Republicans in the House of Delegates reelected their leadership team to guide the caucus into a year where they say the GOP has more sway than ever.
The caucus endorsed House Minority Leader Nic Kipke and Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga Tuesday to continue the roles they won in a 2013 toppling of Republican power in the chamber.
Kipke, an Anne Arundel County Republican, has predicted the 2015 legislative session that opens Wednesday will be more bipartisan than in years past, now that the GOP picked up several seats and Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan is set to take office.
Republicans knocked off every Democrat in rural Maryland except one on the Eastern Shore. Democrats, who have long dominated Maryland state government, still hold enough votes in both chambers to override any veto.
But the sweep of Republican legislators in some former Democratic strongholds and Hogan's 5 percentage -point victory on promises to cut government spending has shifted the tone in Annapolis. Democrats chose not to hold the large, festive luncheon normally thrown the day before session begins.
“This term we have the highest number of Republicans serving in the House of Delegates in the history of our state," Kipke said in a statement. "Maryland is a great state but we face some significant problems. These are not ‘Republican’ or ‘Democratic’ problems, they impact all of Maryland and we need to work together to solve them.”
The Republican House and Senate caucuses were scheduled to hold their annual luncheon on Tuesday.
Hogan is scheduled to address the both chambers during opening session on Wednesday, a week before he to be sworn in. Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley has been invited to speak to each chamber on Thursday.
from the Dagger and From Del. Kathy Szeliga:
Can you believe it …
The 2015 legislative session begins on Wednesday!
With the holiday season in our rear view mirror, we are barreling into the 2015 legislative session. The next legislative session will run for 90 consecutive days from Wednesday, January 14 through Monday, April 13.
Please consider coming to Annapolis to see your legislature in action. I would be honored to meet with you and make sure you get a tour of our historic buildings. We are proud to have the oldest continuously used state house in the nation! Annapolis is a beautiful town to visit anytime of the year, and especially while the legislature is in session.
Our schedule during session:
Monday – 8 PM session
Tuesday – Thursday – 10 AM session
Friday – 11 AM session
If you’d like to come visit, please email me:
kathy.szeliga@house.state.md.us
Dates & Information You Might Need for Annapolis & Larry Hogan’s Inauguration:
The Maryland General Assembly:
We will be sworn in on Wednesday, January 14 at noon. You are always invited to join us for the festivities. However, with more than 60 new members in the House and Senate, it will be very difficult to find a seat in the gallery to watch the proceedings. The ceremonies are held in the House and Senate chambers, both at noon.
I am honored to be sworn into my second term as your Maryland State Delegate. This is a duty and responsibility I take very seriously.
The Governor:
Larry Hogan will be sworn in as our next governor on Wednesday, January 21.
12:00 pm – Swearing-In Ceremony of Governor Larry Hogan & Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford
Maryland State House
100 State Circle
Parking available at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium Blue Lot
Annapolis, MD
- Free Public Event -
1:30 pm – Public Reception and Receiving Line
State House Rotunda
Annapolis, MD
- Free Public Event -
8:00 pm – Inaugural Gala
Baltimore Convention Center
1 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Cost – $100 per ticket
Saturday, January 24
6:00pm – The People’s Celebration
Sailwinds Park
200 Byrne Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Cost – $25 per ticket
Click Here for a full listing of Hogan events
I hope to see you and one of the celebrations!
Kathy
Delegate Kathy Szeliga
Maryland House of Delegates
Minority Whip
443-570-1555
kathy.szeliga@gmail.com
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