Anne Healey

Anne Healey (born January 2, 1951) is an American politician. She is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 22 in Prince George's County since 1991. She previously served on the City Council in Hyattsville, Maryland from 1987 to 1990.

Early life and education Healey was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on January 2, 1951. She graduated from Cathedral High School, and later attended Marywood College, where she earned a B.A. degree in 1972, and the Catholic University of America, where she earned a M.A. degree in 1974. From 1987 to 1990, Healey served on the Hyattsville City Council. Afterwards, she ran for state delegate in District 22, winning the Democratic primary with 18 percent of the vote

During her tenure, Healey served as a member of the Ways and Means Committee from 1991 to 2006, afterwards serving on the Environmental Matters Committee (later renamed to the Environment and Transportation Committee) until 2027. She was also a member of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee from 1998 to 2006, later serving as the committee's chair from 2013 to 2027. Healey was a member of the Prince George's County Delegation, the Women Legislators of Maryland, the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, the Maryland Veterans Caucus, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, and the Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus.

Political positions Education Healey introduced legislation during the 2013 legislative session that would make the Maryland school year start after Labor Day. The bill passed to form a task force investigating a post-Labor Day start, of which Healey was a member. In 2019, Healey voted for, and later voted to override the governor's veto on, a bill that would allow school districts to start before Labor Day.

Environment In 2015, Healey introduced legislation to protect bees from neonics. The bill passed and became law on May 28, 2016.

In 2017, Healey sponsored legislation that would require developers to replant an acre of trees for every acre of forest they clear. Healey introduced legislation during the 2018 legislative session that would create a state definition for priority forests to improve state conservation laws. In 2019, Healey introduced legislation to create a task force to monitor and address future deforestation and make recommendations to prevent forest loss without disrupting growth and development.

Health care In 2004, Healey voted in favor of legislation that would levy a two-percent tax on health maintenance organizations to keep medical malpractice insurance costs for doctors in check.

In 2006, Healey voted in favor of legislation that would require Walmart to pay more for employee health care benefits. The bill was vetoed by Governor Bob Ehrlich, and the legislature failed to override his veto on an 88-50 vote in the House and a 30-17 vote in the Senate.

In 2019, Healey voted in favor of legislation that would create a five-person panel to investigate and negotiate the prices of high-priced drugs.

Immigration In 2021, Healey voted in favor of legislation that would prohibit state and local government agencies from providing records or data to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the purpose of civil immigration enforcement.

National politics During the 2016 presidential primaries, Healey endorsed Martin O'Malley. In 2020, she endorsed Joe Biden.

Social issues In 2001, Healey voted in favor of legislation that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. In 2006, she opposed legislation that would ban gay marriage in Maryland. The bill failed to pass out of the House of Delegates on a 61-78 vote.

Healey opposes the death penalty. In 2013, she voted in favor of legislation to repeal the death penalty, which was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.

In 2003, Healey supported a proposal that would strip funding for abortion from the state budget. In 2005, she voted against a bill to provide state funding toward embryonic stem cell research. In 2022, Healey voted against the Abortion Care Access Act, a bill to expand the array of medical providers who could perform abortions. She also voted against overriding the gubernatorial veto on the bill. Healey was targeted for a primary challenge by Pro-Choice Maryland in 2022 for her anti-abortion stances. She won the primary.

Taxes In 2013, Healey voted in favor of legislation to raise the state's fuel tax to replenish the state's transportation fund. In 2015, Healey voted against legislation that would repeal Maryland's "Rain Tax".

Personal life While reporting for The Catholic Review, Healey met her future husband, Neal Conway. Together, they have lived in Hyattsville since 1979 and have raised two children. Healey is a devout Catholic and is of Irish descent. In September 2015, she was invited to attend Pope Francis's visit to the White House.

In June 2020, Healey was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her chemotherapy treatments ended in December and she continued to receive radiation treatment during the 2021 legislative session.

Electoral history