We are just over 1/3 of the way through my first Legislative Session here in Annapolis, and I wanted to let you know how it's going. It's so exciting to be a part of making laws that affect the whole state, keeping a particular eye on how everything affects citizens of the 47th Legislative District.

This whole experience has been like high school civics in 3-D. It's one thing to think back to my teacher's explanation of how a bill becomes law, but it's another thing altogether to be a part of that sausage-making operation. I have filed three bills this session.

One is a local bill, which means it only affects Prince George's County. It raises the marriage license fee by $15, and that money will go to the Family Crisis Center, which helps victims of domestic violence.

The next bill has to do with campaign finance filings, and is pretty boring but helpful to candidates. It let's those who raise or spend less than $1,000 by the filing deadline to sign an affidavit to that effect and not have to file an entire report.

The last bill helps foster children be adopted by extending their eligibility to the Flex Fund, which helps pay for counseling and other needs the foster family can't afford. The hearing for that bill was February 22nd at 1 p.m. before the Judiciary Committee.

Aside from my own bills, I've been engrossed with bills before Ways and Means Committee. We just voted to put a measure on the ballot to see if voters want to amend the Constitution to allow early voting, and the whole House will vote on that this week. We have also heard bills on the need for a paper trail in elections, and tax credits for solar energy systems, for bio-diesel fuel for school buses, and for fuel-efficient cars.

The difficulty we face is balancing all the good that these credits can do, but recognizing the huge structural deficit ($1.4 billion!) we are up against.

There's more to tell, but I will save something for next time.

Also, it's time to apply for scholarships, so please call for an application. The scholarships are for those attending Maryland state schools, (including colleges and universities or vocational or technical training).

Please call (301/858-3478) or e-mail me (Jolene.Ivey@house.state.md.us ). I'd love to stay in touch, and hear your thoughts as the session continues.