Please note: This fellowship is open to all genders. Fellows will be volunteers with the Maryland Democratic Party, and not considered employees. 

The Maryland Democratic Party is excited to announce the Summer 2022 Volunteer Fellowship Program sponsored by the Young Men’s Democratic Club of Prince George’s County. This fellowship will give young leaders of all genders a hands-on experience with both state and national politics. Fellows will have the opportunity to work with the political, fundraising, digital, communications, data, field, and operations departments.  

The fellowship will cover an eight-week period this summer. Fellows will either work remotely or out of the Maryland Democratic Party office in Annapolis depending on need and public health guidance. Fellows will be expected to commit at least twenty hours per week. Up to a $2,500 stipend will be paid to each fellow to cover related expenses. In addition to a stipend, these individuals will gain valuable experience on the inner workings of Maryland Politics. Fellows will develop valuable skills and relationships working with Maryland Democratic Party staff and elected officials.

Fellowship Applicant Requirements

1. Must be a registered Democrat.
2. Must be currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in political science and/or related field of study.
3. Must be a Prince George’s County resident and/or attending a higher education institution in Prince George’s County.

If you are interested in applying for the Young Men’s Democratic Club of Prince George’s County Fellowship Program, please visit this link.

Dr. Laura Antkowiak (formerly Dr. Laura Hussey) seeks an undergraduate research assistant for the spring 2022 semester. Expected duties will include providing behind-the-scenes support to a research project on civic agency that Dr. Antkowiak will be conducting with her POLI 301 students; finding and summarizing academic literature, political commentary, and possible data sources for emerging research topics; developing her UMBC website; and various information-search activities to support her teaching. If needed, depending on skill level, duties may also include coding survey data.

The position will pay $15 per hour for 5-10 hours of work per week. Work may be performed either remotely or on-site in the Political Science Department, although applicants who prefer remote work should ideally be available to come to campus occasionally during business hours for an in-person meeting.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement, interest in American politics and policy issues, effective communication skills, and intellectual qualities of a (developing) social scientist such as curiosity, open-mindedness, and the will and capacity to think critically. They should also be reliable, accessible, flexible, trustworthy, and willing to learn new skills as needed. Having earned an A in POLI 301 or a comparable research methods class is strongly preferred, although not strictly required.

Interested students can apply by emailing a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript to Dr. Antkowiak at lhussey@umbc.edu. If necessary, they should be able to provide the names of two professors as references. Dr. Antkowiak will review applications as they arrive and continue until the position is filled.

Campaign Manager 

Field Director 

Lunar New Year is coming! The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is hosting a festival this weekend to celebrate, with a day of special programming available for free online! See the schedule on their website for more information. 

MESSAGE FROM CENTRAL PAYEROLL BUREAU 

2022 FICA Tax Withholding (PPE 01/01/22)

Through a post-audit process, Central Payroll Bureau (CPB) learned that highly compensated employees’ January 7th paychecks had FICA tax withholding amounts that were less than they should have been.  CPB discovered that a glitch in its system prevented the full FICA tax amount from being withheld.  FICA taxes are calculated based on Social Security wage limits.  For tax year 2021, the limit was $142,800.  For tax year 2022, the limit is $147,000.  Our system captured 2021’s YTD Social Security wage balance and only calculated Social Security taxes on $4,200 which is the difference between the 2 years. 

 Please note that this issue has been fixed.  In PPE 01/15/22 (pay date 01/21/22), impacted employees will see an increase in their FICA taxes to collect all FICA tax shortfalls that were missed in the previous pay.  In PPE 01/29/22 (pay date 02/04/22), impacted employees will see their correct FICA tax withholdings.  Employees and agencies do not need to do anything to correct PPE 01/01/22 because FICA taxes will self-adjust through their paychecks dated 01/21/22. 

 If you have any questions, please contact our CPB Accounting Team via email CPBACCTG@marylandtaxes.gov or phone (410) 260-7964.