Latest News from Senator Rosapepe's Office October 2026

Make Your Plan to Vote

Election day is almost upon us! Please make a plan to vote. Election day is November 3. The polls will be open from 7am to 8pm. Early voting will be conducted October 22, 2026, through October 29, 2026 (7am - 8pm). Beltsville’s early voting center is at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center at 7120 Contee Road.   If you wish to vote by mail, please request a mail-in ballot at vote.md.gov/NeedBallot by Tuesday, October 27. You may also drop off a mail-in ballot at the Beltsville Community Center or the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center.

If you have further questions, please contact the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at 301-341-7300. You may also check your current voter status at https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch.

BARC Update: Maryland Joins Lawsuit to Stop Closure

As you know, Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, Mary Lehman, and I are doing everything we can to protect the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, its employees, and its land. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown joined the fight in September, filing a friend of the court brief in a new lawsuit brought by American Federation of Government Employees and several other federal worker unions. On September 12, a federal judge paused the forced relocation of U.S. Department of Agriculture employees following the filing. The relocation is scheduled to resume October 2, but we are hopeful that this will be extended after the hearing on September 29.

Medicaid Changes, Resources for Constituents

Due to policy changes by the federal government, Medicaid eligibility may change for some Marylanders. Those who are impacted should have recently received a letter from Maryland Health Connection (MHC) regarding these upcoming changes. 

Notices have been sent to impacted households regarding changes to Medicaid eligibility based on immigration status. For some noncitizen Medicaid members, federal changes may result in coverage loss beginning October 1, 2026. These changes do not impact pregnant individuals or children.

Beginning January 1, 2027, approximately 320,000 Maryland Medicaid adults may be subject to work requirements, unless an exception or exemption is applicable, and may have to reapply for Medicaid coverage twice a year instead of annually. Notices to impacted households will be mailed and emailed mid- September 2026. The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) and MHC will also notify via email and text message.  

These changes are specific to adults and will not affect children, pregnant individuals, or individuals with disabilities. The notices provide information about the new federal requirements and what steps are needed to maintain coverage.

I encourage constituents to visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov/Checkin. There, you can update your contact information and review any official notices from the Maryland Health Connection.

WSSC Construction Coming to Powder Mill Road

WSSC has announced plans to replace four miles of sewer pipes off Powder Mill Road starting spring 2027. During this remediation, WSSC activities may include pruning/removing trees, temporary parking restrictions, and construction over sidewalks. Closer to the date of construction, WSSC plans on holding a community meeting to provide more details. For more information, contact project manager Gary Wallace at Gary.Wallace@wsscwater.com or 301-206-8012 and refer to Project Number CRCILRMH8114A25.

Contact me

Please let me know if there are other issues you have questions or thoughts about. And, of course, feel free to be in touch if I can be of help to you. Just email me at jim.rosapepe@senate.maryland.gov or call (410) 841-3141.