By Authority:
Jay Stearman
Treasurer,
People for
Pendergrass

 

Meet Delegate Shane Pendergrass I remember walking into my daughter's elementary school when she was in first grade and asking why she had taken a test while sitting on the floor. I was told that because of overcrowding at Whiskey Bottom Elementary school (now Laurel Woods Elementary) there was no other place for the first graders to take the test. That was not acceptable to me and thus began my adventure in government and politics. I began as a community activist fighting for slower growth and more schools to accommodate our children. As a member of the Howard County Council for eight years, I continued to press for these same priorities. Shane with son Aaron, daughter Cayley, and husband of 31 years, Bill. When I was first elected, my children Cayley and Aaron were ages 7 and 3. I worked hard to maintain a balance between public service and family responsibilities. I am proud of their achievements; Cayley has earned her doctorate in mathematics at UC San Diego and will be teaching at Albion College in Albion, Michigan.  Aaron graduated from Oberlin College in June 2005 with degrees in math and computer science and now works at the Applied Physics Laboratory in the District. After eight years at the County level, I decided to run for a seat the Maryland House of Delegates where I have now served for 12 years. I served 8 years on the Economic Matters Committee where I was as Vice Chair of the Science and Technology Subcommittee. Because of my committee assignments I have developed an interest and expertise in insurance in general, and health insurance in particular, because it is so important to all our families.

Howard County at Heart Initially as a Howard County Council Member and then as a Maryland State Delegate, I have always looked first to the well-being of my constituents. I am committed to environmental protection, both for Howard County and for the state of Maryland. I have worked to ensure that county development progressed at a rational and restrained pace, to provide Howard County with necessary funding for school construction, and to secure funds to establish an incubator program to assist new technology businesses in Howard County. In past sessions, I have sponsored bills to help keep Howard County a great place to live. In 2004, HB 566 placed a 10% cap on increases in the Columbia Association assessments. The following year I introduced HB 522 to enable CA charges to be based upon the most accurate property assessment, rather than the most expensive. Health Care Priorities In 2002 I was assigned to the newly created Health and Government Operations (HGO) Committee because of my interest in and the energy I have focused on healthcare issues. I have co-sponsored a number of healthcare bills that guarantee certain services and rights to patients, including the Patients' Bill of Rights and Fair Share Health Care. In 2001, I sponsored a bill to provide affordable prescription drug coverage to seniors that was ultimately rolled into a successful comprehensive leadership health bill. Currently more than 20,000 senior citizens are benefiting from this prescription drug plan. In 2002 I introduced successful legislation that was instrumental in halting a proposed conversion of CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield to for-profit status (HB 1254). In the 2003 legislative session, I introduced legislation establishing increased oversight of the CareFirst Board of Directors (HB 1179). The bill passed unanimously. The next year, I was one of nine House members selected to participate in a workgroup looking at the Medical Malpractice Issue. Our work resulted in HB 1299 entitled Medical Malpractice Reforms and Task Force. In 2006 I successfully sponsored HB 78 which ensures public reporting of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) by including infection rates in the state mandated “Hospital Report Card.” I work hard with people across the state, and am considered a leader on health care issues. I now chair the Insurance Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations (HGO) Committee. I bring that expertise to my other role, one of 2 delegates from the HGO Committee serving on the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) which reviews all regulations promulgated by the administration. As always, I welcome your input should you have concerns or expertise to share.

Delegate Shane Pendergrass, District 13
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 241
Annapolis, MD 21401
(301) 858-3139, (410) 841-3139
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3139
FAX: (410) 841-3409  -  (301) 858-3409
e-mail: shane.pendergrass@house.state.md.us