Thursday, June 6, 2013

PRESS RELEASE: Rob Garagiola Explains Reasons for Retiring from Senate // PLUS: Robin Ficker & Son Running in D15

This morning Maryland Juice received the following press release from State Senator Rob Garagiola's office discussing his looming resignation from public office:

PRESS RELEASE

Statement from Senate Majority Leader Garagiola on his
Resignation from the Maryland Senate

"I have expressed to Governor O'Malley and Senate President Miller that after careful consideration I am resigning from the state Senate on September I, 2013," said Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola (D-Montgomery).

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve in the state Senate, and represent District 15 and Montgomery County," stated Garagiola. "What I have enjoyed most about my many years of public service is the difference I was able to make through the people I was able to help, the policies I affected that helped make Maryland the best place to live, and the friends I have made."

"For nearly 20 years, most of my life has been dedicated to public service of varying forms, and I'm ready to start the next chapter" said Garagiola.

"I want to spend more quality time with my children," Garagiola said. Senator Garagiola has three children, a boy and two girls, ages 15, 13, and 12. "It is time for me to be a father first for them and I realize as I watch them grow and become young adults that I won't be able to get this time back. I look forward to being extremely involved in their lives, which I have not been able to do while in public service."

This year, Senator Garagiola helped spearhead passage of a major transportation revenue bill which was lauded as crucial toward alleviating congestion; he previously served on a Blue Ribbon Commission to address transportation revenue shortfalls. He also helped lead the effort to pass off-shore wind legislation; finish enactment in Maryland of the Affordable Care Act as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee on the Senate Finance Committee; and enact legislation establishing a new scholarship program for career and volunteer firefighters.

In past years, Senator Garagiola authored numerous bills concerning the promotion of solar energy - many in the industry credit Garagiola with putting Maryland on the map as a leading solar energy state. He also founded and served as Co-Chair of the Legislative Veterans Caucus where he authored Maryland's version of the GI bill for Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans, which covers 50% of the their higher education costs.

Senator Garagiola was elected to the Maryland Senate in 2002. He became the Chair ofthe Senate Democratic Caucus in 2007 where he helped develop Senate legislative priorities for four years and re-elect all incumbent Senate Democrats in 2010 along a with a pick-up of two Democratic Senate seats. In 2011, Garagiola was tapped to be the Senate Majority Leader. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Garagiola served as a senior Congressional staffer to U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) from 1994-98. He also served as an airborne soldier in the u.s. Army Reserve from 1995-2003.

He looks to remain active in Democratic politics.

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Meanwhile, anti-tax activist Robin Ficker is planning on running for Garagiola's Senate seat, and his son Flynn is apparently running for District 15 House of Delegates! The following mailer was sent to District 15 voters this week:

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