Cathi Forbes

Cathi Forbes is a Democratic politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 43B. She was appointed to the legislature in 2019 and subsequently elected to a full term in 2022. Forbes has been active in various committees and has focused on a range of policy issues, including education, environmental sustainability, social justice, and labor rights.

Early life and career

Cathi Forbes was born on June 15, 1965, in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed her secondary education at Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio, before pursuing higher education at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. At Allegheny, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English language and art history in 1987. Following her graduation, Forbes began her professional career in Washington, D.C., where she worked as an editorial assistant at a magazine and later as an administrative assistant at an advertising agency. It was during this time that she met her husband, John Patterson.

In 1990, Forbes and Patterson relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. In Baltimore, she took a position with Barton Cotton, a company known for producing greeting cards. The couple later moved to Towson, Maryland, in 2000. During her time in Towson, Forbes became increasingly involved in local civic issues. In 2000, she founded the Coalition for Open Government in response to plans for a significant expansion of the Baltimore County Detention Center. Forbes argued that the expansion was being pursued without adequate public input and highlighted a prior study that recommended a new facility on a larger site.

In December 2007, she co-founded Towson Families United, an organization aimed at advocating for the construction of a new school in Towson or the reopening of one of three schools that had closed in the late 1970s. This initiative faced opposition from county officials, but ultimately led to the school board's decision to build a new school on the campus of the Ridge Ruxton School in May 2008.

In 2014, Forbes took on the role of mediation coordinator for the Baltimore County Orphans' Court, further expanding her involvement in community service and local governance. Her political career took a significant turn in September 2019 when she applied to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of state delegate Stephen Lafferty. Following a recommendation from the Baltimore County Democratic State Central Committee, she was appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates by Governor Larry Hogan on October 9, 2019.

Legislative service

Cathi Forbes was officially sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on October 29, 2019. Since her appointment, she has been an active member of the legislature, serving on several key committees. She has been a member of the Appropriations Committee since 2020 and has held the position of Chair of the Oversight Committee on Pensions since 2023. Additionally, she serves on the Capital Budget subcommittee and the Education & Economic Development subcommittee, both of which play crucial roles in shaping Maryland's fiscal and educational policies.

Forbes has also been involved in various legislative caucuses, including the Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus and the Women Legislators of Maryland, both of which she joined in 2019. In 2021, she became a member of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus. Her commitment to public service has been recognized by the Maryland PTA, which awarded her an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award in 2012. Furthermore, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Playhouse of Maryland and is a member of organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the Sierra Club.

Policy focus and district

Throughout her legislative career, Cathi Forbes has concentrated on a variety of policy areas that reflect the needs and interests of her constituents in District 43B. One of her primary focuses has been on education. Forbes has been a strong advocate for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a comprehensive education reform initiative developed by the Kirwan Commission. She has also supported significant funding for local school construction, emphasizing the importance of modern educational facilities. Forbes has been particularly vocal about the need to replace Towson High School, which is noted for being both the oldest and most overcrowded high school in the county. Her advocacy contributed to the inclusion of two new high schools in the 2022 budget.

In addition to education, Forbes has demonstrated a commitment to environmental issues. She introduced legislation in the 2020 session aimed at requiring solar panels on the roofs of all state-owned buildings, although this bill did not advance to a vote. In January 2022, she proposed legislation mandating that new state-funded construction or renovation projects, including schools, be designed as high-performance "green" buildings, reflecting her dedication to sustainable development.

Forbes has also addressed social issues, particularly concerning the legacy of discriminatory language in property deeds. In 2020, she introduced a bill that facilitated the removal of racist and anti-Semitic language from older property deeds by waiving associated fees. This legislation passed unanimously and garnered national attention for its progressive stance on social justice.

Housing is another area of concern for Forbes. In September 2020, she opposed a proposed affordable housing complex that threatened to displace a historic Black neighborhood, highlighting her commitment to preserving community integrity while addressing housing needs.

Labor rights have also been a significant focus for Forbes. In the 2021 legislative session, she introduced a bill that granted collective bargaining rights to staff at the Baltimore County Public Library. This legislation passed and took effect without the need for the governor's signature, leading to a successful vote by library employees to form a union in March 2022.

Through her legislative service, Cathi Forbes has established herself as a dedicated public servant, actively engaging with a range of issues that impact her constituents and the broader Maryland community. Her work reflects a commitment to education, environmental sustainability, social justice, and labor rights, positioning her as a significant figure in Maryland's political landscape.