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Shelly L. Hettleman

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Shelly Hettleman
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 11th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 3, 2020
Appointed byLarry Hogan
Preceded byRobert Zirkin
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 11th district
In office
January 14, 2015 – February 3, 2020
Preceded byJon S. Cardin
Succeeded byLisa Belcastro
Personal details
Born (1964-08-26) August 26, 1964 (age 60)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationNorthwestern University (BA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Michelle Laskin Hettleman (born August 26, 1964) is an American politician who has served in the Maryland Senate representing District 11 since 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented the district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2020.

Background

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Hettleman was born in Houston, Texas, on August 26, 1964.[1] She is Jewish.[2] Her grandparents came to the United States as refugees to escape the Holocaust.[3]

Hettleman spent her childhood moving between three different places before settling in the Baltimore area shortly before she turned seven years old.[2] She graduated from Pikesville Senior High School and later attended Northwestern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1986.[1] After graduating, Hettleman briefly moved to Washington, D.C. before moving back to downtown Baltimore, and eventually to Pikesville, Maryland.[2]

Hettleman first became involved in politics while at Northwestern, where she campaigned for Paul Simon's 1984 U.S. Senate campaign.[2] She worked as a scheduler for U.S. Representative Barbara Mikulski's 1986 U.S. Senate campaign. Afterwards, Hettleman worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Representative Ben Cardin until 1990, when she became the director of government relations for various Jewish organizations, including the Baltimore Jewish Council, the Jewish Women's Archive, and the Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. She eventually worked as a campaign manager for Cardin's U.S. Senate campaigns in 2006 and 2012.[1]

In the legislature

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Hettleman in the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2023

Hettleman was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 14, 2015. She was a member of the Appropriations Committee during her entire tenure.[1] In 2017, Hettleman said she considered challenging state senator Robert Zirkin in the 2018 elections, but instead ran for a second term.[4][5]

During the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Hettleman endorsed Hillary Clinton[6] and later served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledged to Clinton. She later served as a delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Joe Biden,[1] and the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Kamala Harris.[7]

In December 2019, following the resignation of state senator Robert Zirkin, Hettleman said that she would apply to serve the remainder of Zirkin's term in the Maryland Senate.[8] Her candidacy was backed by the Baltimore County Democratic Party.[9] In January 2020, the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee unanimously voted to nominate her to fill the vacancy, defeating state delegate Jon Cardin and community activist Alan Zukerberg.[10] Governor Larry Hogan appointed her to the seat a few days later,[11] and she was sworn in on February 3.[1]

Hettleman was a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee until 2023, and has since served on the Budget and Taxation Committee.[1] In October 2023, following the resignation of Melony G. Griffith, Senate President Bill Ferguson appointed her to serve as the chair of the Rules Committee.[12]

In January 2024, Hettleman, along with state delegate Jared Solomon and 20 other Jewish lawmakers, created the Maryland Jewish Legislative Caucus.[13]

Personal life

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Hettleman with her husband and daughter during her swearing into the Maryland House of Delegates, 2015

Hettleman is married to her husband, Jeffrey. Together, they have two adult children and belong to the Chizuk Amuno Congregation.[2] Kalman "Buzzy" Hettleman, who was the state Secretary of Human Resources under Governor Harry Hughes, is her father-in-law.[14]

Political positions

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Abortion

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Hettleman speaks at a press conference on reproductive rights, 2023

During the 2017 legislative session, Hettleman introduced legislation that would allow pharmacists to provide patients with oral contraceptives without a prescription, which passed and became law.[15] In 2023, amid the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, she introduced legislation that would require patients to provide consent before their records about reproductive health care could cross state lines. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.[16][17]

In January 2019, Hettleman was one of nine Maryland lawmakers to add their names to a manifesto signed by 326 state legislators to reaffirm their commitment to protecting abortion rights.[18]

Agriculture

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During the 2020 legislative session, Hettleman introduced legislation to prohibit hemp farming near residential communities.[19] She later said that she supported hemp expansion, but said that health concerns separated it from right-to-farm laws.[20]

Education

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During the 2016 legislative session, Hettleman introduced legislation to establish the Maryland Corps, which would enable high school graduates to do a gap year in exchange for job training, a $15 minimum wage, and a $6,000 educational grant. The bill passed and became law.[21]

In March 2019, Hettleman joined House Republicans in voting for an amendment to restore budget cuts to the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) program, which provides state-funded scholarships to low-income students to attend private schools.[22] In October, she penned a letter to the Maryland State Department of Education calling for an expansion of its curriculum on the Holocaust.[23]

During her candidacy for the Maryland Senate in December 2019, Hettleman said she would support increasing school construction and implementing the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.[8]

Gun policy

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During the 2023 legislative session, Hettleman introduced a bill that would allow people to opt into a "do not sell" registry that would prohibit gun dealerships from selling them firearms.[24]

Health care

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During the 2019 legislative session, Hettleman voted for the End-of-Life Option Act, which would have provided palliative care to terminally ill adults.[25]

In 2020, Hettleman introduced legislation to allow the state to open supervised injection sites.[26]

In February 2022, Hettleman spoke in support of the Time to Care Act, which would create a state paid family leave program.[27]

Housing

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During the 2021 legislative session, Hettleman introduced legislation that would provide low-income tenants with a right to counsel in eviction cases.[28] In 2022, she introduced bills that would require judges to delay eviction proceedings if a tenant applies for rent assistance,[29] which passed and was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan.[30]

Labor

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In 2018, Hettleman supported a bill to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour.[31] During debate on legislation to do so in 2019, she considered introducing an amendment to index the state's minimum wage to inflation, but ultimately decided against doing so, saying it "wasn't the right opportunity" to introduce floor amendments.[32]

During the 2021 legislative session, Hettleman introduced legislation that would provide Baltimore County librarians with collective bargaining rights. The bill passed and became law without Governor Larry Hogan's signature.[33] In January 2020, Baltimore County library employees voted to unionize under the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.[34]

Israel

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During the 2017 legislative session, Hettleman supported legislation that would ban the state from contracting with companies that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.[35]

Social issues

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During the 2017 legislative session, Hettleman introduced legislation that would require state police to keep rape kits for 20 years, which passed and became law. She also introduced a bill requiring kits to be tested within 150 days, which died in committee.[36] In 2019, she introduced legislation requiring police to test previously untested rape kits, which passed and became law.[37] The bill's implementation was delayed after Governor Larry Hogan declined to distribute the $3 million in funding to assist with kit testing, which Hettleman condemned.[38] In 2023, she introduced a bill that would require hospitals to extend the time police need to keep rape kits to 75 years and would allow patients and their representatives to track the progress of kit testing.[39] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.[40]

During the 2021 legislative session, Hettleman introduced a bill to allow transgender people to change their names without advertising it in newspapers.[41] The bill passed and became law without Governor Larry Hogan's signature.[42]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 11 Democratic primary election, 2014[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shelly Hettleman 9,923 26.4
Democratic Dana Stein (incumbent) 9,221 24.5
Democratic Dan Morhaim (incumbent) 9,049 24.1
Democratic Theodore Levin 3,998 10.6
Democratic Don Engel 3,982 10.6
Democratic Alex B. Leikus 1,434 3.8
Maryland House of Delegates District 11 election, 2014[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shelly Hettleman 24,197 27.6
Democratic Dana Stein (incumbent) 23,241 26.5
Democratic Dan Morhaim (incumbent) 22,991 26.2
Republican Laura Harkins 16,947 19.3
Write-in 308 0.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 11 election, 2018[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jon S. Cardin 33,077 29.3
Democratic Shelly Hettleman (incumbent) 31,957 28.3
Democratic Dana Stein (incumbent) 30,364 26.9
Republican Jonathan Porter 16,852 14.9
Write-in 521 0.5
Maryland Senate District 11 Democratic primary election, 2022[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shelly Hettleman (incumbent) 16,863 100.0
Maryland Senate District 11 election, 2022[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shelly Hettleman (incumbent) 33,409 71.5
Republican Ruth Goetz 13,310 28.5
Write-in 34 0.1

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Shelly L. Hettleman, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Lichtman, Harry (May 19, 2021). "Shelly Hettleman betters life through policy". Baltimore Jewish Times. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Wood, Pamela (February 27, 2017). "Immigrants and their supporters rally in Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  4. ^ Rascovar, Barry (February 28, 2018). "Time to say farewell, although politics certainly will live on". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 20, 2017). "Sen. Astle Loses Mayoral Primary; Gutierrez Moves On, Hettleman Stays Put". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  6. ^ Fritze, John (November 17, 2015). "Hillary Clinton unveils more than 70 Md. endorsements". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  7. ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 22, 2024). "Meet the Maryland delegates to the Democratic National Convention". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (December 6, 2019). "State delegates Hettleman, Cardin likely to face off for Zirkin's open Senate seat in Baltimore County". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Nobles, Wilborn P. III (January 23, 2020). "Baltimore County Democrats recommend Del. Shelly Hettleman to fill vacant Maryland Senate seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  10. ^ DeVille, Taylor (January 28, 2020). "Baltimore County Democrats nominate state delegate, Catonsville progressive for vacant seats". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  11. ^ Wood, Pamela (January 30, 2020). "Maryland Gov. Hogan appoints Hettleman, Ruth to vacant seats in General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (October 10, 2023). "With committee chair's resignation, Ferguson makes changes to Senate leadership". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Wood, Pamela (January 16, 2024). "Maryland lawmakers create Jewish caucus in Annapolis". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "Ben Cardin gets hip to Facebook". The Baltimore Sun. June 2, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  15. ^ Dresser, Michael (April 8, 2017). "Assembly gives OK for Maryland pharmacists to write birth control pill prescriptions". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  16. ^ Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (March 20, 2023). "On busy 'crossover day,' legislature advances abortion records protections, Senate introduces budget bill". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  17. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (April 15, 2023). "What's on Gov. Wes Moore's desk after the 2023 General Assembly session?". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  18. ^ Kurtz, Josh (January 23, 2019). "Md. Lawmakers Join Legislators From Across U.S. Vowing to Protect Abortion Rights". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Boteler, Cody (February 25, 2020). "Neighbors of Baltimore County hemp farm bring odor, health complaints to state legislature, as industry pushes back". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  20. ^ Nobles, Wilborn P. III (October 5, 2020). "Maryland's hemp industry faces growing pains as more farmers try to cash in on the demand". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  21. ^ Janesch, Sam (March 4, 2023). "Gov. Wes Moore's service-year plan for all high school graduates would start small with 200, could grow to 2,000 by 2026". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  22. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 11, 2019). "House Committee's Proposed Budget Funds Kirwan, Reduces Private School Scholarships". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  23. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (October 23, 2019). "Md. to Expand Holocaust Instruction in Schools". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  24. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 8, 2023). "Maryland Senate hears testimony on bills to further regulate where guns can be carried, who can buy them". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  25. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (January 13, 2020). "Even With Senate Lineup Change, 'End-of-Life' Bill May Fall Short". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  26. ^ Cohn, Meredith; Marbella, Jean (January 24, 2020). "Safe place to shoot up? Some say Baltimore needs supervised sites for drug use. Others say that's insane". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  27. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 24, 2022). "Senate Leaders Vow to Pass Paid Family Leave Policy This Year". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  28. ^ Roberts, Angela (December 29, 2020). "Maryland housing advocates, lawmakers discuss bills to reform eviction process, stem housing crisis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  29. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (April 1, 2022). "General Assembly Advances Tenant Protection Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  30. ^ "Legislation - SB0384". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  31. ^ Dance, Scott (January 15, 2018). "Democrats, unions launch push for statewide $15 minimum wage". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  32. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 28, 2019). "As House Gives Early Nod to $15 Wage, Advocates Turn to Senate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  33. ^ DeVille, Taylor (April 14, 2021). "General Assembly approves legislation allowing Baltimore County librarians to unionize". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  34. ^ DeVille, Taylor (January 7, 2022). "Baltimore County library staff votes to form union". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  35. ^ Dresser, Michael (February 9, 2017). "Bill brings Middle East boycott conflict to Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  36. ^ Rentz, Catherine (April 3, 2017). "Lawmakers set to pass rape kit retention bill, but not mandatory testing". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  37. ^ Rentz, Catherine (March 6, 2019). "'That was me on the shelf': Maryland lawmakers weigh legislation requiring rape kits be tested". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  38. ^ Broadwater, Luke (July 3, 2019). "Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan won't release funds for symphony, school construction, Baltimore youth jobs". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  39. ^ Jensen, Cassidy (March 9, 2023). "Maryland legislators consider bills to retain sexual assault kits for 75 years and track testing". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  40. ^ "Legislation - SB0615". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  41. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (March 23, 2021). "Maryland bill would let transgender people change names without advertising it". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  42. ^ "Legislation - SB0581". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  43. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
  44. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014.
  45. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
  46. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections. August 24, 2022.
  47. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.
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