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The District 19 legislative team of Senator Kramer, Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield, Delegate Cullison, and Delegate Vaughn Stewart has been committed to public service of the district and the state over the last four years, each one of us passing legislation that helps residents of our district and our state. We bring a variety of experiences (education, business and the law) to the work and a willingness to work with others to pass good laws. I am proud to be a part of this team and look forward to 4 more years of service with them! Thank you to those who have supported us in the past and we hope that you will support us in this effort as this campaign begins to unfold!

Group photo of Team D19. Pictured from left to right: Senator Ben Kramer, Delegates Bonnie Cullison, Charlotte Crutchfield, and Vaughn Stewart.

Pictured from left to right: Senator Ben Kramer, Delegates Bonnie Cullison, Charlotte Crutchfield, and Vaughn Stewart.

Welcome and thank you for visiting my website. My name is Bonnie Cullison and I have served the residents of District 19 and Maryland for the last 8 years in the House of Delegates. I am grateful to have been re-elected so that I can continue to serve.

I have lived and worked in Montgomery County for 37 years, first as a special educator in the Montgomery County Public Schools and and then as a teacher leader in the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA). I was president of MCEA from 2003—2009. That is when I really learned how essential it is to have all perspectives—all voices– in elected office to make a difference for those who are confronted by barriers at every turn.

I am a proud Democrat — I have worked throughout my adult life to teach, empower and include people of all ages, ethnic and economic backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities. I recognize their inherent dignity, and their right and ability to participate, contribute and thrive in society. It is my deeply held belief in equity that provides the framework for my policy decisions in Annapolis.

My commitment to this work in the House has been recognized—I was appointed a deputy majority whip in my first term and Chair of the Insurance subcommittee in my second. I am known as someone who works well with advocates on all sides of the issue; I have been successful at getting consensus, good policy, and bills passed.

In the last 8 years, I have been fortunate to be a part of some great policy-making that began with understanding and respect for all.

We’ve worked to guarantee continuing health care to Marylanders, extend health care to foster children aging out, expand nurse practitioners roles for greater access, and expand the roles of school-based health centers. I am acutely aware of disability and accessibility issues, and have successfully worked on those policies as well.

We’ve passed some of the strongest gun control laws in the country, including this year’s ban on bump stocks, preventing the transformation of rifles into machine guns. We also passed a red flag law, enabling the removal of guns from those who are likely to harm themselves or others.

I’m proud to have been part of passing Maryland’s Marriage Equality Act and the lead House sponsor of the anti-conversion bill just signed by the governor. That bill protects LGBTQ youth from being harmed by being considered “broken.”

And we all can be proud of the fact that Maryland maintained its national AAA bond rating through one of the worst recessions in history. We did it by making really tough budget decisions in Annapolis, but always with an eye toward taking care of people.

I have been a member of the District 19 community for 20 years. I am committed to providing opportunities for a good quality of life for everyone, not only here in Aspen Hill, but throughout the state.

Please browse this site to find out more about my legislative priorities, my background, or to volunteer or contact us!

Again, thank you for visiting the website. If you have any questions, please contact me at the tab provided here.

 

PS. Click here to read my End of Session Wrap-Up Letter.

Bonnie’s 2022 Endorsements: 

 

OTHER NEWS:

The Maryland Youth Advisory Council (MYAC)

Grant Opportunity for Youth Advocacy

The Maryland Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) is offering grants to youth-led/adult supported organizations to support advocacy work in areas that can support communities. The applications are due on January 5th, so it is necessary to get started.  

The Council offered virtual information sessions. Check out the recorded session to learn more about the Council and the application process or go to goccp.maryland.gov/myac-grant-project.

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Maryland Commission on Caregiving’s Family Caregiver Survey

Family Caregiver Survey

Please help inform legislative policy decisions by completing this survey, if it applies to you: tinyurl.com/Caregiver-Survey.

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Resources

Explore food assistance resources in Montgomery County here or call 311. Learn more about other types of assistance resources such as energy and water assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, and more by calling 211 or visiting 211MD.org.

Montgomery County Foor Resources
MOCO Food Resources
211md.org
211MD.org – 24/7/365
Free COVID-19 Testing
MoCo COVID-19 Testing

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LGBT Caucus SCOTUS Response

Please click the linked image to read the MD LGBTQ+ Caucus statement on recent Supreme Court decisions. If there is a lesson to be learned from these rulings, it is one that future generations will cite as a dismally dark chapter in our nation’s history.

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Important News About Medicaid:

If you are currently a Medicaid recipient, please be sure to make sure you complete the required forms this year. If you know someone who is a Medicaid recipient, please share this information. During the public health emergency annual redetermination of eligibility was not required. The emergency status will end officially this month, so everyone receiving Medicaid benefits must complete the redetermination process. This video will explain how to start the process:

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A New Law to Help Many Marylanders 

Just a few weeks ago, I was proud to stand with Rep. Jamie Raskin, Governor Larry Hogan, Senator Craig Zucker, Senator Malcolm Augustine and Quinton Askew, 211 Maryland, to announce the implementation of the Thomas Bloom Raskin Act. This law, named in memory of Tommy Raskin, who succumbed to depression, is designed to help those folks who are experiencing mental health issues by allowing them to be proactive — so they may not hit that crisis point. The Thomas Bloom Raskin Act (Senate Bill 719/House Bill 812), which took effect July 1st, directed the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to establish the 211 Health Check Program. The proactive mental health phone support program provides a one-on-one connection with a warm, caring specialist trained in suicide prevention and mental health support. In Tommy’s last message he asked his family to take care of each other and those who need help. I believe he would approve of this program, which seeks to do just that — in his name. While the grief of his loss remains, we can take some solace in the fact that he inspired the creation of this program. 

For the most up to date information about the 2-1-1 Health Check Program, please visit: 211md.org/healthcheck. Need help now? Dial 2-1-1 and press 1 to talk with a trained substance abuse professional.   

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Maryland Department of Aging: As many of our older adults take measures to avoid crowds and limit contact with others due to COVID-19, please be reminded of the Senior Call Check program. This program is free to MD residents 65+ and is a daily call to verify your well-being, at a time scheduled at your convenience. Register today or tell a loved one about this program! For more information, call 1-866-50-CHECK. https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check.aspx.

Senior Call Check: 1-866-50-CHECK or register online aging.maryland.gov.

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Authority: Friends of Bonnie Cullison, Pamela M. Pinkett, CPA, CGMA, Treasurer