New job for Moran, new role for Benson, new position for Cullison, in political notes

Well, state officials won’t have Patrick Moran to kick around anymore. Or maybe it’s the other way around.

Moran, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 3, was elected president Thursday of AFSCME International, the 1.4 million-member national arm of the union. Moran, who had been serving as vice president of the union, replaces outgoing President Lee Saunders, who had held the office since 2012.

During the 14 years that Moran was president of Council 3, the state union tripled its membership, according to the national union, and became the biggest unions for state workers in Maryland. A statement from Council 3 said that during Moran’s tenure, “Maryland workers won historic raises, new laws to protect against extreme heat and workplace violence, and a record-breaking wage theft settlement of $23 million.”

In remarks after his swearing-in Friday, Moran said he was honored to accept the job. And Moran, who got his start as an organizer, called on members at the union’s 47th International Convention to continue building the union, which represents everything from correctional officers to higher education workers to healtcare workers.

“Every generation of our union has faced its defining moment. Now it’s our turn,” Moran said. “We will fight and build power like our future depends on it because it does. We will protect our neighbors and strengthen our communities. This is our fight, and together, we’ve got the power to make change.”

His departure comes at a time of increasingly fraught relations with the Moore administration. Late last year, during contract negotiations, the union filed a series of unfair labor practice claims against the state, and in just the last month it has sued the state over raises for university workers and released a report highly critical of pay, staffing levels and workplace conditions at state agencies.

In a statement, Council 3  congratulated Moran and wished him well.

“Our AFSCME family in Maryland will miss his daily presence, but we are excited to see the decades of union experience and organizing spirit that President Moran will bring to our national union,” the statement said.

She’ll be back, sort of

Although Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George’s) isn’t seeking reelection, she said Thursday people will still be seeing her face during the 2027 session. She’ll just be on the other side of the table.

Benson, 85, who has served in the General Assembly since 1991 and the informal title of dean of the Senate chamber, said she plans to testify in Annapolis on a few pieces of legislation.

“I’m going to retire the first week in January, but I’m going to be highly visible down there [in Annapolis],” said Benson, who currently serves as the Senate majority whip. “I’m going to speak truth to power because people need to understand that they’re not just here for political aggrandizement. They’re not here to pat themselves on the back. They’re here to do a job to look out for the people who sent them here.”

Besides continuing her “mission” to support seniors, Benson said she’s working on a turkey drive during the Thanksgiving holiday in November.

“We’re in positions of authority, and even if we’re not in positions of authority, we have to exercise strong leadership when it comes to ensuring that the life of the people not only in Prince George’s County, but in this country, is worth something,” she said. “People are losing their jobs. People have health issues. People are homeless. Those are the people that we are gravely concerned about. There are a lot of other things that are going on that we need to take care of.”

Gorgeous Prince George’s? Prove it

While Benson continues her community work in Prince George’s, County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) announced Thursday the jurisdiction will do something it hasn’t done before: Host a fashion week.

The event will run Sept. 23-25 at the Metro Points Hotel in New Carrollton, the same spot where Braveboy, Gov. Wes Moore (D) and other supporters celebrated in March 2025 when she won the special primary election for county executive.

According to a press release, the event is labeled “as a premier celebration of style, culture, creativity, commerce, and community in one of the most vibrant counties in America.”

“Prince George’s County Fashion Week is engineered as a vital platform for fashion designers, creatives, and cultural innovators,” the announcement said. “This premier showcase is designed to elevate the local creative economy and project the county’s distinct fashion landscape onto a global stage.”

Programming is slated to include runway shows, vendors, talent and model discovery and business forums. Those interested in participating or attending, scan the QR code on the flier. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first-served basis.

Chair Cullison

Del. Bonnie Cullison (D-Montgomery) did not seek reelection this year after four terms in the House, but she’s not moving far: Cullison is now serving as chair of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board that she championed as a legislator for several years.

Her appointment took effect on Aug. 7, filling the seat left by former PDAB chair Van T. Mitchell, who announced at the June PDAB meeting he was stepping down after “almost six years” with the board.

Cullison, who also serves as vice chair of the House Health Committee, has been a longtime supporter of the board’s goal to reduce prescription drug costs in Maryland. Her appointment as PDAB chair required joint approval from House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) and Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City). She said she was “honored” the two appointed her to chair the board.

“At its core, this is responsible budgeting with a clear public purpose: Helping Marylanders benefit from more affordable health care and, ultimately, lower insurance premiums,” Cullison said in a written statement last week. “I look forward to working with Board members and diverse stakeholders across the state as we continue this important effort.”

Established in 2020, the board is currently tasked with reducing prescription drug costs for those on the state’s health insurance, a goal it has not yet accomplished due to years of financial delays, lengthy policy building processes and careful cost review to determine “unaffordable” prescription drugs. But 2025 legislation will expand the board’s authority bring down costs for all Marylanders, if it can first show it can set upper payment limits under its current authority on what the state is willing to pay for two drugs. That process is underway for Jardiance and Ozempic.

Cullison defended both the 2019 legislation that established the board as well as the 2025 bill that will expand the board’s authority on the House floor.