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RUDOLPH: COMFORTABLE IN ANNAPOLIS: Veteran legislator knows his way about

April 7, 2003

By:Cheryl Mattix - The Cecil Whig

He never gives up on issues or bills that he feels are important. He's learned after nine years in Annapolis that some things take time to accomplish. For example, he's been championing an effort to get some relief for senior citizen prescription prices for the past five years. This year, a bill he introduced is stalled in committee, but he still had hope that some last minute changes would move it to a summer study.

This year has been a particular challenge for the Cecil County Democrat. A few weeks into the session, he got hit with back problems. After four weeks of medicine and therapy, his back improved. One week later he ended up with pneumonia, which lasted for another three weeks.

In addition to the unexpected health problems, Rudolph was adjusting to working with a whole new group of lawmakers representing Cecil County. His first eight years were spent with a group comprised of mostly Democrats that had worked together for quite a while. "The old group would hold Cecil County delegation meetings over breakfast and everyone would attend," Rudolph said. "We worked together very well."

This year, the delegation has only met once while in Annapolis. "It's just not the same," Rudolph said, adding he has developed a good working relationship with Sen. Nancy Jacobs (R-District 34). She and Rudolph share the same district. "I also had a good relationship with her predecessor, Sen. Robert Hooper (R-District 35). Their districts were switched because of redistricting.

"My goal has always been to represent the citizens of Cecil County regardless of their party affiliation," Rudolph said. "I am a non-partisan lawmaker when it comes to constituent issues."

His office at 405 Lowe House Office Building is new this year, but it's only two doors down from the office he occupied the first eight years. Many delegates were moved around this year because of turnover, new leadership and new committee assignments.

It's also Rudolph's first year as a sub-committee chairman. He's in charge of Health Occupations, one of the sub-committees of Health and Government Operations (HGO), which is also a brand new committee formed this year by new Speaker of the House Michael Busch.

It requires additional work. Sub-committees are essentially the work groups of the committees. Bills that require changes are sent to sub-committees.

Typically, Rudolph gets to his office about 8 a.m. He checks messages, returns calls, meets with lobbyists, agency personnel, staff and constituents before the House session convenes at 10 a.m.

On this particular day the House deals with the capital budget, bond bills, nutrient management and a myriad of bills coming over from the Senate.

Session ends with enough time to grab a quick bite to eat and a cup of coffee. Rudolph likes to bring a cup of coffee with him into his committee which starts hearing health-related bills about 1 p.m. every day.

About one hour into his committee hearing, Rudolph has to go across the street to the Senate office building to present one of his bills there. He grabs a folder for House Bill 876, a bill he is sponsoring that reduces from five years to two years, the amount of time that an identification card remains effective for a person under the age of 16.

Under current law, the Motor Vehicle Administration is required to issue an identification card to any individual who is a state resident, does not have a driver's license, presents a birth certificate or other acceptable proof of age and makes a valid application. The MVA establishes a fee for the card.

Rudolph's bill, which has already passed the House by a vote of 140-0, is intended to enable parents to get the ID cards updated every two years when their children are younger and still growing and changing their appearance very quickly. "It's a small piece of legislation with a major impact," he told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

"I've worked with the MVA on this for the last two years," he said. It's part of the Safe Kids program that proponents say is an aid in the identification of children in case of abduction. "Parents can get an ID every two years for $5 every two years up to age 16, after that it's every five years," he said.

He goes back to the House to hear the remaining bills before his committee. One of the biggest tasks his committee has handled this session is Care First Health Insurance. A special work committee put in hours on a bill that is going to revamp the board of directors, put limits on their income and redefine the mission of the company.

As the end of the session got closer, the meetings got longer and more frequent, it seems. There were special voting sessions, extra sub-committee meetings in between regular committee meetings and special work groups, not to mention Democrat leadership meetings. It goes on and on.

Despite the hectic schedule, Rudolph tries to get to the gym three nights a week. He also goes back to Cecil County during session for events and meetings. Toward the end of session that becomes a lot more difficult.

"I enjoy my new committee assignment," Rudolph said, giving compliments to his committee chairman, Del. John Hurson (D-District 18). "He's a very good chairman, one that is inclusive, allowing all opinions to be aired," Rudolph said.

Before this assignment, Rudolph spent four years on Commerce and Government Matters and four years on Ways and Means.

One claim to fame that not everyone in Annapolis can tout, is having an item on the menu at Chick & Ruth's Delly named after them. Rudolph is one of several lawmakers listed on the menu of the Main Street "ma and pa" eatery that has been in Annapolis since 1965. If you order item 38, you will get half of a (Delegate) "David D. Rudolph" Annapolis Cheese Steak. "I love cheese steaks and would always order them when I ate at the Delly," Rudolph said. A number 39 will get you a "whole" cheese steak.

His nine years experience in Annapolis has made him many friends and he understands how the system works. Rudolph is adept and knows who to talk to and what to say in order to get something done, often working quietly behind the scenes.

"He never lets up, even in the summer," said his legislative assistant, Eileen Winer.

"As a legislator, you really have to love what you're doing," Rudolph said. "I work hard because I want to do it every single day. Otherwise, you won't be effective."

©Cecil Whig 2003

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