Aegis- Senator Jacobs’ Annapolis Report

February 22, 2006

The 2006 General Assembly has gotten off to a turbulent start, and it is not likely to cool off until after April 10th which is the last day of session. In many ways, lines have been drawn in the sand as senators and delegates do the best they can to represent their communities and their districts. I am proud to say that the Harford County Delegation is working together and working hard to represent Harford County with the utmost dignity.

Harford County is fortunate to have many dedicated legislators in the state house as well as a true friend in the Governor’s Mansion. Under Governor Ehrlich’s Administration, Harford County has reaped the benefits of having like-minded representation.

Since fiscal year 2004, Harford County has seen nearly a 35% increase in Major Capital Projects. More than $5 million of this money has been used to renovate the Harford Community College Campus. Over $19 million of the Capital Projects went to important repairs in elementary and high schools. An excess of $2 million has been used for waterway improvements from the Edgewood waterline to Darlington’s Broad Creek Landing. Other funds have gone to a number of recreational areas that our children use for sports and other out-door activities. Harford County has truly been blessed these last couple of years, and we are not finished yet.

The Harford County delegation is determined to pass the Governor’s legislative agenda which will increase Capital Funding for Harford County yet again. The Governor has proposed more than a 37% increase in funding from the previous fiscal year for Harford County. This much of a funding increase by a Governor is unprecedented. Previous governors have never provided this much of an increase in funding to our county. We are very thankful for the relationship we have with Governor Ehrlich. The Governor is committed to the people of Harford County as demonstrated in his budget. This money will continue to help our communities to grow and to sustain the most important part of our communities, our families. Much needed money will be applied where it is needed most which is in critical areas such as school construction, as well as important waterway improvements in Havre de Grace and along the Bush River in Abingdon.

A great deal of money will also go to the roads and bridges that are under constant use and are in desperate need of repair. Everyday we use public highways that have to be maintained and updated. Projects such as the I 95/ MD 24 interchange will be receiving $14 million in this budget if passed without cuts.

The Harford County Delegation takes pride in bringing increased funds back to our home to benefit all of the residents of Harford County. We have worked well together, and we look forward to serving you for the next four years should you choose to re-elect us.

For those who are interested in the Maryland Senatorial Scholarships for Higher Education you may use my website, http://www.nancyjacobs.com, to print out an application that you may then mail or fax to my office.

As always, please send me your thoughts, opinions, and concerns about legislation or state government in general. Should you wish to receive regular email updates, you may do so by visiting my web page and sign up for the newsletter. I can be reached toll free by phone at 800-492-7122 ext. 3158, by fax at 410-841-3400, or by e-mail [Click here for an email form].