A Week and a Half to Go: Weekly Update

There is about a week and a half remaining in the annual legislative session.  During this week, the General Assembly has passed the Operating Budget, will pass the Capital Budget and the Governor will need to decide whether to veto several pieces of legislation that have already been presented to him.  These bills include:

• The Federal Shutdown Paycheck Protection Act (HB 336): The bill ensures that those forced to work but not being paid during a federal government shutdown can collect unemployment benefits.  The Governor decided to sign the bill yesterday.
• Fight for Fifteen/Minimum Wage Increase (HB 166): The bill increases the Maryland minimum wage over a period of several years to $15 per hour.  Montgomery County has already enacted a similar policy.
• Community Control of School Calendars Act (SB 128): The bill repeals the Governor's Executive Order mandating that schools start after Labor Day and returns that decision to the local school boards.

As always, you can keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or by clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.

Legislative News

The final operating budget was passed yesterday.  I was honored to serve as an Advisor to the Conference Committee for the first time, as representatives of the two chambers hammered out House and Senate differences on the budget.

Here are some of the highlights of the final budget bill:

• Funds the Kirwan Commission education recommendations at a total of $255 million on top of the state's $6.5 billion statutory formulas for education.
• Establishes a framework for $500 million in school construction for next year.
• Makes the actuarially required payment of $1.6 billion to the state pension fund plus an additional payment of $75 million.
• Funds the State Reserve Fund (Rainy Day Fund) at 6% of general fund revenues;
• Expresses the view of the Maryland General Assembly that the Administration should withdraw the pre-solicitation report it issued regarding the I-270/I-495 widening public private partnership until the Environmental Impact Statement is completed and that any designation of a public private partnership or approval of related contracts should only be done by a unanimous vote of the Board of Public Works.

Community News

• Adventure Theatre's Artistic Director, Michael Bobbitt, is departing after 12 years with the Glen Echo-based theater.  Good luck to Michael with his new position in Boston.

Community Events

• The NIH Community Orchestra invites you to a free choral concert, "A Spring Concert."  The event is on Sunday, March 31 at 5pm at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane in Bethesda.
• On April 5th and 6th, the Bethesda Urban Partnership will host the annual Bethesda Film Fest.  Details are at https://www.bethesda.org/bethesda/bethesda-film-fest.
• On Saturday, April 13, the State Highway Administration will be holding a meeting regarding the I-495/I-270 widening proposal.  The meeting will be held at Pyle Middle School (NOTE: THIS WAS INCLUDED IN A PAST NEWSLETTER WITH AN INCORRECT LOCATION).  The meeting time is 10am to 12pm.  Note: In a prior newsletter, the date of the meeting was misstated.
• On Monday, April 15th at 7:30am, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from my seatmate, Delegate Sara Love, along with Delegates Emily Shetty and Jared Solomon.  The meetings are at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.
• On Monday, May 6th at 7:30am, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Sheriff Darren Popkin.  The meetings are at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.
• On Monday, June 3rd at 8:00am, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Attorney General Brian Frosh.  The meetings are at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.

​If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences or an upcoming event, please email marc@marckorman.com.