Tenure

Member of the Senate since 2007. Sworn in on September 5, 2007.

Current Assignments

2020 Majority Leader

2007 Budget and Taxation Committee (Chair 2019-20)

2021 Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2021 Chair, Education, Business, and Administration Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2019 Rules Committee

2019 Executive Nominations Commttee

2019 Legislative Policy Committee

2017 Spending Affordability

2017 Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics

2007 Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families (Chair, 2008-2019)(2020 ex oficio)

2015 Joint Committee on Legislative Information Technology and Open Government

2013 Joint Committee on Gaming Oversight (Senate Chair, 2014-2019)

2023 Chair, Program Approval Process Workgroup

2018 Maryland Veterans Caucus

2003 Women Legislators of Maryland

2018 Maryland Veterans Caucus

2018 Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus

2024 Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus

Past Senate Service

Assistant Deputy Majority Leader, 2014-2016; Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2011-2014; Chair, Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee, 2022; Special Joint Legislative Committee to Select the State Treasurer, 2023, 2021; Assessment and Funding of School Facilities Workgroup, 2019-2021; Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, 2016-2019; Chair, Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2015-2019; Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2008-2019; Health, Education and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2008-2010; Vice Chair, Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-2012; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2007-2009; Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government, 2011-2014; Joint Covid-19 Response Workgroup, 2020; Workgroup to Study the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission, 2019; 21st Century School Facilities Commission, 2016-2017; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2015; Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 6, Montgomery County, 2014-2018.

Past House Service 2003-2007

Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2007; Chair, Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2007; House Chair, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2007; Deputy Majority Whip, 2006-2007; Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2007; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2003-2007; Tax and Revenue Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2004-2006; Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Data Systems, 2004-2006; Children and Youth Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2004; Election Law Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2003-2004; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2001.

Public Service

Workgroup for Improving the Academic Approval Process, 2023-; National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, 2021-; Workgroup on the Assessment and Funding of School Facilities, 2021-; Board of Directors, University of Maryland Medical System, 2018-2019; Commission to Review Maryland's Use of Assessments and Testing in Public Schools, 2015-2017; Education Commission of the States, Maryland Senate Representative, 2015-; State Early Childhood Advisory Council, 2014-; Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2014-2016; State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board, 2013-; P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland, 2010-2021; Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission, 2008-2010; State Plan for Postsecondary Education Work Group, 2008-2009; Chair, Education Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures (Member, 2005), 2008-; Education Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education, 2007; Transportation Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007; Land Use and Transportation Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007; Co-Chair, Task Force on School Safety, 2006-2007; Montgomery County Delegation, 2003-2007; Bi-County Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2003-2007; Governor's Commission on Quality Education in Maryland, 2004-2005; Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 1994-2002; President, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 2000-2001, 1997-1998; Chair, Audit Committee, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 1998; Vice President, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County, 1996-1997; Policy Committee, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County; Chair, Subcommittee on Long-Range and Strategic Planning, Board of Education, Representing District 1, Montgomery County.

Memberships

Maryland Democratic Business Caucus (Steering Committee), 2005-; Maryland Green Caucus, 2003-; Women Legislators of Maryland (President, 2013-2014; Secretary, 2009-2011; 2nd Vice Pres., 2011-2012; President-elect, 2012-2013), 2003-; Board of Directors, Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children, 2001-; Advisory Board, "Care for Kids," Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County, 1999-; Board of Directors, Montgomery Village Foundation, 1991-1996; President, Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), 1993-1994; President and Coordinator, Gaithersburg Meals on Wheels, 1982-1992.

Awards

John R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow, Salisbury University, 2018; First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2017; Maryland's Top 100 Women, The Daily Record, 2014; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2008-2010; Municipal Super Star, Maryland Municipal League, 2009.

Biographical Information

Born, Niagara Falls, New York, October 7, 1949; LaSalle High School, Niagara Falls, New York; Niagara County Community College, 1967-69; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Trecor, Inc. (a family-owned consulting and forensic engineering company), 1987-; Married; three daughters; two grandchildren.