Appropriations Committee Work

As I explained last week, several colleagues and I have been engaged in a post mortem review of the blizzard clean-up.  The Washington Post has covered these efforts. Last week, Transportation Secretary Rahn appeared before the Appropriations Committee and I took the opportunity to ask him about the State Highway Administration's ("SHA's") recent performance, as well as some of my long-standing concerns with SHA.  I was appalled to hear the Secretary describe SHA's performance as "excellent."  You can view his response here.  It begins about an hour and five minutes into the hearing.

Legislative News

A few weeks ago I provided an overview of the budget as introduced by Governor Hogan.  As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am now engaged in the daily work of reviewing the Governor's budget request agency-by-agency.  You can see the hearing schedule and review the Department of Legislative Services' background on each agency's budget here.

You may have read about the Governor introducing a "supplemental budget" last week.  This is a common procedure to alter the previously introduced budget (there were several introduced last year).  Last week's supplemental budget provides operating funding for a hospital in Prince George's County and can be found here.

One of Montgomery County's concerns with the budget is the defunding of a building at the Universities at Shady Grove.  You can read about the effort to restore that funding here.
-------
Montgomery County Public Schools recently announced the hiring of Jack Smith as the new Superintendent.  I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Smith in his two capacities with the Maryland State Department of Education.  He is well qualified for the position and I wish him good luck in his new role.

Administration News

Last week I mentioned the Governor's State of the State.  You can read the address in its entirety here.

Community News

• Save the Date for the District 16 Democratic Club debate for 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary candidates at Walt Whitman High School.  The event will be held on Sunday, February 28 from 3pm to 5pm.  
• On March 5 and 6, Walter Johnson High School is holding a used book sale.
• On March 12 and 13, BCC High School is holding its annual used book sale.  As a personal aside, I have been to this book sale in the past and found many great items.

If you know of an upcoming community event, please email [email protected].

​District 16 Notes

• In a recent conversation with Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson, he observed that District 16 has the most registered voters of any legislative district in the state.  You can see the numbers here.
• Active District 16 resident Russell Lacey brought to my attention a scholarship for the restaurant industry that may be of interest.
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Sam Deutsch on his success on Jeopardy.  Coincidentally, Mr. Deutsch followed my path in graduating Richard Montgomery High School and attending the University of Southern California.  Given his success on Jeopardy, the comparisons end there.
• Congratulations to Jordan Cooper on being appointed to the District 16 Democratic Club Board.

If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences, please email [email protected]