By This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | Corridor Inc. Staff Writer

Originally published May 2007

     The 2007 Maryland General Assembly welcomed a batch of new legislators to Annapolis. The Baltimore-Washington Corridor, home of Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, was represented by five new Senators and 22 new Delegates, all eager to get their feet wet. With a total of 40 newly elected legislators in the state, the Corridor represented nearly 68 percent of the freshmen class.

     Some were veterans of public service, coming from county councils and government advisory committees and there’s even a former county executive. Others were lawyers, business leaders and entrepreneurs, ready to give back to their community.

     In the battle of the sexes, women made some headway, with eight new female legislators — all delegates — joining the ranks in the Corridor, five of whom represent Prince George’s County. Montgomery County boasted the greatest new blood, with 11 new General Assembly members, including two new senators.

     So after 90 days of policy making and debate, we decided to catch up with some of the newbies and find out how it went.

County: Anne Arundel

Party affiliation: Republican

Committees: Appropriations, health and human resources subcommittee

Name: Rep. Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk

County: Prince George’s/Anne Arundel

Party affiliation: Democrat

Committees: Health and Government Operations, government operations and public health and long-term care subcommittees

Name: Sen. James N. Robey

County: Howard

Party affiliation: Democrat

Committees: Budget and Taxation, health and human services subcommittee

Name: Rep. James W. Gilchrist

County: Montgomery

Party affiliation: Democrat

Committees: Ways and Means, education subcommittee

Schuh: Manager, Schuch Advisory LLC *current job

Peña-Melnyk: City Councilwoman, College Park

Robey: Howard County Executive

Gilchrist: Legislative analyst, Montgomery County’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations

How was your first session?

Schuh: “As a freshman delegate I believe the session was an extraordinary learning experience and one of the most exciting experiences I’ve had in my career.”

Peña-Melnyk: “It was really wonderful. It was very gratifying.”

Robey: “It’s been exciting and challenging.”

Gilchrist: “It went very well. It was a new angle in Annapolis.”

What did you learn?

Schuh: “I come from a business background and had no full appreciation of the nature of the institution, the complexity and scope of operations.  I’ve come to view it as a very well-run, well-organized and effective institution.”

Peña-Melnyk: “The learning curve is really high … You learn the whole process … It’s a balancing act.”

Robey: “It’s tougher than it looks.”

Gilchrist: “The importance of the leadership program and committee system we have.”

Did you have certain expectations going in?

Schuh: “To devote the first year to listening and watching.”

Peña-Melnyk: “No, that’s the best way to live life.”

Robey: “I expected to listen and learn the first year. To establish credibility as someone to be trusted.”

Gilchrist: “No, not a lot of new information. Not a lot of big surprises.”

Number of bills introduced?

Schuh: None

Peña-Melnyk: Five

Robey: Two, withdrew one

Gilchrist: Two

Most significant issue(s) worked on?

Schuh: Budget

Peña-Melnyk: “House Bill 754, the healthcare access bill. It would have given 200,000 people healthcare … It’s unfortunate it didn’t pass the Senate.”

Robey: “The budget. You can’t get away from that.”

Gilchrist: “Personally the tax bill, it took a lot of time … As a group, the clean cars bill.”

Plans for summer break?

Schuh: “Focusing on preparing legislation for the upcoming session and lots of budget work ... Trying to get a short vacation in.”

Peña-Melnyk: “Working on a couple things for next session.”When children are out of school, she will take a vacation.

Robey: “I haven’t had a vacation in three years. We’ll see how the summer goes with the Senate, but I’m planning a trip to the Northwest in August for two weeks.”

Gilchrist: “No big plans, sort of trying to figure that out. My sister lives in New Mexico, I may go there.”

Any hazing?

Schuh: “Don’t know about hazing, but there’s certainly a pecking order. Those of us who are new speak only on rare occasions.”

Peña-Melnyk: “No, everybody is very decent … You have to be slow and steady and patient and just have to work with people.”

Robey: “No, we were treated extremely well and accepted by the staffs and legislators ... It made my job a lot easier.”

Gilchrist: At a committee dinner, all the freshmen were given a beanie hat, which Gilchrist wore through dinner.