Jim Mathias, State Senator for District 38

Volunteer your time with us! Click below to fill out our volunteer registration form.

Your vote counts! If you are not registered to vote or need to update your information, please click here.

For our News archive, please click here.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

View Full Article

Senate Bill 56 Adopted by the Senate of Maryland

Top Legislative Priority Overwhelmingly Passes with Bipartisan Support

Annapolis, MD - "As a result of Maryland Senate action, I am very pleased to announce that one of my top legislative priorities for the citizens of the Eastern Shore and Maryland, Senate Bill 56, requiring the Governor and Maryland General Assembly to begin funding the next step necessary for the ultimate construction of a third span crossing the Chesapeake Bay, passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 40-4.

This bipartisan action, including leadership of both parties, will strengthen our agriculture and poultry industry, promote tourism, provide for increased public safety, and ensure greater education opportunities for the students of Salisbury University, UMES, Washington College, Wor-Wic Community College, and Chesapeake College.” Said Senator Jim Mathias. Following the adoption of SB 56, Senator Mathias remarked, “I remain dedicated and will continue to work with my Eastern Shore Delegation, Legislative Leadership, colleagues in the House of Delegates, and Governor Hogan to pass and sign into law this vital bill to ensure a continued confidence and bright future for both the people of the Eastern Shore and the great state of Maryland."

Senator Mathias Stands with Maryland's Farmers

Mathias joins members of the poultry industry in testifying against overregulation.

Annapolis, MD - Yesterday afternoon Senator Jim Mathias joined Agriculture Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder, and members of Maryland's poultry industry in testifying against Senate Bill 496, which would place an undue burden on Maryland's Poultry Industry.

Maryland recently adopted - through negotiations led by Senator Mathias between Governor Hogan, and members of the Legislature - and began to implement Phosphorous Management Tool regulations to achieve improved water quality through nutrient management. These regulations are already showing significant progress.

"Senate Bill 496 is an unnecessary, and unwelcome, intrusion by the government into our State's poultry industry." stated Senator Mathias. "Rather than perusing overburdening regulation measures that would jeopardize Maryland's current agricultural industries, I ask this committee to allow the currently adopted Phosphorous Management Tool regulations to be fully implemented, responsibly yield the factual results, and allow the generations of agriculture families, both poultry and grain, to continue their family legacy with confidence and as great stewards of the land and our environment."

Pictured is Senator Jim Mathias testifying with Agricultural Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder, and Assistant Secretary Hans Schmidt.

# # #

Senator Mathias represents District 38, which includes all of Somerset and Worcester Counties and part of Wicomico County on the Lower Eastern Shore. He is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare, energy, and business legislation. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served the residents of the Lower Shore as a member of the House of Delegates and as Mayor of Ocean City.

Mathias leads the way on dredging solutions for Ocean City inlet shoaling

Sen. Jim Mathias has formed a working partnership toward short- and longterm solutions to mitigate the critical shoaling problem plaguing the Ocean City Inlet.

Teamwork, training helped resolve OC bridge malfunction

I wish to express my deep appreciation to all those involved in remedying a malfunction of the Harry A. Kelley Bridge on Route 50 during the afternoon and early evening of July 26.

Local bills go into effect today

Today, several bills sponsored by Senator Jim Mathias, D-38m including Senate Bill 949, took effect. SB 949 will allow bars and restaurants in Worcester County to purchase their liquor on the open market.

Shore Businesses Reap Benefits from Another Wallops Island Launch. Mathais praises local effects of Wallops Island

Wallops Island, VA - "Go Antares! Go Cygnus!" That was the phrase repeated across Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore and Wallops Island, VA on Sunday, July 13th. Maryland State Senator Jim Mathias, District 38, was on site for the Orbital Sciences Corporation launch of its Cygnus capsule aboard the Antares rocket, to carry supplies up to the International Space Station.

Task force recommends post-Labor Day school start

A state task force voted this week to recommend a post-Labor Day start for Maryland's public schools. After studying the issue for several months, the 21-member task force created last year voted Monday to recommend to the governor a statewide post-Labor Day school start date.

O'Malley to veto wind bill

Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to announce he will veto a bill that would delay construction of a wind farm in Somerset County, according to an energy adviser to the governor.

Fighting Over A Wind Farm, Crab Picking On The Coast And One Man's Homage To Mark Twain

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and state lawmakers are battling over a wind farm that's proposed for Somerset County on the Eastern Shore. We'll find out why.

Senate president, Mathias work to revive Somerset Walmart project

Concerns over losing a multi-million dollar wind farm in Somerset County have led Senate President Mike Miller and Lower Shore Sen. Jim Mathias to re-examine a potential 800-job Walmart distribution center.

Economic study of phosphorus regulations added as budget amendment

An amendment was added to the state budget Friday that would require the agriculture department to complete an economic impact study on the Phosphorus Management Tool before state funds could be used to implement the regulation.

Maryland Energy Administration Announces The 2014 Kathleen A.P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Grant Program

Annapolis (February 4, 2014) — The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced today that the Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Grant (Mathias Ag) Program is now open for applications. The Mathias Ag Program will provide grants to farms and businesses in the agriculture sector to cover 50% of the cost of energy efficiency upgrades at sites that can achieve at least 20% savings in the building or areas improved.

Mathias Seeking Third State Senate Term

OCEAN CITY -- As expected, incumbent State Senator Jim Mathias (D-38) filed for re-election this week, setting the stage for what promises to be a spirited campaign against Republican challenger and current Delegate Mike McDermott for the seat.

Senator Jim Mathias files for Re-election

Today, with the full support of his family and friends, Senator Jim Mathias filed to run for reelection to the Maryland Senate to represent Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties.

Jim Mathias' opinion: Imagine farms, rockets and flip-flops as neighbors

We want our kids to grow up and find work here, but for years, high-paying science and technology jobs were few and far between. That's rapidly changing. We are proud to hear our kids say that when they grow up, they want to be Eastern Shore farmers, teachers, firefighters or police officers. Now they can confidently say "rocket scientists" as well.

A matter of when, not if for new rules

Mathias plans to continue advocacy during the 2014 session of the Maryland General assembly by introducing a bill that would require the Department of Agriculture to conduct an economic impact study before implementing the management tool."After this experience, the farming community feels like, fortunately, they are being listened to, and it's my job to make sure they are not only listened to but responded to," Mathais said.

Governor O'Malley announces construction investments for new roundabout for University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Somerset County

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O'Malley today announced $3.7 million in transportation investments following the passage of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act to start construction of a new roundabout at MD 822 and MD 675 in Princess Anne, Somerset County.

Senator Captures Fastest Pickin' Title

SNOW HILL: State Senator Jim Mathias (D-38), who represents the Lower Shore, added another feather to his cap so to speak last week when he won the 2013 Mountaire Chickin' Pickin' title at the Delmarva Chicken Festival, toppling the defending national champion in the finals.

Fire Volunteers, Dolle's Earn State Recognition

OCEAN CITY: On Monday morning Comptroller Peter Franchot presented proclamations to Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC) and Dolle's Candyland on the Boardwalk for their commitment to residents and summertime visitors alike.

Md. to appeal FEMA's denial of aid to state's Sandy victims
December 6, 2012
WBALtv.com

Maryland officials said they will appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's decision to deny aid to hundreds of Eastern Shore residents affected by Superstorm Sandy.

Md. officials fight for federal relief
December 5, 2012
delmarvanow.com

Elected officials have vowed to continue their push for federal aid for Lower Shore residents affected by Hurricane Sandy after the Federal Emergency Management Agency this week denied the state’s request for individual assistance.

Salvation Army Awards 2011 Bell Ringing At 2012 Campaign Kick-Off
November 9, 2012
Maryland Coast Dispatch

At this month's Salvation Army 2012 Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off Celebration breakfast, awards were given for the 2011 bell ringing. Once again, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City club won the first place volunteer hours award for civic group bell ringing, having put in 219 volunteer hours.

Good Things Delmarva - Making Strides

Bringing down the cost of oral chemotherapy
October 9, 2012
Baltimore Sun

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network applauds the work of the Maryland General Assembly in passing the Kathleen Mathias Oral Chemotherapy Act of 2012.

New state laws on car seats, chemotherapy coverage begin
September 30, 2012
Baltimore Sun

A raft of new state laws take effect Monday, imposing new requirements from the car seat to the hearse.

Lower Shore clinic launches expansion
August 02, 2012
Delmarvanow.com

With a growing staff and increasing volume of patients, the Lower Shore Clinic will expand its facility with the help of a recent grant.

Northside Park Movies Return
May 11, 2012
The Dispatch

The return of movies at Northside Park may be just what the North Ocean City Business Alliance (NOCBA) needs to get business moving in their direction.

Plans Underway For Three New North OC Events
April 6, 2012
The Dispatch

The North Ocean City Business Alliance held its third meeting yesterday at the Carousel Hotel where progress was made in planning new events for the northern part of the resort.

Renter Protection Bill Passes
April 6, 2012
The Dispatch

A bill that would afford protections to renters in the resort area and across Maryland when their landlords foreclose on their property breezed through the House and Senate last week and now awaits approval by the governor.

Mathias Bill Would Protect Renters In Foreclosure Cases
February 17, 2012
The Dispatch

With the foreclosure crisis not showing any real signs of abating, many renters in the resort area and across Maryland have found themselves literally left out in the cold, but a bill introduced in the General Assembly could afford protections for tenants caught up in the predicament.

Bill aims to make clear vet status
February 16, 2012
Delmarvanow.com

What if a military veteran could simply point to a line on their driver's license to prove their service rather than have to cart around official discharge papers all their lives?

Bill Provides Art Center Funds
February 3, 2012
The Dispatch

The proposed new Ocean City Center for the Arts, approved by the Mayor and Council last fall, could get a significant boost in state funding assistance if a bill introduced in the General Assembly by local legislators last week is approved by state lawmakers.

Resort Boat Ramp Funds In Md. Budget
February 3, 2012
The Dispatch

Plans for a new public boat ramp in Ocean City got a much-needed fiscal shot in the arm last week when Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials told local legislators the governor’s proposed budget includes over $800,000 in state matching funds for the project.

Dems hope to reclaim District 38
August 8, 2010
Delmarvanow.com

With Stoltzfus retiring, Jim Mathias saw his opportunity. Mathias, the former Ocean City mayor, is completing his first term in the House of Delegates in District 38B, which represents Worcester and Wicomico counties.

Breakfast In Support of Delegate Jim Mathias, Candidate for the Maryland Senate, District 38
July 28, 2010
Maryland Democratic Party

Politics, seafood mix
July 28, 2010
Delmarvanow.com

This is tremendous for the Eastern Shore. God bless Gov. Tawes for allowing the whole state to converge here to celebrate Crisfield," said Jim Mathias, a state delegate who is running for the Senate District 38 seat. Mathias acknowledged that past four years have been difficult for Marylanders, but said he's proud to have cast votes that have protected the state's high bond rating. That rating helps secure favorable interest rates for building roads, schools and hospitals, he said.

Election fields solidify at filing deadline
July 8, 2010
Delmarvanow.com

With J. Lowell Stoltzfus not seeking re-election for District 38B, several are bidding to replace him. Democratic Delegate Jim Mathias, who is running for the senate seat, will give up his 38B House of Delegates seat. He will face off against Michael James, the managing partner of the Carousel Resort Hotel, in what is expected to be a close contest. Two other candidates, Charles Mickey Lehrer of Crisfield and Rick Carey, who is unaffiliated and from Pocomoke City, have also filed for the seat.

Mathias Officially Files For Senate Seat
Originally published May 28, 2010
The Dispatch

Mathias Files For Md. Senate Campaign
May 28, 2010
WJZ CBS Local

Delegate Jim Mathias has filed paperwork to run for the Maryland Senate.

Mathias, a Democrat, is also a former mayor of Ocean City. He hopes to fill the seat held by Republican Sen. Lowell Stoltzfus, who has announced he is retiring after nearly 20 years in the Senate.

Mathias enters Eastern Shore state Senate race
May 26, 2010
Baltimore Sun

Mathias Files for Md. Senate
Posted May 25, 2010
WBOC16

James Mathias possible contenders for Senate seat
Aug. 14, 2009
Ocean City Today