Digging Out and the Budget

Dear Friend:

​As we dig out of the first--and possibly last--snow storm of the year (and our area largely avoided major impacts), here are some websites and phone numbers that could be of interest.

One of the major issues being debated on the House floor this week is the budget, the only bill that constitutionally must be passed each annual legislative session.  As a member of the Appropriations Committee, a significant amount of my daily work has related to the budget.  The Appropriations Committee is organized into four subject matter subcommittees: Education and Economic Development (on which I serve); Environment and Transportation; Health and Human Resources; and Public Safety.  Each subcommittee reviews the proposed budget for the state agencies affecting those issue areas and makes recommendations to the full committee.  As a reminder, the legislature cannot add funding to a line item of the Governor's proposed budget, it can only reduce funding.  However, the budget introduced this year included a Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (known as a BRFA), which contains changes to state funding formulas which the legislature can reject.  Some of the major actions taken by the Appropriations Committee in this year's budget include:

• Rejected the Governor's proposed cut to the reimbursement rate for those who work with our disabilities community and providing their full, previously agreed upon rate increase;
• Provided sufficient higher education funding to hold any tuition increases at the low single digits;
• Fully funded all state-mandated education funding formulas;
• Funded the state pension at the actuarially required level plus a $75 million bonus payment; and
• Reduced funding in multiple agencies to create a larger "fund balance" of remaining state dollars for other necessary priorities.

After the House passes the budget and BRFA, the Senate will take them up.  The House will then turn to the capital budget which is the state's construction budget, about which I will provide more details next week.

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 I provided a complete update on my currently pending legislation.  The only major update since last week is that the State Board of Elections Transparency Act (HB 169) has been passed out of committee and is now pending on the House floor.
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I was invited to make comments about the Jewish celebration of Purim on the House floor last week.  You can read my remarks here.
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Two significant bills passed the House last week that may be of interest.  First, the House of Delegates passed a prohibition on fracking in the state of Maryland which would replace a soon to expire moratorium on the practice.  Second, the House passed a bill reforming the state's parole procedure for those sentenced to life with parole, reducing the political aspects of the process to ensure that public safety is the primary concern.  Both bills are now pending in the State Senate.

Administration News

The state's Board of Revenue Estimates has released its latest estimates last week.  The projections show a net $33 million write-down to General Fund revenue estimates as well as a $34 million reduction in expected gaming revenue for the Education Trust Fund.  These revisions will affect budget decisions over the last few weeks of the legislative session.
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Progress has been slow with efforts to improve traffic safety along River Road at Whitman High School.  A recent Washington Post article outlines some of the efforts being undertaken.

Community Events

• 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.

• The Montgomery County Taxpayers League will host a forum on the Montgomery County budget with the County's Budget Director, Jennifer Hughes, on Wednesday, March 22nd at 7pm at 100 Maryland Avenue.  Visitwww.mctaxpayersleague.org for more information.

• Walter Johnson High School's performance of The Phantom of the Opera will be shown from March 24 through April 1.  Tickets are available at https://wj-stage.ticketleap.com/the-phantom-of-the-opera/.

• The Kensington-Parkwood PTA is holding a benefit for Comfort Cases, children entering the foster program each year with few possessions.  Drop off boxes are at Kensington Parkwood Elementary and Kensington Row Bookshop where backpacks, toiletries, and school supplies can be brought.  A packing party will take place on March 25 from 10am to noon.  Email[email protected] 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

• The Commission on Aging Wants to Hear From You About Housing, Transportation, Communication and Home & Community Based Services.  The event will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

• The Davis Library will reopen on April 8 at 10am.

• Adventure Theatre is holding its 65th season gala on Thursday, April 20.  More information is available at http://www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org/givetoatmtc/gala.html.

• The BCC High School Class of 1977 40th Reunion is on Saturday, April 22from 7pm to 11pm at the Knights of Columbus, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue in Silver Spring.

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

Community News

• Leadership Montgomery is now recruiting for all classes.  I was a core participant in 2013 and highly recommend the program.  Visit https://www.leadershipmontgomerymd.org/our-programs for more information.

• Several District 16 residents have recently joined or been reappointed to County boards and commissions:
  • Commission on Aging: Shenita Freeman
  • Committee on Hate Violence: Sheanique Thompson
  • Commission on Veterans Affairs: Ron Drach and Susan Webman
  • Commission on People with Disabilities: Scott Hunger

​Chuck Kaufman has also departed the Commission on Aging after several years of distinguished service.