A President's Message 2022
In 2019, 2020, 2021 and now 2022, I have managed to get a bill submitted to the Maryland General Assembly to reinstate the prescription drug program that benefited elderly and disabled State retirees.
The bills submitted in the 2022 session (one in the House and one in the Senate) seeks to reinstate this benefit for any retiree or active employee who worked at least 5 years before July 1, 2011 and retired from the State.
The battle goes on, but I continue to fight.......
Ken Fitch, President
THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES
February 8, 2022
To State Employees & Retirees:
Finally, we have a House Bill Number. It is HB 0892. Wow, look at all the co-sponsors! Looks like 42.
Do you see your lawmaker there? If not – why not? You need to go to bed tonight knowing you did everything in your power to get your representative to co-sponsor this bill. It could be our last great chance to get this done. Its your coverage – I hope you fought for it. Thank you to all those who called and emailed. Your efforts are below for everyone to see.
Co-sponsors to Delegate Joe Boteler’s Bill - HB 0892:
Christopher Adams (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico)
Carl Anderton (Wicomico)
Steven Arentz (Kent, Queen Anne’s, Cecil, & Caroline)
Lauren Arikan (Baltimore & Harford)
Lisa Belcastro (Baltimore County)
Jason Buckel (Allegany County)
Ned Carey (Anne Arundel)
Barrie Ciliberti (Frederick & Carroll)
Jefferson Ghrist (Kent, Queen Anne’s, Cecil, & Caroline)
Robin Grammar (Baltimore County)
Mike Griffith (Cecil & Harford)
Michele Guyton (Baltimore County)
Wayne Hartman (Wicomico & Worcester)
Kevin Hornberger (Cecil County)
Seth Howard (Anne Arundel County)
Rick Impallaria (Baltimore & Harford)
Carl Jackson (Baltimore County)
Jay Jacobs (Ken, Queen Anne, Cecil, & Caroline)
Jay Jalisi (Baltimore County)
Dana Jones (Anne Arundel)
Nicholaus Kipke (Anne Arundel)
Trent Kittleman (Howard & Carroll)
Susan Krebs (Carroll County)
Cheryl Landis (Prince George’s County)
Mary Ann Lisanti (Harford County)
Robert Long (Baltimore County)
Johnny Mautz (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico)
Susan McComas (Harford County)
Mike McKay (Allegany & Washington)
Ric Metzgar (Baltimore County)
Matthew Morgan (St. Mary’s County)
Rachel Munoz (Anne Arundel)
Reid Novotny (Howard & Carroll)
Charles Otto (Somerset & Worcester)
Neil Parrott (Washington County)
Teresa Reilly (Cecil & Harford)
April Rose (Carroll County)
Sid Saab (Anne Arundel)
Haven Shoemaker (Carroll County)
Kathy Szeliga (Baltimore County)
William Wivell (Washington County)
Here is a link to the legislation. The hyperlink is not working yet, I think because it has to go through the first reading of the bill, however this bill is IDENTICAL to SB 0578 except for the names of the co-sponsors, so you should know what it says. This bill asks for reinstatement of the prescription drug coverage for any State employee or Retiree who worked at least 5 years prior to 2011 and retired from the State.
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/Hb0892
Sincerely,
Ken Fitch
Ken Fitch, President
MARYLAND SENATE
February 2, 2022
Hello Retirees,
Its starting…..
Senator Kathy Klausmeier has filed her bill to reinstate our prescription drug coverage in the Maryland Senate. The bill number is SB 0578. It already had its first reading. The bill is in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
Co-Sponsors to Senator Klausmeier Bill - SB 0578
Senator Augustine PG County
Senator Corderman Washington County
Senator Edwards Garret, Allegany & Washington County
Senator Hershey Kent, Queen Anne’s, Cecil & Caroline County
Senator Hester Carroll & Howard County
Senator Hettleman Baltimore County
Senator Corazza Somerset, Worchester & Wicomico County
Senator Lee Montgomery County
Senator McCray Baltimore City
Senator Patterson Prince George’s County
Senator, Salling Baltimore County
Senator Simonaire Anne Arundel County
Senator Sydnor Baltimore City/Baltimore County
Senator Watson Prince George’s County
Senator West Baltimore County
Do you see your Senator? If they are not supporting YOU – Why Not? This should be something you remember when you vote. As soon as we get the HB Bill number our Media Blitz will begin. Let’s get started.
Sincerely,
Ken Fitch
Ken Fitch, President
HELP US HELP YOU
Call, Email, Write Letters to your Lawmaker and demand that these bills get out of committee and onto the Floor for a vote.