When the General Assembly convenes Jan. 10 for its annual 90-day session, some of Anne Arundel County?s freshmen lawmakers will begin juggling. As small business owners, they face the challenge of keeping their business running while attending to the needs of their constituents and building a voting record.
“It?s a sacrifice for business owners,” said Ron George, who made his stewardship of a jeweler?s shop on Main Street in Annapolis for 15 years a hallmark of his campaign. “Every single business owner I know who ever got into politics knows it?s a sacrifice.”
The Republican delegate-elect from Annapolis has the advantage of having his business just a few blocks away from the State House. In addition, “I have a good manager, a good gemologist and another master goldsmith,” he said. “So I?m confident that the quality of work will be there ? but my wife will likely take over more of the bookkeeping.” According to state statistics, close to 40 percent of the previous General Assembly members were full-time legislators or lawyers.
“I think we?re closer to the public,” said Del.-elect Pam Beidle, D-District 32, who runs her own insurance business and supervises five full-time employees. “When you come from big business you don?t worry about who?s paying the bills. And I think being a full-time legislator gives you a little distance from the people.”
Beidle was elected to the legislature after serving two consecutive terms on the Anne Arundel County Council. She said technology has already helped her juggle the demands of public service and private industry. “I use the BlackBerry and the laptop,” she said. “And I?m usually out meeting clients during the day anyway … I?m generally not sitting at my desk from 8:30 to 5 anyway.”
