August 12, 2020 — Annapolis, MD

ELECTION UPDATE

As the pandemic continues to affect our communities, we encourage you to plan ahead for the November elections. This week, Governor Hogan signed a proclamation allowing “voting centers” in each county for registered voters who wish to complete their ballot in-person. The State Board of Elections, which meets today, needs to give final approval. The Washington Post reports the 1,800 precincts would be replaced with approximately 160 voting centers.

If you are concerned about voting in person on November 3, you have two options

• Request a mail-in ballot by Oct. 22
• Vote in-person during the early voting period, Oct. 22-29, 2020.

If you haven’t registered to vote or aren’t sure if you are registered, check here. The Maryland Catholic Conference election webpage also has key dates and links. The Conference has sent Congressional candidates a candidate survey and will post the results by October.

HAVE YOU BEEN COUNTED?

Our nation has taken a census of the population every 10 years since 1790. This year, the pandemic has prevented census workers from following up. As of today, nearly 1 in 3 households in Maryland had not been counted.

The deadline is Sept. 30, 2020

Why does it matter? The census is used to determine congressional representation and federal funding, affecting emergency services, schools, hospitals, SNAP, WIC and other vital programs.

An undercount in Maryland will affect hospitals, schools, social services, and more. The State of Maryland notes a study has found that every person not counted equates to $1,821* in lost federal funding every year ($18,210 over ten years), until the next decennial census occurs in 2030.

Please be counted. If you haven’t filled out a census form for your household, go to my2020census.gov now. It is confidential and only takes a few minutes. The form is available in 13 languages. Get more information about the census at the Maryland Catholic Conference website.

MEET BISHOP LEWANDOWSKI

Join us in congratulating Bishop-designate Bruce Lewandowski, a Redemptorist priest and the beloved pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus parish. A good friend of the Maryland Catholic Conference over the years, he will be ordained an auxiliary bishop on Aug. 18, 2 p.m.

Learn more about him, send him your prayers and greetings, and watch his ordination online here.

SCHOOL RE-OPENING PLANS

Catholic schools have been preparing their reopening plans for the fall, based on detailed reopening guidance from their (arch)dioceses, such as this one from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Plans prioritize health and safety from the State and Centers for Disease Control, and may include in-person, online, or a hybrid reopening approach.

On August 6, the Maryland State Department of Health issued a memorandum regarding the reopening of non-public schools.  The memorandum reads, in part, “The State of Maryland’s position is that all schools, including public school systems and non-public schools, be provided with the individualized opportunity to determine how they are able to comply with the federal and state COVID-19 guidance to reopen safely and protect students and staff. Those determinations should be made in close consultation with the affected schools and local health departments with Maryland Department of Health guidance.”

IN THE NEWS

Tax Free Week

Save money when you shop! Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is happening now! Buy qualified clothing, accessories, footwear, and the first $40 of a backpack in Maryland stores through Aug. 15 and save the 6% Maryland tax. Download this graphic with details.

The Maryland Catholic Conference has advocated for tax-free holidays over the years, particularly to assist the tens of thousands of lower and middle-income students educated in our Catholic schools.

Health insurance for uninsured Marylanders

Maryland has extended the special enrollment period for uninsured Marylanders until Dec. 15, 2020. If you have lost or do not have health insurance, or know someone in that situation, please visit the Maryland Health Connection website or call 855-642-8572 (weekdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.).

Police reform and accountability

The legislature’s bipartisan Workgroup to Address Police Reform and Accountability has continued to meet virtually. Here is a link to the online meeting held in July. The Maryland Catholic Conference will continue to monitor this topic.

Federal COVID-19 assistance

On Aug. 8, President Donald Trump signed executive orders with new coronavirus measures. The orders would:

• Provide $400/week in unemployment benefits, though states would be required to pay 25%
• Consider protections for renters and homeowners from eviction
• Defer the payroll tax for those earning about $104,000/year through Dec. 31, 2020
• Extend student loan relief for three more months

As of today, these new measures were being reviewed by states and Congress.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

The Catholic Advocacy Network gives you a voice on important issues in Maryland. You will receive occasional alerts on issues that matter to you. Learn more and join our network.

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