Are you cleaning up from the flooding and severe weather last month? The federal government is providing low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, non-profits, homeowners, and renters impacted by the July 6-8 storms. For more information visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955.

If you were impacted by the flooding and severe weather July 6-8, federal disaster assistance is available in the form of low-interest loans. Rates are as low as 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters, 4 percent for businesses of all sizes and 2.75 percent for non-profit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. You can submit an application online or by mail.

Learn more at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ or call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8399 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Other countries are recognizing what we in Maryland already know: fracking is dangerous and contributes to harmful climate change. Glad to see this action in Ireland and to have been a leader in prohibiting fracking here in Maryland.

I'm proud to join with colleagues from the House and Senate to protect Maryland from becoming home to a fracked gas pipeline. State and local leaders, activists, and a unanimous, bipartisan vote of the Board of Public Works have all said "no" to the Potomac Pipeline project, yet Columbia Gas is essentially suing the state to take our land.

In 2017 legislation I sponsored made Maryland the first state with gas reserves to legislatively ban fracking. We also have worked to increase our use of renewable energy by passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act and transitioning away from dirty fossil fuels. Construction of this pipeline is counter to the vision Maryland has for its environmental and energy future.

Hemp production would create new jobs, provide new opportunities for farmers, and lead to more sustainable products for consumers. I'm proud of my role in moving the ball forward on hemp production in Maryland.