Two newcomers are joining Harford County?s eight-person delegation to the General Assembly, although one of them is returning from a four-year hiatus from the state political arena.
Forest Hill resident Donna Stifler, R-District 35A, will be the freshman of the delegation while Edgewood resident B. Dan Riley, D-District 34A, returns to the House of Delegates. Both are former teachers.
The leader of Harford?s delegation, Barry Glassman, R-District 35A, said Stifler would require time to “get her feet wet,” but would “bring a fresh perspective to the issues.” Of Riley, Glassman said “he brings a working man?s perspective” with him.
Stifler and Riley have different goals for this approaching legislative session, but regardless of their political affiliations, they see eye to eye on others.
“I intend to take a hard look at Jessica?s Law,” Stifler said. The mother of two daughters, 10 and 13, Stifler is adamant that more needs to be done to keep convicted child sex offenders off the street. She intends to push legislation that eliminates parole for some of the worst offenders.
Riley said enabling legislation for Harford County to enact a hotel tax was an issue he intended to support going into the session, despite opposition from the county?s representatives in the state Senate.
“I think we can get it through even though our senators don?t agree with it,” Riley said.
Both Stifler and Riley agree on creating legislation that would allow county residents a voice in who sits on the county School Board.
