Current Events — Putting Some Metrics on Our Legislators?

Probably because of my outreach to legislators in connection with my advocacy for election reform, I get quite a few email newsletters from Maryland’s state delegates and senators and federal representatives and senators.  (At the end of this post is a copy & paste of recent one from Maryland’s US Senator Alsobrooks.)

The newsletters often report on the specific legislation that the legislator has sponsored (or co-sponsored).  That’s good.  You can see what they are working on … and not working on.

Quantity.  What you can’t tell is how that quantity of activity compares to others.  I wonder if my legislators are productive.  How many bills have they sponsored?  What is the page length of their bills?  What are the trends over time? 

Mix.  What % of the bills are for social progress?  Economic progress?  National security?  Etc., etc.

Quality.  Also, what you can’t tell is whether the bills go anywhere … or just “marketing.”  How many of the bills they sponsor make it out of committee?  How many get enacted?  What are the trends over time?

Maybe these are not “perfect” measures of quantity, mix, and quality but hopefully a reasonable, thought-provoking start.

What do you think?  Is this idea worth pursuing with our legislators?  Would it incent them at all … and/or incent them to do better?

Friends and neighbors, I have been in office less than seven months now, and I am excited to share with you the progress we are making on behalf of Marylanders, even in the face of this callous Administration. As you know, prior to being elected United States Senator for Maryland, I was County Executive for Prince George’s County, Maryland. In that role, it was my job to get things done on behalf of the communities I served regardless of the national economic or political climate. That’s why, despite a global pandemic, I got moving, building 10 new schools in three years, with eight more coming out of the ground. I built a cancer center, a mental health and addictions care facility, grew jobs and opportunities, and more. That mission continues to drive me here in the Senate — to deliver tangible benefits to Marylanders, whom I have the profound privilege of representing. Fighting for You in the Senate Since January I have:  Co-led 2 bills signed into law.  Sponsored 6 bills.  Cosponsored 106 bills.  Introduced 23 amendments The GENIUS Act and the Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act are the two bills I cosponsored that have since been signed into law. GENIUS: After cosponsoring the original bill, I negotiated the final version of the GENIUS Act, which created a federal regulatory framework for digital assets. This is critical legislation for a number of reasons. I don’t want Maryland families to live on the margins – I want all of you to be able to build wealth, and live beyond your wildest dreams. Far too often, when there is an emerging market, we wait too long to regulate that market, make it safe for consumers, and accessible for those who should have the chance to access its benefits. I cosponsored this legislation, because I firmly believe it is crucial we develop regulations and consumer protections that foster innovation in the U.S., including for stablecoins.  It’s clear that more and more Americans view the broader digital asset market as a genuine opportunity to build wealth, create jobs, and more. I don’t believe it is the government’s place to advise the public on what and how to invest, but it is our duty to make sure every marketplace has protections and guardrails. This is merely a first step. I look forward to working on further legislation in this space so we can generate more opportunities for Americans to engage in this emerging market should they so choose.   Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act: This legislation allows beauty industry small businesses, such as hair stylists, barbers, and nail technicians, to qualify for the Section 45(B) federal tax credit and provides a safe harbor for these businesses to establish procedures for tipped employees to better report their wages without attracting additional tax liability.  The beauty industry is the second largest tip-based sector but is excluded from the Section 45(B) federal tip tax credit. Currently, the tax credit is only available for the restaurant industry and not the beauty industry. Providing beauty industry small businesses with access to the Section 45(B) credit allows them to hire more employees and decrease their federal tax burden. Small businesses are the backbone of Maryland, the backbone of our country, and this legislation allows Maryland’s small businesses in the beauty industry to flourish. In addition to these two bills I’ve gotten signed into law, I continue to work hard to draft and pass other pieces of legislation to help Marylanders. For example, my Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act would make it easier for business development companies to invest in small – and medium – sized Maryland businesses.  Below are some other highlights from my last several months in office. Jordan McNair Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act Senator Chris Van Hollen and I introduced the Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act in the Senate. U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume (Md.-07) introduced the companion legislation in the United States House of Representatives. This legislation will serve as a lifeline for student athletes and requires college and high school athletic programs to implement heat illness emergency action plans (EAPs) in consultation with local emergency responders, including the operation and use of cold-water immersion equipment. This legislation honors Jordan McNair, who was a freshman on the University of Maryland football team when he collapsed during practice on May 29, 2018 due to heatstroke. Roughly 90 minutes passed before McNair arrived at a nearby hospital in critical condition. He was then airlifted to the University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma Center to receive an emergency liver transplant, but tragically died 2 weeks later. An investigation conducted immediately after Jordan McNair’s death showed the athletic staff did not take aggressive measures to lower his body temperature.  It is long past time that we pass the?Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act and finally ensure student athletes are protected, and college athletic programs implement heat illness emergency action plans and coordinate with local emergency responders. Jordan McNair would be 26 today. We must honor his memory by getting this legislation passed.  You can read the full bill here.   In the Community My office loved mentoring Annicha for Girls Inc.’s Take Our Daughters to Congress Day. Annicha is a Marylander from Washington County, and I was so glad to speak with her and hear her interests. Our future is looking good in the hands of Annicha and all the girls of Girls Inc.   I had a productive discussion with Calvert County educators hearing not only about their successes but also their real concerns about how federal funding losses will impact their students. Education is the great equalizer, and I’ll always stand up for our students and their teachers.  It was good to meet with IBEW Local 26! Maryland’s economic success depends on robust federal support, protected labor standards, and expanded access to apprenticeship and training programs that create good-paying jobs. I will always be a champion for labor rights. I met with Cameron Grove seniors, all of whom expressed anger at this callous Administration and its obsession with harming working people. I told them what I tell every Marylander – I’m in this fight for you.  Honored to join the National Black Prosecutors Foundation Conference to serve as their keynote speaker. Being a domestic violence prosecutor and later State’s Attorney were some of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Thank you to the NBPA and its members – the keepers of justice in an unjust society. Stay Informed  I know these are difficult times. But please know that I will continue fighting for you every step of the way. We will not give up. We will not give in to this Administration, and I ask that you continue to fight alongside us. Please continue to reach out to us. You can call the office, connect with us, or find resources for those who have been laid off at  alsobrooks.senate.gov.   You can also follow us on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, and X.  We are in this TOGETHER.   Sincerely, Angela D. Alsobrooks United States Senator