Southern Maryland delegation re-elects Edith Patterson as chair; hears job-fair and broadband updates
January 23, 2026 | Southern Maryland, Delegation Committees, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland
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Delegate Edith Patterson was re-elected chair of the Southern Maryland delegation at a virtual meeting on Jan. 23, 2026, and Delegate Jeff Long was elected vice chair, the delegation announced during a voice vote.
The meeting’s principal briefing came from John Hartline of the Tri‑County Council of Southern Maryland, who laid out a year of workforce and infrastructure priorities for Calvert, Charles and Saint Mary’s counties. Hartline said the council has pivoted to job fairs and customized recruitments: "Last year we did 11 job fairs and customized recruitments. This year we already have 8 scheduled," and he said the next event is scheduled for Feb. 11 at CSM, with "36 or 37 businesses signed up" and more than "500 people registered." He described separate sector fairs planned for construction and health care and said a larger regional fair is planned for later in the year at the CSM campus.
Hartline also briefed the delegation on fundraising and outreach for a Feb. 26 legislative reception at the Calvert House, saying sponsorships and registration revenue currently total $14,950 against a $22,000 target and that organizers expect the event to break even for the first time since the pandemic.
On broadband infrastructure, Hartline said the Maryland Broadband Cooperative announced an undersea‑fiber project tied to a new transatlantic route: "There is a new fiber coming from Ireland that's going to land on the Eastern Shore, and then it will cross the bay," he said. Hartline said that the route will pass through Calvert, Saint Mary's and Charles counties and cross the Harry Nice Bridge; he gave an internal target of having fiber in the ground by May 1 and a contractual date of June 30.
Kara Franklin, chief of staff to the delegation chair, outlined the delegation’s meeting schedule and planned guests for the coming weeks, saying the group will meet every other Friday (Feb. 6; Feb. 20; March 6; March 20) and expects briefings from U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, the Department of Legislative Services on Southern Maryland matters, Lucille Walker of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area and Department representatives on military and veteran family issues including Charlotte Hall.
The delegation also noted the arrival of new members and staff: Delegate Daryl Odom introduced himself and his staff, January McKay appeared on behalf of Senator Kevin Harris and introduced the senator’s legislative staff, and several delegates introduced interns who will work in their offices this session.
A brief announcement invited residents to a District 27 event on March 5 at Miller West. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn; the chair closed the session with weather and safety reminders for the weekend.
Votes at a glance: the delegation approved the nomination of Edith Patterson to continue as chair (nomination by Delegate Davis; second recorded) and approved the nomination of Delegate Jeff Long as vice chair (nomination by Delegate Davis; second by Delegate Todd Morgan) by voice vote. No roll‑call tallies were recorded on the transcript.
Next steps: the delegation will convene on Feb. 6 with the schedule of speakers and briefings noted above.
The meeting’s principal briefing came from John Hartline of the Tri‑County Council of Southern Maryland, who laid out a year of workforce and infrastructure priorities for Calvert, Charles and Saint Mary’s counties. Hartline said the council has pivoted to job fairs and customized recruitments: "Last year we did 11 job fairs and customized recruitments. This year we already have 8 scheduled," and he said the next event is scheduled for Feb. 11 at CSM, with "36 or 37 businesses signed up" and more than "500 people registered." He described separate sector fairs planned for construction and health care and said a larger regional fair is planned for later in the year at the CSM campus.
Hartline also briefed the delegation on fundraising and outreach for a Feb. 26 legislative reception at the Calvert House, saying sponsorships and registration revenue currently total $14,950 against a $22,000 target and that organizers expect the event to break even for the first time since the pandemic.
On broadband infrastructure, Hartline said the Maryland Broadband Cooperative announced an undersea‑fiber project tied to a new transatlantic route: "There is a new fiber coming from Ireland that's going to land on the Eastern Shore, and then it will cross the bay," he said. Hartline said that the route will pass through Calvert, Saint Mary's and Charles counties and cross the Harry Nice Bridge; he gave an internal target of having fiber in the ground by May 1 and a contractual date of June 30.
Kara Franklin, chief of staff to the delegation chair, outlined the delegation’s meeting schedule and planned guests for the coming weeks, saying the group will meet every other Friday (Feb. 6; Feb. 20; March 6; March 20) and expects briefings from U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, the Department of Legislative Services on Southern Maryland matters, Lucille Walker of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area and Department representatives on military and veteran family issues including Charlotte Hall.
The delegation also noted the arrival of new members and staff: Delegate Daryl Odom introduced himself and his staff, January McKay appeared on behalf of Senator Kevin Harris and introduced the senator’s legislative staff, and several delegates introduced interns who will work in their offices this session.
A brief announcement invited residents to a District 27 event on March 5 at Miller West. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn; the chair closed the session with weather and safety reminders for the weekend.
Votes at a glance: the delegation approved the nomination of Edith Patterson to continue as chair (nomination by Delegate Davis; second recorded) and approved the nomination of Delegate Jeff Long as vice chair (nomination by Delegate Davis; second by Delegate Todd Morgan) by voice vote. No roll‑call tallies were recorded on the transcript.
Next steps: the delegation will convene on Feb. 6 with the schedule of speakers and briefings noted above.
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