Bill Introduction Deadline

February 10 was the bill introduction deadline in the Maryland House of Delegates, the date by which a bill must be introduced in order to be guaranteed a hearing.  1,526 bills and nine resolutions were introduced in the House by the deadline.  Bills introduced after the deadline require a vote of the House to be filed and then are referred to the Rules Committee, which must vote them out and into the normal legislative process.  Late-filed bills have great difficulty moving towards passage.

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

Legislative News

Last week, the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on legislation I introduced regarding early intervention services for our students.  I was pleased to testify alongside Katie Spurlock, the constituent who first brought this issue to my attention.
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The House recently passed legislation to make our state higher education campuses gun free zones.  Those schools already have this in place as administrative policy and the bill would give those policies the force of law.  It is a small but significant step forward for gun safety.

Administration News

The State Highway Administration ("SHA") District Engineer visits with state legislators annually to discuss current system preservation projects.  The current District 16 projects can be found here.  The list does not include many study projects SHA is undertaking such as work on River Road near Whitman High School, a study at Ryland Drive and Old Georgetown Road.

Metro

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced it was withholding transit funds to the jurisdictions that make-up Metro because they have yet to establish a Metrorail Safety Commission to provide independent oversight of the Metrorail system, something the Federal Transit Administration is currently providing.  I understand the frustration with the slow pace of the jurisdictions, but I think this withholding of funding was unnecessary and will move up the date of the new commission's creation by weeks at best.  Maryland, Virginia, and DC must all pass identical enactment legislation.  DC has already acted and Maryland and Virginia will do so during their annual legislative sessions this year.  You can review the Maryland bill here.  I have a companion bill that will establish how Maryland will appoint its commissioners, something explicitly left to the states.  The federal government was in its discretionary authority to act, but I hope it will release the funds being withheld once Maryland and Virginia's Governors sign their state legislation.

Community News

• The Little Falls Library has been closed since the summer for renovations.  Its reopening has been delayed until May because of a burst pipe that caused water damage.  The Bethesda Library, which is next in line for renovation, will be closed for work at that time.  The state provides funding for these projects through its capital budget.

• Beginning at 07:00 a.m. on March 4, 2017 S. E. Foster L. P. will close Fairmont Avenue between Old Georgetown Road and Norfolk Avenue for one (1) day to remove the tower crane.  A flagging operation and signage will direct motorist and pedestrians around the work zone. In case of inclement weather or scheduling conflicts, the work will be performed on the following Saturday, March 11, 2017.  Those with questions prior to the start of work or during the work should contact the project Superintendent, Mike Burns at 703-373-4573,mburns@paradigmcos.com

• Ronald Cohen has been appointed to the County's Victim Services Advisory Board.  Congratulations!

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

​Community Events

• Bethesda Urban Partnership's "Play In A Day" Event will return on Saturday, February 18 at 8pm at Imagination Stage.  Learn more here.
• On Sunday, February 19, the Montgomery County Democratic Party will be holding its annual brunch.  More information is available on the Party's website.

• The Flying V Theater, which performs at the Writer's Center in Bethesda, is premiering a new show, Brother Mario, on Saturday, February 25 and running until Sunday, March 12.​  In this existential mashup of the worlds of Anton Chekhov and The Super Mario Brothers, Mario begins to wonder if there is more to life than jumping, go-karts, and princesses in other castles. Come visit the Mushroom Kingdom to battle Bowser and mid-life ennui in equal measure.  Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased online athttp://www.brownpapertickets.com/ or at the door.

• The Bernard Ebb Songwriting Awards, presented by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, will occur on March 3 at 7:30pm at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club.  More information is available on the Bethesda Urban Partnership website.

• The Fifth Annual Bethesda Film Fest, hosted by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, will take place on March 17 and 18 at Imagination Stage.  Visithere for more information.

• On Sunday, March 26, from 1pm to 5pm, the All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp and Oyster Feast Fundraiser will take place at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Tickets cost $50 per person ($45 if purchased in advance) for all-you-can-eat oysters and clams on the half shell, spiced shrimp, fried oyster, sliced ham, potato salad, baked beans, apple sauce, rolls, beer, and soda.  For tickets or further information, call 301-442-4136.  The Rescue Squad is located at 5020 Battery Lane (at Old Georgetown Road), Bethesda, Maryland 20814.  The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is a community-supportednonprofit organization that provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical services for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area, as well as Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.   With 150 active volunteers and a daytime staff, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad has evolved into one of the nation's most advanced rescue squads, providing compassionate, life-saving services to the community.  For more information, visit www.bccrs.org
  
  

If you know of an upcoming community event, please email marc@marckorman.com.