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Brian Feldman (politician)

Brian Jeffrey Feldman (born February 4, 1961) is an American politician and a member of the Maryland Senate representing District 15. He previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 15.[1]

Brian Feldman
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 15th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 12, 2013
Appointed byMartin O'Malley
Preceded byRobert J. Garagiola
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 15th district
In office
January 8, 2003 – September 12, 2013
Preceded byMark Shriver
Richard A. La Vay
Succeeded byDavid Fraser-Hidalgo
Personal details
Born
Brian Jeffrey Feldman

(1961-02-04) February 4, 1961 (age 63)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationPennsylvania State University (BS)
University of Pittsburgh (JD)
Johns Hopkins University (MA)
OccupationAttorney
Signature

Background

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Feldman was born in Pittsburgh, where he graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. He attended Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1983, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1986. Feldman later attended Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in government in 2000.[1]

After graduating from law school, Feldman worked as an attorney and certified public accountant for Price Waterhouse until 1988, when he began working as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice Tax Division.[1][2] He has worked as an adjunct professor for Johns Hopkins University since 2006, and for the University of Maryland, College Park since 2019.[1]

In the legislature

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Feldman was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 8, 2003.[1]

In June 2013, state senator and then-Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Garagiola announced that he would resign from the Maryland Senate on September 1.[3] Feldman applied to fill the vacancy[4] and faced no formal opposition in the selection process following the withdrawal of his opponents.[5] On September 10, 2013, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee voted unanimously to nominate Feldman to fill the vacancy left by Garagiola.[6] He was appointed to the Maryland Senate by Governor Martin O'Malley on September 12, 2013.[7] Feldman successfully ran for election to a full term in the Maryland Senate in 2014, defeating perennial candidate Robin Ficker in the general election.[8]

Committee assignments

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Feldman during a testimony in the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee 
Feldman has served as the chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee since 2023
Maryland Senate[1]
  • Chair, Education, Energy and the Environment Committee, 2023–present
  • Member, Rules Committee, 2023–present
  • Member, Workers Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight Committee, 2015–present
  • Executive Nominations Committee, 2019–present
  • Legislative Policy Committee, 2019–present
  • Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2019–present
  • Senate Chair, Joint Electric Universal Service Program Work Group, 2020–present
  • Member, Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, 2014
  • Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology, 2014–2018
  • Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2015–2018 (member, 2014–2018)
  • Member, Marijuana Legalization Work Group, 2019
  • Vice-Chair, Finance Committee, 2019–2022 (member, 2013–2022; property & casualty subcommittee, 2015–2017; chair, transportation subcommittee, 2015–2016; chair, health subcommittee, 2017–2018; chair, energy & public utilities subcommittee, 2019–2022; member, health & long-term care subcommittee, 2019–2022)
Maryland House of Delegates[1]
  • Member, Economic Matters Committee, 2003–2013 (business regulation subcommittee, 2003–2010; corporations work group, 2003–2006; property & casualty insurance subcommittee, 2003–2013; consumer protection & commercial law subcommittee, 2007–2010; chair, banking, economic development, science & technology subcommittee, 2007–2013)
  • Medical Malpractice Insurance Work Group, 2004
  • Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005–2011
  • House Chair, Joint Technology Oversight Committee, 2007–2009
  • Member, Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2007–2013
  • House Chair, Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, 2009–2013
  • Member, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2011–2013
  • Regional Revitalization Work Group, 2013–present

Political positions

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Environment

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During the 2018 legislative session, Feldman introduced the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which would require that half of Maryland's power comes from renewable sources by 2030.[9] The bill was reintroduced in 2019,[10] during which it passed and became law without Governor Larry Hogan's signature.[11]

In 2021, Feldman criticized a Hogan administration proposal that sought to scale back the state's vehicle emissions testing program, later amending a bill to limit the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration's ability to implement changes to its emissions inspection program.[12]

Health care

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Feldman speaks at a Maryland Health Care for All! news conference, 2023

During the 2018 legislative session, Feldman introduced the Protect Maryland Health Care Act, a bill that would reinstate the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) individual shared responsibility provision following its repeal under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The bill would combine the money collected under the mandate with federal tax credits to pay for health care coverage for uninsured individuals.[13] The bill failed to move out of committee, and was reintroduced in 2019,[14] during which it was amended to create a guide on state tax forms to help uninsured individuals sign up for Medicaid or subsidized health plans. The amended bill was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on May 13, 2019.[15]

During the 2019 legislative session, Feldman introduced a bill to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which would have the power to set upper payment limits on select prescription drugs.[16]

In December 2019, after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down several provisions of the ACA in its ruling in California v. Texas, Feldman promised to enshrine as many of the ACA's provisions into state law as he could.[17] During the 2020 legislative session, he introduced and passed legislation to codify the ACA's consumer protections provisions, including cost sharing limits, pre-existing conditions protections, and keeping dependents on a parents' health insurance plan up to age 26.[18]

During the 2020 legislative session, Feldman introduced a bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to get vaccinated without parental permission.[19]

During the 2021 legislative session, Feldman introduced a bill banning medical debt collection agencies from garnishing the wages or placing liens on homes of people who owed medical debt, and limiting payments made toward medical debt at five percent of a person's income. The bill unanimously passed the Maryland General Assembly[20] and became law without Governor Larry Hogan's signature.[21] Also in 2021, he introduced a bill to create a pilot program to allow young adults to enroll for health insurance coverage for as little as $1 a month. The bill passed and became law without Hogan's signature.[22] In 2023, Feldman introduced a bill to extend this program.[23]

Israel

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In November 2023, Feldman and eight other state senators signed a joint letter that threatened to defund immigrants rights group CASA de Maryland because it had called for an immediate ceasefire in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and condemned the "utilization of US tax dollars to promote the ongoing violence."[24]

Marijuana

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During the 2020 legislative session, Feldman introduced a bill that would allow students with authorized medical cannabis cards to take medical cannabis on school grounds.[25]

During the 2021 legislative session, Feldman introduced a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, taxed at 10 percent and gradually increasing to 20 percent by 2027, and decriminalize possession of marijuana up to four ounces for adults 21 years or older.[26] The bill failed to move out of committee.[27] The bill was reintroduced in 2022, during which it passed the Maryland Senate on a voice vote.[28]

During the 2022 legislative session, Feldman introduced legislation to ban the sale of Delta-8. He later amended the bill to limit its sale to adults aged 21 and older.[29]

During the 2023 legislative session, Feldman introduced and passed a bill to legalize adult use cannabis in Maryland and create a regulatory framework for Maryland's cannabis industry.[30]

National politics

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During the 2019 legislative session and following the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown, Feldman introduced a bill to provide temporary assistance to "essential" government employees during government shutdowns. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on March 26, 2019.[31]

In 2008, Feldman successfully ran for delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Maryland's 8th congressional district, pledged to U.S. Senator Barack Obama.[32] In July 2019, he endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president.[33]

Social issues

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In 2017, Feldman introduced a bill that would prohibit ticket sales companies from restricting the resale of tickets to concerts or sporting events.[34]

During the 2019 legislative session, Feldman introduced a bill to deregulate the state's craft brewery industry, increasing the limits on how many barrels a brewery could produce a year and loosening franchise restrictions on small breweries.[35] The bill passed unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[36]

During the 2023 legislative session, Feldman introduced and passed a bill that would require four-year public universities to develop a plan to provide students with access to emergency contraception and abortion services.[37]

Transportation

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In 2018, Feldman introduced the Maryland Metro/Transit Funding Act, a bill that would pay $167 million to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as part of a cost sharing agreement between Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia to help the agency pay for new rail cars and maintenance.[38] The bill was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on April 25, 2018.[39]

In July 2019, Feldman criticized Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn's decision to withhold $55.6 million in funding from WMATA and questioned whether the state had the legal authority to withhold these funds.[40]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 15 Democratic primary election, 2002[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Feldman 7,290 29.6
Democratic Kathleen Dumais 6,331 25.7
Democratic John Young 5,887 23.9
Democratic Jinhee Wilde 5,104 20.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 15 election, 2002[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jean B. Cryor (incumbent) 20,584 18.7
Democratic Brian Feldman 13,174 17.9
Democratic Kathleen Dumais 19,246 17.5
Democratic John Young 17,358 15.8
Republican Bill Askinazi 16,693 15.2
Republican Mary Kane 16,579 15.0
Write-in 42 0.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 15 election, 2006[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Dumais (incumbent) 25,781 21.6
Democratic Brian Feldman (incumbent) 25,760 21.6
Democratic Craig L. Rice 20,202 17.0
Republican Jean B. Cryor (incumbent) 20,050 16.8
Republican Brian Mezger 14,112 11.8
Republican Chris Pilkerton 13,174 11.1
Write-in 55 0.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 15 election, 2010[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Dumais (incumbent) 23,476 20.7
Democratic Brian Feldman (incumbent) 23,120 20.4
Democratic Aruna Miller 21,353 18.9
Republican Scott Graham 15,298 13.5
Republican Sylvia J. Darrow 14,490 12.8
Republican Matthew Mockerman 13,477 11.9
Libertarian Arvin Vohra 1,910 1.7
Write-in 54 0.0
Maryland Senate District 15 Democratic primary election, 2014[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Feldman (incumbent) 7,472 100.0
Maryland Senate District 15 election, 2014[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Feldman (incumbent) 19,925 60.4
Republican Robin Ficker 13,028 39.5
Write-in 44 0.1
Maryland Senate District 15 election, 2018[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Feldman (incumbent) 38,771 72.0
Republican David Wilson 15,000 27.9
Write-in 46 0.1
Maryland Senate District 15 election, 2022[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Feldman (incumbent) 33,264 73.0
Republican David Wilson 12,231 26.9
Write-in 46 0.1

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Brian J. Feldman, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Peck, Louis (January 24, 2020). "Some in Montgomery interested in succeeding Franchot as comptroller". MoCo360. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Wagner, John (June 5, 2013). "Montgomery's Garagiola to resign from Maryland Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Peck, Louis (June 13, 2013). "For District 15, A Political Version Of Musical Chairs". MoCo360. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  5. ^ Peck, Louis (August 25, 2013). "District 15 Senate Candidate Recruited By Minority Groups Withdraws". MoCo360. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  6. ^ Peck, Louis (September 11, 2013). "Former Delegate Gareth Murray Mulls Comeback Attempt in District 16". MoCo360. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  7. ^ Wagner, John (September 12, 2013). "O'Malley appoints Brian Feldman to vacant Montgomery County Senate seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  8. ^ Peck, Louis (November 5, 2014). "Democrats Keep a Lock on Montgomery State Legislative Delegation". MoCo360. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Kurtz, Josh (February 5, 2018). "Advocates See Clean Energy Bill Passing This Year Thanks to Changes in (Political) Climate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (November 26, 2018). "State Lawmakers Will Re-Introduce Clean Energy Jobs Act, With 112 Endorsing Bill So Far". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Kurtz, Josh (May 22, 2019). "Hogan Pans Renewable Energy Bill But Allows It to Become Law; Vows to Go Cleaner in 2020". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Kurtz, Josh (April 10, 2021). "Lawmakers Target Hogan Administration's Proposed Changes to Emissions Testing Program". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  13. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 23, 2018). "Faced With Potential Insurance Crisis, Md. Weighs New Coverage Mandate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Cann, Harrison (November 23, 2018). "Maryland legislators call for health insurance down payment plan". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  15. ^ Wood, Pamela (May 13, 2019). "Do you have health insurance? Gov. Hogan signs law to use tax return question to guide Marylanders to coverage". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  16. ^ DePuyt, Bruce; Gaines, Danielle E. (April 5, 2019). "Legislative Roundup: Prescription Drugs, Regents, Kirwan and More". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  17. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (December 20, 2019). "Md. Activists Vow to Enshrine Obamacare Provisions Now Threatened by Courts". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (October 15, 2020). "What Happens in Md. if the Supreme Court Strikes Down the Affordable Care Act?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  19. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 13, 2020). "Anti-Anti-Vaccination Bill Would Allow Teens to Get Immunized Without Parental Permission". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  20. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 25, 2021). "Consumer Groups Say Medical Debt Bill Is a First Step, But More Is Needed". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "Legislation - SB0514". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  22. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (November 1, 2021). "'Less Than Three Fancy Coffee Drinks': New Program Offers Low-Cost Health Insurance to Young Adults". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  23. ^ Roberts, Angela (January 31, 2023). "Advocates, Maryland lawmakers pitch Health Care for All 2023 legislative agenda". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  24. ^ Thakker, Prem (November 9, 2023). "Maryland Democrats Threaten Funding of Immigrant Rights Group That Called for Gaza Ceasefire". The Intercept. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  25. ^ Anderson, David (February 18, 2020). "Havre de Grace teen to testify on legislation to allow medical cannabis to be administered in schools". The Aegis. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  26. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 4, 2021). "Feldman Pushes Cannabis Legalization, Ferguson Co-Signs". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  27. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (September 9, 2021). "House Panel on Cannabis Legalization Begins Work Toward an Equitable Industry". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  28. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 31, 2022). "With a Key Deadline Looming, the Senate Approves Marijuana Legalization Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  29. ^ Bologna, Giacomo (May 12, 2022). "There is a rapidly expanding, virtually unregulated competitor to medical cannabis in Maryland. It's called Delta-8". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  30. ^ Ford, William J. (February 28, 2023). "Lierman transition team recommendations: improve customer service, boost minority business participation". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  31. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 26, 2019). "Federal Shutdown Protection Bill Is First Signed Into Law This Session". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  32. ^ "Official 2008 Presidential Primary Election results for Male Delegates and Alternate to the Democratic National Convention". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  33. ^ Broadwater, Luke (July 29, 2019). "Biden announces 29 Maryland endorsements". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  34. ^ Dresser, Michael (March 2, 2017). "Bill opposed by Ticketmaster aims to make event tickets freely transferable in Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  35. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Kurtz, Josh (March 18, 2019). "Legislative Notebook: Lawmakers Roll Out the Barrel for Craft Brewers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  36. ^ "Legislation - HB1080". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  37. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 9, 2023). "Gov. Wes Moore supports package of bills to protect abortion services, patient and provider data". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  38. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 3, 2018). "Amazon Headquarters Site Search Provides Boost to Metro Funding Quest". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  39. ^ Metcalf, Andrew (April 25, 2018). "Hogan Signs Metro Funding, Amazon Incentive Package Bills in North Bethesda". MoCo360. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  40. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (July 2, 2019). "Lawmakers Rip Hogan Plan to Withhold $55M from Transit Agency". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  41. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election Official Results: Legislative District 15". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  42. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  43. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 15". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  44. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  45. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  46. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  47. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  48. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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