Talmadge Branch

Talmadge Branch is an American politician who represents the 45th legislative district in the Maryland House of Delegates. Branch has been in office since 1995 and is currently the House majority whip. Delegate Branch is a former chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and founder of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland's foundation.

Background

Branch was born in Northampton County, North Carolina on January 30, 1956. He attended Northern High School in Baltimore and then Essex Community College where he got his A.A. in 1978. By 1980 Branch had earned his B.A. in liberal studies from Salisbury State College.

In the legislature

Branch has been a member of House of Delegates since January 11, 1995. He served on the House Appropriations Committee and was its vice-chairman from 2003 to 2007. He also serves on the Ways and Means committee. He is a member of the Legislative Policy Committee, the Special Joint Committee on Pensions, the Task Force to Study the State's Retiree Health Insurance Liabilities, the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, the Spending Affordability Committee, the Joint Commission on the Maryland Port Administration and he is the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Welfare Reform. ^[1]

General election results, 2006

• 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 45th District^[2]

Voters to choose three:

Name	Votes	Percent	Outcome
Cheryl Glenn, Democratic	16,911	32.6%	Won
Hattie N. Harrison, Democratic	16,804	31.0%	Won
Talmadge Branch, Democratic	16,014	30.9%	Won
Ronald M. Owens-Bey, Populist	2,727	5.3%	Lost
Other write-ins	111	.2%	Lost

Legislative notes

• voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)[1]
• voted for the Healthy Air Act in 2006 (SB154)[2]
• primary sponsor-Baltimore City - Illegal Dumping - Surveillance Systems 2006 (HB111-became law: Chapter#312)^[3]
• voted for slots in 2005 (HB1361)[3]
• primary sponsor- Child Support Enforcement Privatization Pilot Program 2003(HB564 became law: Chapter312)^[4]
• voted against electric deregulation in 1999 (HB703)[4]
• voted for income tax reduction in 1998 (SB750)[5]
• voted for the Tax Reform Act of 2007 (HB2)[6]
• voted in favor of Slots (HB4) in the 2007 Special session^[5]

Awards

• 2010 Most Influential Maryland Legislators (Top 20)^[6]

Notes