Sworn in to Serve

On January 11, 2023, at noon, I was officially sworn in as a member of the Maryland General Assembly. It is a great honor to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I am grateful for the support of my district and all of my constituents. As your representative, I am dedicated to working hard on behalf of our community and advocating for the issues that are important to you. Again, I am grateful to each of you for your support, and I look forward to continuing to serve as your representative in the General Assembly.

Reflecting on the Past, Embracing the Future

During my first term, I am proud to say that my legislative efforts were successful, with 14 of my proposed bills passing. This includes allocating funding for three brand new schools and millions of dollars for park and recreational center improvements and helping hundreds of constituents and small businesses with unemployment and grants. This achievement has given me renewed energy and motivation as I prepare for the challenges of the 2023 session and beyond. With the support and feedback of my constituents, I am confident that we can continue to make meaningful progress and positive changes in Maryland and the 8th District. The 8th District is already a great place to live, but we can make it even better by working together. I value your input and look forward to continuing our collaboration.

In 2022, we all faced challenges and difficulties, but despite these obstacles, we persevered and worked toward our goals. This determination was evident not only in our personal lives but also in our professional lives. As your State Delegate, I remained committed to creating a better Maryland for all my constituents and the state by continuing to advocate for the issues that matter most to our community in Annapolis.

Back in Business: The HGO Holds its First In-Person Meeting since 2020

The Health and Government Operations Committee held its first in-person organizational meeting in our committee room this afternoon. This is the first time we’ve been able to meet in person since 2020. Under the leadership of Chair Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk, we were joined by representatives from the Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, Maryland Health Care Commission, Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission, and Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS).

We were honored to have Dennis R. Schrader, Secretary of Health; Ed Kasemeyer, Chair, and Mark Luckner, Executive Director of Maryland Community Health Resources Commission; Ben Steffen, Executive Director of Maryland Health Care Commission; Katie Wunderlich, Executive Director of Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission, and Ted Delbridge, M.D., Executive Director of MIEMSS.
It was a productive meeting as we discussed the health and government operations of the state of Maryland. I am proud to be a member of this committee and look forward to working with my colleagues to improve the health and well-being of our state.

Support Local, Savor the Flavor: Kudos to Baltimore County Government

We want to express our appreciation to the Baltimore County government for bringing back the beloved tradition of Restaurant Week. This event provides an opportunity for other local restaurants and us to showcase our menu, cuisine, and service to potential customers and for our community to indulge in delicious meals at discounted prices.
But the benefits of Restaurant Week go beyond just great food. It also supports our local economy by bringing more foot traffic to the area, supporting small businesses, and creating jobs. We are grateful to the Baltimore County government for its efforts in promoting and supporting our community. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to discover new restaurants or return to old favorites during the Baltimore County Restaurant Week, from January 13th to 22nd.
Information about participating restaurants and their deals can be found on the Baltimore County Restaurant Week website: BaltimoreCountyRestaurantWeek.com

Connecting with the Community

I would like to express my gratitude for meeting my constituents-Siebens, Williams and John- in my Annapolis office. It was a pleasure to hear your concerns and ideas for our district, and I am committed to working toward solutions that will positively impact our community. I appreciate your engagement and support, and I look forward to meeting you in Annapolis. If you have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe

As the new year begins and everything appears to be back to normal, it is important to remember that we are not out of the woods yet.
With the emergence of the new Omicron variant XBB.1.5, it’s crucial to continue taking precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones. However, we have tools to prevent severe infection and maintain a sense of normalcy. So please, make sure to get vaccinated and stay safe.
Opportunity for Excellence: Apply Now for Delegate Scholarship Program
In collaboration with Delegate Nick Allen and Delegate Carl Jackson, my office is now accepting applications for the District 8 Delegate Scholarship. This scholarship aims to assist as many local students as possible, as we have done in previous years. Therefore, we encourage interested students to submit their applications early. To apply, please visit the following link: https://forms.gle/UvbvxSe8wgVsBqz9A.

Your Voice Matters

I would like to thank everyone for reaching out with their thoughts on legislation, and all of your advocacy is heard and greatly appreciated. Whether at the federal, state, or local level, our government operates at a higher level with an informed and active constituency. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, concerns, or requests for help. My staff and I are here to help, and I can be reached at harry.bhandari@house.state.md.us.