Will the Donut Hole Get Filled?

To the causal observer, you measure a legislator's success by how many bills they sponsor or cosponsor that become law. But there are other ways to "succeed". Here is an example of one our newer Delegates getting something done behind the scenes. You wouldn't know that from reading the lead story of today's Baltimore Sun.

First-term Delegate Roger Manno (LD19: Leisure World, Aspen Hill and the northern reaches of Silver Spring) has been working since he entered the legislature on closing the "donut hole" on Medicare Part D. He filed this bill in 2007 and again in 2008.

It still has several hurdles to pass not the least of which is funding approval. The initial bill, HB 37, probably will never become law. But the concept, with today's announcement, has made a quantum leap forward. Having the most powerful person in Annapolis on your side gives a freshman Delegate a huge "win". The "victory" comes when it passed and the policy is changed.

Proving once again that there are several ways to measure legislative success.