December Update: Happy Holidays

Happy holidays, from my family to yours!

​Next month, the 2019 legislative session will begin and these emails will be coming out weekly.  If you have any questions during the session or views you would like to share, just clicking reply to this email will deliver a message directly to me.  If you would like to see dates of interest during the legislative session, click here.

​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

Each year, our non-partisan Department of Legislative Services releases "issue papers" on topics that will likely come up during the next legislative session. The 2019 issue papers were recently released and you can read them here.
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As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I serve on the Spending Affordability Committee (SAC) that helps set the parameters of the annual state budget.  Last month, SAC held a hearing and received a briefing from the Department of Legislative Services on the state's revenue and economic outlook.  You can read the briefing online.

Administration News

The State Highway Administration recently lowered the speed limit on River Road between Springfield Drive and I-495 from 45 mph to 35 mph.  You can read about the change here.

The adjusted speed limit is partly a result of state efforts to improve traffic safety around Whitman High School.

Community News

• District 16's Bob Levey, previously of the Washington Post, recently released his first book, Larry Felder, Candidate.  I have a copy and you can read more about the book online.
• Robert Mertz of Bethesda recently receive the George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Individual Volunteer Service for the National Capital Region.  Mr. Mertz has been a longtime C&O Canal Trust Board Member and been instrumental in the Canal Quarters program, which my family and I enjoy and you can read more abouthere.
• As reported by local blogger and resident Robert Dyer, the Springfield Civic Association has selected its new board consisting of incumbents President Brent Mickum, 1st Vice President Cynthia Green, and 2nd Vice President Steve Schultz, as well as new board members Carol Anderson, Secretary, and Michael Robinson, Newsletter Chair.  Congratulations to all.
• Longtime Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club President Jim Mercurio is stepping down.  Jim has been president as long as I have been attending the club meetings--since 2005.  Thank you Jim!
• Whitney Ellenby wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post about sensory friendly opportunities for children on the autism spectrum.
• Congratulations to my neighbor, Former County Councilman Bruce Adams, on his retirement from County government.  Thanks to Bruce for his lifetime of service.  I am jealous of his retirement plans of baseball and trains, which you can read about here.
• Numerous District 16 residents have recently been appointed to County Boards and Commissions:
  • Bethesda Urban Partnership: Heather Dlhopolsky and Jane Fairweather;
  • Commission on Health: Lenna Israbian Jamgochian;
  • Commission on Juvenile Justice: Tracey Friedlander;
  • Commission on Children and Youth: Luciana Crotti-Espinoza;
  • Energy and Air Quality Advisory Committee: Christopher Avery, Astrid Caldas, and David Kathan;
  • Human Trafficking Prevention Committee: Diana Rubin and Heidi Alvarez;
  • Commission on Veterans Affairs: Susan Webman;
  • White Fiint Downtown Advisory Committee: Brian Downie, Michael Papillon, Thomas Murphy; and Bernard Meyers;
  • Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board: Ann Marie Mehlert; Samir Paul; Jon Weintraub
• On a sadder note, Friendship Heights resident and long serving Democratic Precinct Official Sally Hart passed away.  Sally was a regular presence at the polling place on election day and she will be missed.

Community Events

• Join County Executive Marc Elrich on Saturday, Decembr 15th for a listening session at 3pm at BCC High School.
• On Monday, 17, the Montgomery County House Delegation will hold hearings on local bills starting at 7pm at the Montgomery County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.  The bills that will be heard can be reviewed online.
• Please join the District 16 Democratic Club for a District 16 Team Send-Off on Sunday, January 13th at 3pm.  The event will be held at Lucy Freeman's home, 4708 Dorset Avenue in the Town of Somerset.

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​If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences or an upcoming event, please email [email protected].