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An Introduction to Your Elected Officials

Our L.E.G. advocacy network focuses primarily on the state level. Information and links to Maryland elected officials can be found here:

Maryland General Assembly Governor of Maryland

OVERVIEW

Maryland Executive Branch

The Executive branch implements and enforces Maryland’s laws and provides executive direction to government. Its chief officer is the Governor. The State Constitution gives the Governor broad powers to organize and run State government and requires the Governor to submit each year to the General Assembly a balanced budget for State spending.

The current Governor of Maryland, Martin O’Malley, was elected in November 2006 and inaugurated in January 2007. Maryland’s Lt. Governor is Anthony G. Brown.

The Maryland General Assembly

On the state level, you are typically represented by four legislators in the General Assembly — three members of the House of Delegates and one State Senator. The General Assembly makes laws for the State, may levy taxes, and may reduce or restrict the budget proposed each year by the Governor. You are invited to get to know your legislators by reading about them, calling, emailing, or visiting their offices to introduce yourself.

The Maryland General Assembly has served nearly continuously from Maryland’s founding in 1634. For over 370 years, the Maryland General Assembly has consisted of citizen legislators — part-time elected officials who live and work in their communities.

General Assembly Facts

188 members
47 Senators
141 Delegates
Maryland is divided into 47 legislative districts
About 2,500-3,000 pieces of legislation are introduced each year — only about 25% pass
90-day session (with occasional special session), mid-January through mid-April
Much of the work of the General Assembly takes place in committees, which are organized by policy areas (see committees below)

Senate committees

House of Delegates committees

The presiding officer appoints each legislator to one of these committees.