[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6370677,"mediaKeyId","2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b","parentId",2150945,"title","Transportation Association explains SB 20 and asks delegation to back letter on steadying local transit funding","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",3407000,"endMs",3585000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b&start=3407&end=3585","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b/thumbnail_3407000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6370677/Maryland/Transportation-Association-explains-SB-20-and-asks-delegation-to-back-letter-on-steadying-local-transit-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370677-caaf9c68204d9b9a092e1ee1b2b248d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156576&Signature=HEgssBsnPNtGHvphHyyitykihnVuoqfSoxMEWem0TDpoyv59gzrpELvfNKx~SMd1-a-rxjl0P7EfOlK0oJXcSy2JvS5hpY0ycbmv093xsM0Hx34UtGpVmGFRzhsmAOgEdk0pNH~Vi1WSePe3ujdowIM7-tacRzj3x5-O6vaQEELM8TXaY3TIVvN94VcjSNLh5Gc8t3TtVTuS4OPbTg~3H7QF1UZAiNDOqVNfJ96-~1TjbSdntOmOJYIux1wSTT2s-u2fgHF7kJf8E5R5hcjD-nZ4NhshfsZps1xFq4jg3wD7bnybukoVtKCgIvLX1WZ8G4NU6z2ozuokuKwQN85orw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - House Other","date","2025-01-24T00:00:00Z","article","John DeCluskey, executive director of the Transportation Association of Maryland, briefed the Southern Maryland Delegation on Jan. 24, 2025 about Senate Bill 20, a measure intended to stabilize state support for local transit funding.

DeCluskey said the Transportation Association represents local transit agencies across the state, including those operating in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. He said local transit agencies provide more than 1,000,000 trips per year in the three counties combined.

DeCluskey told the delegation that state support for local transit from the Transportation Trust Fund was about $107 million in 2015 and has fallen to a statutory floor of $80.5 million today — a decrease of roughly $27 million over the last decade — even as costs such as buses, diesel fuel and electric-bus technology have increased significantly. He said federal guidance suggests a financing split of roughly 50 percent federal, 25 percent state, 25 percent local for operating costs, but that in recent years local and state shares have diverged from that target.

SB 20, DeCluskey said, is designed to prevent further declines in state support for local transit. A letter in support of SB 20 was circulated to delegation members the day before the meeting; the chair said members will be given an opportunity to approve or modify the letter. No formal delegation vote on the letter was recorded at the Jan. 24 meeting.

Ending: Delegation members were asked to review the circulated letter and will be given a chance to approve or amend it in follow-up correspondence.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SOU Committee Session, 1/24/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","John DeCluskey of the Transportation Association of Maryland briefed the delegation on SB 20, which would stabilize state support for local transit after a decade of declining funding; the association urged members to approve a letter supporting the bill that was circulated to delegates.","taxTitle","Southern Maryland, Delegation Committees, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15084,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370682,"Senator Van Hollen warns of federal personnel changes, outlines pending funds for Indian Head burn center and SMRT",458,2582000,3040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b&start=2582&end=3040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b/thumbnail_2582000.jpg","/articles/6370682/Maryland/Senator-Van-Hollen-warns-of-federal-personnel-changes-outlines-pending-funds-for-Indian-Head-burn-center-and-SMRT","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370682-08462d1343b0e95b275279c5a686caec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156576&Signature=BAT-U~KjLL22vrvSuSS2xcChEFQR0uC1RUm0tZsUEicIZ3NhnNyKcqDb8AWiUvhWRqGlxVv3iMphliQje0xvalOfqdr0aFUk38RR06RRVxFv6wRqx3YBnMLhx2ETSdZDmL-vK3q3lJ~OXKlP3QtHDbHSrK5Vh5-q0RxQVCu8As10ZHWyUEMjgWw0sdSa3wZs4zMFNBBKyQOptYkVFtbqtgsHsFSwDl43EVzC7aefOJclsxuXDjIuwKt-VpJ8mVMx7qBwCIl2PffGwLLC4vP4hLIQYje9GkYiNZSB7npIt1DlszlgDJRyBtFY2cJidaV77BHOR8d6JND8Si2e8eH8xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen updated the Southern Maryland Delegation on Jan. 24, 2025, about federal matters that affect the region, including a federal push to convert merit-based civil-service positions into politically appointed slots, ongoing appropriations negotiations and congressionally directed funding for local projects.

Van Hollen said a planned executive initiative to reclassify up to tens of thousands of federal civil-service positions (commonly discussed as “Schedule F”) would change merit-based hiring practices and could harm the quality of federal services in the region. He said the region employs about 30,000 federal civil servants (not including many active-duty military) and that contractors could also be affected.

On funding, Van Hollen said the congressional delegation worked to secure targeted spending that benefits Southern Maryland, citing roughly $11 million previously directed to area nonprofits and new requests in the pending fiscal 2025 appropriations package: $50,000,000 for military construction to build a contained burn center at Indian Head (a congressionally designated project) and $5,000,000 for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project, which would require a state match. He warned that the current continuing resolution at the federal level runs out on March 15, 2025, and that if Congress does not enact a full-year appropriations bill, targeted investments could be lost.

Van Hollen also described a recent Senate Budget Committee hearing for the president’s budget official nominee, Russ Vought, and raised concerns about whether the administration would comply with the Impoundment Control Act — a federal statute that restricts executive withholding or partial implementation of funds or policy provisions approved by Congress. Van Hollen said the administration’s refusal to commit to the statute’s constraints could invite litigation and would be “very concerning” for funding already passed by Congress.

He urged members of the delegation to keep communication lines open between state and federal officials so projects such as the SMRT and the Indian Head burn center remain funded and aligned with local priorities. Van Hollen was joined on the call by Roderick Lewis, his regional director in Southern Maryland.

Ending: Van Hollen encouraged the delegation to stay engaged with the federal delegation as appropriations move forward and highlighted March 15 as an important date for the FY2025 budget process.","U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen told the Southern Maryland delegation about federal-level risks to the civil service, ongoing appropriations work and pending congressionally directed funds including $50 million for a military burn center at Indian Head and $5 million for Southern Maryland Rapid Transit.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370686,"Catholic Charities describes family shelter demand, urges support for emergency-shelter certification bill",560,1956000,2516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b&start=1956&end=2516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b/thumbnail_1956000.jpg","/articles/6370686/Maryland/Catholic-Charities-describes-family-shelter-demand-urges-support-for-emergency-shelter-certification-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370686-30be58b2c3184395c15555b00b93319a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156576&Signature=Zf0CfppSPCOF-qaGK9fmIlq6J3NK5xK3uTBOiZmKZ89sci14KAeVwcmT5Je8A2hpqlpK2UlaJU78QZe3vr0Jl5r~mQ3bwgT6BTt5C4-u3yfJ8V85M8SIWPFG24~P-xEATRwO4TO8p6aLI2~4rGo37u~qnn90HaXwVw6VOAT37uHJ7dxe-gxC09UBckTWev1v-AF~aXzuk9wjCUeJRW2tKO3LlC7T4nHKBC3MS7-53-feAa-6bYIFCo~TL1rQuW~MCx9Du170HbHel~KoDFc7T2UwOwrtcZwQ-63Gh2Zy9CZY88I9d69l0FC19lfR8nhLzfPMMuZHYhP8J6H48ZhTcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 24 Southern Maryland Delegation meeting, Amanda Chesney, executive director of housing and homeless services for Catholic Charities, described the agency’s Angel’s Watch family emergency shelter and asked the delegation to support House Bill 93, a state proposal to develop certification standards for emergency shelters.

Chesney said Angel’s Watch, which opened in December 2018 and is located in Charles County, offers up to 120 beds per night and can expand by 10 to 20 beds during hypothermia (extreme-cold) events. She said the shelter has 30 private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and ability for families to stay together; last fiscal year the program served 316 people, including children. Chesney said roughly half the facility’s occupants are children at any given time.

The shelter operates 24/7 with about 26 staff and relies on a mix of funding sources. Chesney said the Maryland Housing Solutions Program provides recurring state support that has been “a real lifeline” but represents a limited portion of the shelter’s budget; she said the agency’s annual budget for the Southern Maryland shelter is about $1,400,000 and that there remains a deficit between operating costs and secured recurring funding.

Chesney asked delegates to support House Bill 93, which would develop a certification program for emergency shelters; she said the state must also fund the services that certification would require. When asked by Senator Jackson, she said archdiocesan support historically accounts for less than 1 percent of the shelter’s annual budget and offered to provide full details to the delegation outside the meeting.

Delegate Patterson and others thanked Catholic Charities for the presentation and encouraged members to contact the agency for additional information. No formal endorsement or vote on HB 93 was recorded at the Jan. 24 meeting; Chesney requested delegates’ support and said she would provide follow-up materials.

Ending: Delegation members invited follow-up information and were asked to consider support for HB 93 and additional state funding for certified emergency-shelter operations.","Catholic Charities’ Angel’s Watch family shelter serves up to 120 beds nightly and reported serving 316 people in the last fiscal year; the agency asked delegates to support House Bill 93 (shelter certification) and to consider increased recurring funding from the state.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370689,"Alpass Wellness describes long regulatory delays and heavy startup costs opening La Plata treatment center",952,809000,1761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b&start=809&end=1761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b/thumbnail_809000.jpg","/articles/6370689/Maryland/Alpass-Wellness-describes-long-regulatory-delays-and-heavy-startup-costs-opening-La-Plata-treatment-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370689-081a6faafb877b7092f0041ad7f3fb09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156576&Signature=N86WxAcRtmrdPAzkiaXVfP6bDTNWIqU2UTIz8lUHK1oFj39DLKVAKKLJWwaUJUzT7efv2we4Uu~XkJssSlND4BqAzkEWTius~hiujR38DZxE8lG2n6nb~100CQrPIbjjLSzmGZxGOQW4f9Xulh6Xg7VkkcHH0l6GOxm-gYYE3UJNH521Y-9Q4K57KZDinqEo~u0xE8j22-yADfiMptKAHxnzCILzUFqfz~qOJgZYY-PFvMM-4Z8uUmuvQla5eo9u5YypVT-fMMwTR0TQV4FqTGTIL1AK4pzRug46~OCRFaw8Zy7pVukNWBAZizSmGBV0awU2hQAlukyqJKk~7~qp2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 24 Southern Maryland Delegation meeting, Sean Smith, founder and chief executive officer of Alpass Wellness, described lengthy regulatory steps, staffing requirements and federal certification delays that he said made opening the La Plata treatment center costly and difficult.

Smith said Alpass operates a 108-bed facility licensed by state authorities and the Joint Commission that opened in May 2024. He told the delegation the facility has three units currently open, employs slightly more than 130 people and was running a patient census “a little north of 40” at the time of the presentation. He said Alpass treated a little more than 350 patients in 2024 and anticipates treating over 850 patients in 2025, and that at stabilization the center would treat about 1,200 patients a year.

Smith outlined a multi-step timeline for the state and federal approvals. He said Alpass applied for a certificate of need in March 2022 and received approval in June 2023 (a roughly 16-month process), and that Behavioral Health Administration licensing required the provider to be fully staffed before opening units. He said being staffed months before revenue began created a high monthly burn rate — roughly $1,000,000 per month — and that between November (when staff were in place) and May the program carried those staffing expenses without offsetting revenue.

Smith also described difficulty obtaining a DEA “224” certification that would permit certain medication-assisted detoxification services. He said the company has not received the 224 certification and that a letter from Congressman Steny Hoyer to the DEA, written in March 2024, had not yielded a response; he said he sought a temporary workaround with DEA staff while the agency continued to pursue final certification. Smith said the combined regulatory and staffing delays cost the company “north of $7,000,000” over six months.

Smith urged delegates to note these challenges as the state considers new providers and licensing processes. He said Alpass has research partnerships (including with the University of Pennsylvania) and is in-network with CareFirst and TRICARE for veterans services, and that a planned third-floor veterans unit would provide targeted programming for military members.

Delegate Patterson thanked Smith and suggested a private follow-up meeting with delegation members to discuss potential state and federal support. No formal action was taken on Jan. 24; Smith asked principally to raise awareness about regulatory barriers for new treatment providers.

Ending: Delegation members encouraged to meet privately with Alpass leadership; Smith requested the delegates’ assistance in identifying regulatory or legislative fixes that would reduce startup risk for future providers.","Alpass Wellness told the Southern Maryland delegation that state and federal licensing processes, staffing rules and a pending DEA certification delayed patient care and cost the company millions; the facility treats detox and residential patients and is working with TRICARE and CareFirst.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370692,"Tri-County Community Action warns Hughesville offices closed by mold, seeks funds for repairs",277,202000,479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b&start=202&end=479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150945-db66af8d778d89a5cb95eeeec257d52b/thumbnail_202000.jpg","/articles/6370692/Maryland/Tri-County-Community-Action-warns-Hughesville-offices-closed-by-mold-seeks-funds-for-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370692-c127ada9f0a3fc3d81a664cb909d5889/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156576&Signature=GKbrDo4gqJZ1ej0W8dj4E~slnGShCbonubePMwNdcGRU8OIcs9aQb5pkoBX04p-6yCm0qG86aXxFhhCh7ikgq93aeFHUpFTnR26tjolTKn-vmfLORe30~~ohWsDcxu~b6NcZshgyFK-Bn6s5e9BsZO0tPRcsj8as7mqGAPqqmXW6F5X-LJN-hbBH25qpSi0hzSaeOA1WAr2x6IMEJw0GNoLsACYRV3mefgkUaui6JXAE0a1wTIjRf5wCY7Q5mF9Klu62N-WGFyxOH-z6Pl2m0a2qqjUEef~PAt-1n6nr~ldSQezUCraeMhFOmSE0HN11kIi5dLRhGeWg78AnPm9S7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Southern Maryland Delegation meeting on Jan. 24, 2025, representatives of Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action said the agency’s Hughesville office at 8383 Old Leonardtown Road has been abruptly closed because of major mold problems and that it needs funding to repair and reopen the facility.

The building, constructed in 1946 and about 8,000 square feet, contains 41 residential units upstairs and offices and program space downstairs, according to remarks by Doctor Michael Young, a representative of the agency. Young said a fall engineering estimate puts immediate remediation and renovation at about $800,000, but he warned that costs would likely rise if the agency retains residential use upstairs because upgrades would need to meet current building codes — potentially requiring sprinklers, new mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, a firewall and ADA compliance — and also must factor in the property’s status in a historic-preservation area.

The agency provides housing counseling, emergency assistance, energy assistance, affordable housing and case management across Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Young told the delegation that in fiscal 2024 the agency served about 24,000 households — 11,200 from Charles County, 8,000 from St. Mary’s County and 5,000 from Calvert County — “representing about 83,317 individuals” who used the agency’s services.

Young said the agency lost an earlier federal funding opportunity through the Office of Head Start because of timing and construction delays and that the mold discovery in the fall forced an abrupt closure of the Hughesville site. He asked the delegation for help identifying resources to cover planning, design, remediation, renovation and equipping of the building.

Senator Jack Jackson (State Senator) and several delegates asked for additional financial documentation and pledged to visit the facility. Senator Jackson said the delegation wants a strategy that will address the agency’s financial foundations while helping restore services. Delegate Edith Patterson, who convened the meeting, encouraged members to visit the three local facilities and requested that Young share the videos and materials from previous site visits.

No formal vote or funding commitment was made at the Jan. 24 meeting; members said they would continue discussions and requested updated cost estimates and supporting documents from the agency. Young indicated the agency is working to secure updated construction numbers after losing its earlier consultant.

The delegation discussion made clear the agency’s operations across three counties are disrupted while staff and some services have been relocated; members repeatedly urged prompt information-sharing and site visits to better assess options.

Ending: The delegation did not adopt a resolution or pledge specific funding on Jan. 24. Members asked the agency for updated cost estimates and documentation and said they would consider follow-up meetings and facility visits to determine possible state or federal support.","Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action told the Southern Maryland delegation its Hughesville facility closed after major mold was found and that an architect estimated roughly $800,000 for immediate remediation; full residential upgrades could cost more because of current building-code and historic-preservation requirements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Transportation Association explains SB 20 and asks delegation to back letter on steadying local transit funding

Senator Van Hollen warns of federal personnel changes, outlines pending funds for Indian Head burn center and SMRT

Catholic Charities describes family shelter demand, urges support for emergency-shelter certification bill

Alpass Wellness describes long regulatory delays and heavy startup costs opening La Plata treatment center

Tri-County Community Action warns Hughesville offices closed by mold, seeks funds for repairs