Our profession’s work on the Maryland legislative front just got a whole lot more interesting.

The June 26 Democratic primaries produced some eye-opening results:

• State Del. Joseph Vallario Jr., D-Prince George’s County, who chaired the House Judiciary Committee since 1993, finished third in a seven-way race for District 23B’s two seats.
• State Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton, D-Charles County, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, lost to Arthur Ellis, who will face Republican John Leonard in the fall.
• State Sen. Joan Carter Conway, who chairs the powerful Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, trailed her challenger, Del. Mary Washington, by mere hundreds of votes in the 43rd District, although neither candidate seems ready to accept the tally as final until all the votes are counted.
• Senate President Pro Tempore Nathaniel McFadden, D-District 45, lost to Del. Cory McCray.

What does all of that mean for you?

For starters, it makes the 2019 edition of CPA Day in Annapolis so much more crucial for our profession.

The MACPA had worked diligently with each of these vanquished incumbents in the past. Now, we’ll have to build new relationships and educate these new legislators on issues that impact our profession.

That will take time, and effort, and help from all of you.

Mark your calendars for Jan. 24, and join us for CPA Day in Annapolis. That will be our opportunity to roll up our sleeves, build important new relationships, and do a little teaching in the process.

From our profession’s point of view, and from yours as well, nothing could be more important.

And remember this: If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.

Let’s get to work.