Let's Get This Started...

Welcome to Session Scoop, a blog written and maintained by the Policy and Communications Department at the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF).  We'd like to make our first post a formal introduction on the purpose of this blog, some background our agency, and a little bit about us. 

The idea for Session Scoop was born out of 1. our interest in social media and its ability to reach a mass audience (see e.g. Egypt) and  2.  the desire to make Annapolis accessible for everyone.  Over 2,000 bills will be introduced over the 90-day legislative session - even for the seasoned politician - that's a lot to keep up with!  We hope to bring you at least one posting per week over the next ten weeks on topics that interest us and our industry including  insurance, vehicle safety, financial literacy, and more. We will not take a position on legislation, instead we will inform our readers on the facts of specific legislation and its impact on Marylanders.
 
MAIF is a quasi-State agency created by the Maryland General Assembly in 1972 to provide automobile insurance to those residents unable to find insurance through private market means.  MAIF is a part of the Executive Department and reports to the Governor.  Although it maintains many of the qualities of a State agency, MAIF is not taxpayer funded.

The Policy and Communications Department (PCD) is part of the Executive Department at MAIF and reports to MAIF's Executive Director.  PCD is Director of Governmental Affairs and Policy, Mark McCurdy, Associate Director of Legislation, Sandy Dodson, and Communications Specialist, Adrienne Diaczok.   Mark McCurdy (pictured right) is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Maryland College Park and has a J.D. degree with honors from the University of Maryland Law School.  Prior to working directly for MAIF, Mark spent almost 25 years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland.  With the AG's office Mark handled high profile trial and appellate cases for the State, including courtroom wins allowing the State's light rail project, and multi- million dollar recoveries in cases stemming from the collapse of the State's Savings and Loan industry.

Sandy Dodson (pictured middle) has worked with MAIF legislation for the past 15 years.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Salisbury State College, now Salisbury University.  Sandy is also a board member of the Maryland Government Relations Association (MGRA). 

Adrienne Diaczok (pictured left) has worked in government communications since 2002.  She has Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Mass Communications from Towson University and is currently working on a Masters Program in Communications and Urban Studies.