Issues & Bills

I currently serve as a Deputy Majority Whip in the House and a member of the Economic Matters Committee. I also chair the Montgomery County Delegation’s Economic Development Committee. 

As a first-term legislator, I am humbled to be named “Legislator of the Year” by the Maryland Tech Council and awarded “Public Policy Leadership Award” from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement in 2020, and a “Legislative All Star” by the Maryland Retailers Association three years in a row. 

Bills Passed 

Since taking office in 2019, I’ve been working on making Maryland more competitive, inclusive and sustainable. Thanks to your advocacy and ideas, I have seen a dozen of my bills passed on a broad range of issues, including:

• Creating a Maryland green bank and a clean energy accelerator (HB419)
• Boosting Maryland manufacturing (“Making it in Maryland”) (HB658)
• Growing bio and tech industries and jobs (HB514, HB521, HB654, HB987)
• Removing barriers for small businesses (HB356, HB839)
• Establishing the Governor’s Commission on LGBTQ Affairs (HB130)
• Protecting homecare workers (HB652)
• Establishing a mobile laundry pilot program for the homeless (HB189)
• Fighting Employment Discrimination in State and Local Governments (HB257)

In addition, I have worked with the State Board of Elections to remove language barriers in voter registration for people with limited English proficiency. See BOE’s page for downloadable multilingual registration forms. 

Please see my 2021 End-of-Session Legislative Summary and 2022 End-of-Session Legislative Summary for details. Your input and ideas are always valued.

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Education

Where I Stand

As a proud parent of a graduate from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), I know quality education is still the key to success for most Americans, the bedrock of our community’s quality of life, and the best incentive to attract workforce and employers. Currently, 1 in 3 MCPS students receive free and reduced-price meals (FARMs), but we continue to operate under the assumption that our demographics are the same as generations ago. As your representative in Annapolis, I will strongly advocate for our changing community needs to expand opportunities and at the same time, demand greater accountability to improve our school systems’ overall standing and competitiveness. This includes advocating for expanding magnet programs in Upcounty areas that are seeing explosive growth, making universal Pre-K a statewide priority and supporting our excellent public institutions like Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove to meet our growing industries’ workforce needs.

Transportation

Where I Stand

Transportation is the lifeblood of our economy and community vitality. We need a greater sense of urgency to relieve Upcounty traffic, which requires 21st century infrastructure that serves today’s Montgomery County and our multigenerational lifestyles. Montgomery County’s planned multimodal transportation networks, which include public transit, improved roads and walkable communities to move people and commerce efficiently demands our continued support. We require the State’s support to advance both the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on MD 355 between Bethesda and Clarksburg and the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) that will serve our biotech corridor; continue to improve I-270, and expand MD 355 along the rapidly-growing District 15. Locally, I support and applaud the County’s efforts to expand bikeshare near transit, dense residential areas and major activity centers.

Economy

Where I Stand

We need good jobs near home that match our residents’ diverse educational backgrounds, career aspirations, and a strong tax base to pay for the schools, parks, and roads. With unrivaled human capital and R&D assets, Montgomery County should be a global leader in innovation, entrepreneurship and business vitality. We need smart policies and sensible regulations that stimulate economic activities, grow industries of the future, and make it easier to start and grow businesses. Examples include targeted tax credits, a state matching fund for federal SBIR grant recipients, removal of barriers for small businesses, and partnership with industries to invest in workforce that leads to middle-wage and high wage-jobs. We also need to embrace our vast Ag Reserve for food production and exporting, ag tourism, and the growing craft brewery, distillery and winery industries in this national movement for “grow-local,” “source-local” and healthier eating food economy. I have spent the last few years helping Montgomery County become more competitive and revamp our economic development work. Now I want to help all of Maryland embark on the same forward-looking path and be bolder and hungrier in pursuing economic opportunities.

Environment

Where I Stand

Environmental stewardship and job creation can work together to address the global climate change crisis. As a Delegate, I will advocate for measures to accelerate Maryland’s investments in clean and renewable energy and in workforce development that helps grow the “green” industries of the future. Locally, our vast agricultural reserve in District 15 makes Montgomery a national model in environmental protection in an urbanizing metropolitan area. The Ag Reserve not only improves air quality and reduces carbon footprint, but also justifies smarter in-fill development that leads to efficient living and smart investments in public transit rather than suburban sprawl. Montgomery County is a community full of environmentally conscious residents and I will bring our concern to the state level.

Inclusiveness

Where I Stand

As an immigrant, I know why America should remain the land of opportunities for all and be a beacon for what is good and just. My passion for justice and equal opportunity is deeply rooted in my struggle to find my place and my voice by overcoming cultural and economic barriers as well as stereotypes along the way. Over the years, I served on the Montgomery County Commission for Women and chaired the Governor’s Commission for Asian American Affairs under Governor O’Malley. I have spoken and written about issues ranging from LGBTQ rights to civil rights and immigrant engagement and led efforts to revamp County government services for people with limited English proficiency. I will work to make our election system more inclusive to all communities, to ensure the rights of all communities to be treated with fairness and dignity, and to advance policies that empower and expand opportunities for all.