Oppose Bill & They Hang Up On You?

Maryland government employees should know better than to do something this dumb.

3/16/16

Dear Senator Miller and staff,

Sorry to write on a sorrowful note, but wanted you to know that this morning when I contacted a bill’s sponsor, and I was instructed to do so to find out about testimony I’d submitted for our volunteer Lyme groups across the State, I spoke to a young man who first asked if I supported or opposed Senator Young’s bill (SB 926- Lyme Disease Test Notice).

Thinking that shouldn’t make a difference since this was our government, people paid to help Maryland residents (and I too worked for the government for many years), and being rather amused he’d ask such a thing, I asked him if it mattered. He said yes. He told me it’s "not in their nature” to assist those opposing a bill and I would have to find help elsewhere.

I explained, very nicely, that I had been that route and was told to contact the sponsor’s office. He again said to look elsewhere for help. I said I would, but first let me know your name so I can report back to the office that sent me to you, the one he was sending me back to, that you won’t help me. Without another word, he hung up on me.

Later this morning I called Senator Young’s office one more time to see if I could perhaps catch someone else answering the phone and get the help needed, but it was the same person. He blurted out first thing, “We were told not to talk to you Ms. Barnes.” Shocked at his comment and confused, I paused then asked who told him that he shouldn’t talk to me, and again he hung up on me.

My question to you as Speaker sir, is that behavior considered acceptable? I don’t believe I’ve ever spoken to that office before and my only crime was to respond when asked that I opposed a piece of legislation, which I thought I had every right to do without being treated so rudely.

Please respond and let me know if that is how people who oppose a bill are to be treated or not, as compared to those who support it. If it is not acceptable behavior, my hope is that, at the very least, you will speak to the Senator and to this young man about this situation so it will not happen again.

I want to be sure our testimony is submitted to members of the Finance Committee for tomorrow’s hearing. I believe I have someone who will help me now, but it certainly leaves a doubt in my mind as to what goes on in Annapolis, more specifically that office. ...

Thank you for your help in this situation and for your long time service to Marylanders. Hopefully this won’t happen again and we can all get back to doing business as usual.

Enjoy your legislative session and please don’t forget, do a tick check!

Lucy Barnes, Director

Lyme Disease Education & Support Groups of Maryland

631 Railroad Avenue

Centreville, MD 21617