Those who are are parents of young children probably know by now that the only childcare centers that are open in the state are those which have been approved to care for the children of those deemed essential personnel.

If you are an essential employee who must work, you may be eligible for state subsidized childcare during this crisis. Click here to access a copy of the application parents need to complete in order for the daycare provider to consider them essential personnel.

The Maryland Department of Education has an updated list of childcare centers. Click here to visit earlychildhood

Due to concerns regarding the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus which causes COVID-19, Maryland has made the District 7 special election a vote-by-mail-only election. This is to fill the seat vacated by the unfortunate passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings in the fall of 2019.

The State Board of Elections plans to mail every eligible voter in district 7 their mail-in ballot by late March. If you have not yet received your ballot, or want to check to make sure your information is correct and up-to-date with the board of elections, please reach out to your county or city local board of elections

The efforts to #flattenthecurve of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, meant that the General Assembly suspended the Maryland legislative session in mid-March and this has increased the speed at which the legislature has worked to pass their most important bills. The Blueprint bill, commonly referred to as Kirwan, passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now waits on Governor Hogan’s desk for his signature. This landmark bill overhauls Maryland’s education system first by demanding greater state and local spending on education. BTU executive board member Corey Gaber

The union’s legislative arm is strongest when members are the advocates lobbying for themselves. Legislators listen with a closer ear and a more compassionate heart when public employees share their experiences from their worksites. Members of AFT Healthcare-Maryland did just that when they took to Annapolis to lobby their legislators on important legislation that would positively affect the pay of a number of state health care professionals.

One piece of legislation is for Pay Rates and Staffing Requirements (HB1474/SB693). The union is grateful that state Sen. Guy Guzzone, who is the

By emergency proclamation of the Governor, the 2020 Presidential Primary Election has been postponed to June 2, 2020. This election will be primarily a “vote by mail” election. This means that ballots will automatically be mailed to all eligible voters. You should receive your ballot in early to mid May. You do not need to ask for a ballot to receive one. They will mail to the address they have on file. If you need to have it mailed to a different address, or if you want to check what address they have for you, visit https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/

• To reduce the risk of