Addison Pruitt, GR Partner

This past weekend, Addison was awarded by the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus at the Chairman’s Farewell Reception for his service to the caucus. Addison previously served three years as Chief of Staff for Legislative Black Caucus Chairman, Delegate Daryl Barnes.
The reception was a part of the 27th Annual Legislative Weekend hosted by the Maryland Black Caucus Foundation at Live Casino & Hotel.

We are so proud to have Addison on our team!

General Elections Preview

The Maryland General Election this year is a rare opportunity to see the “big four” up for election: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, and Attorney General. With a new gubernatorial administration comes opportunity for increased legislative movement. Select legislators could move into the administration, allowing for some committee shakeups.

In Delaware, all seats are up for re-election due to redistricting. Compass will keep a pulse on contentious races that could impact the composition of the leadership in the General Assembly. This is not an election year for Governor Carney, so we do anticipate general consistency in the make up of the Administration.

District of Columbia will also hold their General Election on November 8th. We expect to see a few new faces in the coming year. Compass is monitoring contentious At-Large race between Kenyan McDuffie and Elissa Silverman.

This election lends the Compass team an opportunity to facilitate working relationships from freshman delegates to Governors’ offices, while strengthening the relationships we currently hold.

We will hold a call on November 9th to deliver a live update from our government relations team about election results in Maryland, Delaware, and D.C.

Team Spotlight: Jen Kidwell, Of Counsel

Jen brings nearly a decade of experience working with families in a variety of settings to her work as a Wills and Trusts attorney.

She views legal documents that are commonly used to help families plan for the future as tools for investing in the relationships, stories, and causes that ultimately create a legacy.

Jen prioritizes a values-based planning process and takes time with each client to educate and counsel them through potentially challenging decisions.

Posted in Law

Team Spotlight: Brian Della Rocca, Partner

Named by Super Lawyers as one of the best estate and tax attorneys in the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland, Brian R. Della Rocca has built his career providing a straightforward approach to complex estate, trust, and tax issues. For nearly 20 years he has counseled a diverse group of clients from business-owners to retirees to mid-life planners in estate, tax, and asset protection planning. Brian specializes in advising high-net worth clients on income tax, charitable, estate and gift tax, and asset protection issues; developing, implementing, and supervising the administration of complex estates; advising on international tax issues; and guiding charitable organizations on the development and implementation of planned giving programs. He has represented countless domestic and international businesses and individuals, as well as tax-exempt organizations. Reputed for his even-keel temperament, Brian has been tapped to represent foreign embassies and consular offices for legal advice in situations where foreign laws contrast with U.S. law.

While he continues to accept new clients for estate and tax planning, Brian has more recently dedicated himself to representing IRS whistleblowers who have filed claims against various tax-exempt entities.

Posted in Law

Team Spotlight: Rob Garagiola

An expert on energy, tax, business regulation, and procurement matters, Rob lobbies for clients in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. As a former Maryland State Senate Majority Leader and State Senator for ten years, Rob understands the inner workings of state government. Prior to becoming a State Senator, he spent close to a decade on Capitol Hill – both as a lobbyist and senior staffer for U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., who is now the Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee. In addition, he has experience lobbying in Baltimore City and Frederick County. Rob also lobbies before the Delaware General Assembly, DC City Council, and in the halls of Congress.

A triple threat for Compass, Rob serves as a Principal for Compass Government Relations and Compass Public Relations and as the Managing Member for Compass Law. With nearly 30 years of legislative, lobbying, and advocacy experience at the federal, state, and local levels of government, and over 20 years practicing law in D.C. and MD, Rob plays a leading role in managing the Compass leadership team and nurturing the firm’s enterprise growth and innovation.

Team Spotlight: Addison Pruitt

Addison connects the dots between government advocacy and communications on behalf of Compass clients. Prior to joining Compass, he served as Communications Specialist for the U.S. Architect of the Capitol, where he coordinated messaging and led outreach initiatives to House Members, staff, and key congressional stakeholders.

As the former Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Delegate Darryl Barnes, Addison led the office’s marketing and strategic communication efforts, serving as a liaison for constituents on all legislative activities.

Addison has also worked with several nonprofits and businesses, providing consulting services in brand identity, graphic design, web development, and multimedia.

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