The League of Women Voters of the United States has a position advocating that governments at all levels should make available sufficient funds for housing programs, and affordable housing is one of LWVMD’s legislative agenda.

The most important housing bill of this legislative session is being heard this week in the Senate Education, Health and Environment Affairs and Budget and Taxation Committees and the House Environmental Affairs and Ways and Means Committees. It is important that you contact your Senators and Delegates on these committees to tell them that you strongly support this bill. Tell them that the Maryland Affordable Investment Trust legislation is very important for the future of affordable housing in Maryland.

The Maryland Affordable Investment fund (SB 302 and HB 512) is probably one of the most significant pieces of housing legislation to be considered by the General Assembly. The bill will create a dedicated revenue source for affordable housing which will support and strengthen the existing state housing programs and provide incentives to encourage greater local government planning and funding for affordable housing. The Investment Fund enjoys broad-based support among virtually every group and organization involved in affordable housing. Thirty-eight other states have housing trust funds, and it is time for Maryland to demonstrate its commitment to housing by providing a stable, consistent funding source.

• House Environmental Matters Maggie McIntosh, chair (410) 841-3990, (301) 858-3990, James E. Malone, Jr., Vice-Chair (410) 841-3378, (301) 858-3378 Saqib Ali, Pamela G. Beidle, Elizabeth Bobo, Joseph C. Boteler III, Rudolph C. Cane, Alfred C. Carr, Jr. Virginia P. Clagett Barbara A. Frush Cheryl D. Glenn Anne Healey Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. Tom Hucker Stephen W. Lafferty Doyle L. Niemann H. Wayne Norman, Jr. Anthony J. O'Donnell Tanya Thorton Shewell Richard A. Sossi Dana M. Stein Paul S. Stull Michael H. Weir, Jr.

• House Ways and Means Appointed by House Speaker: Sheila E. Hixson, Chair (410) 841-3469, (301) 858-3469 Ann Marie Doory, Vice-Chair (410) 841-3476, (301) 858-3476 Joseph R. Bartlett Kumar P. Barve Jon S. Cardin D. Page Elmore C. William Frick Ronald A. George James W. Gilchrist Carolyn J. B. Howard Jolene Ivey J. B. Jennings Anne R. Kaiser Susan W. Krebs Peter F. Murphy John A. Olszewski, Jr. Craig L. Rice Justin D. Ross Melvin L. Stukes Frank S. Turner Jay Walker
• Senate Budget and Tax Committee Ulysses Currie, Chair (410) 841-3127, (301) 858-3127 Edward J. Kasemeyer, Vice-Chair (410) 841-3653, (301) 858-3653 David R. Brinkley James E. DeGrange, Sr. George C. Edwards Verna L. Jones Nancy J. King Rona E. Kramer Richard S. Madaleno, Jr. Nathaniel J. McFadden Donald F. Munson Douglas J. J. Peters James N. Robey J. Lowell Stoltzfus Robert A. (Bobby) Zirkin
• Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Joan Carter Conway, Chair (410) 841-3145, (301) 858-3145 Roy P. Dyson, Vice-Chair (410) 841-3673, (301) 858-3673 Richard F. Colburn Janet Greenip David C. Harrington Andrew P. Harris Michael G. Lenett Paul G. Pinsky James C. Rosapepe