MARC KORMAN
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  • Home
  • About Marc
  • Issues
    • Airplane Noise
    • Animal Welfare
    • Budget
    • Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
    • COVID-19
    • Economic Prosperity
    • Education
    • Energy & Environment
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    • Pepco
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LATEST NEWS

Increased Public Transparency Passes the House

3/1/2016

 
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A few weeks ago, I discussed the Board of Public Works Transparency Act (HB 368), my legislation to require public notice of budget reductions being taken by the state's Board of Public Works.  I am pleased to announce that the bill passed the House yesterday and is now pending in the Senate.
Legislative News

I have been discussing the issue of energy storage since I first ran for the House of Delegates.  As Fortune Magazine recently explained, the "possibility of breakthroughs in batteries and other storage technologies could fundamentally change the world’s power dynamics.”  Energy storage technology utilizes batteries and other systems to store energy so it may be distributed at another time, usually when most efficient and cost-effective. This technology is often used in conjunction with renewable energy sources to distribute that energy as needed.  Expanding energy storage could have significant long-term benefits. It would:
  • Reduce costs to consumers and energy providers;
  • Increase grid efficiency;
  • Help expand the use of renewable energy sources in Maryland; and
  • Make Maryland an economic leader in this field which combines our state’s environmental, educational, and economic strengths.

To jump-start energy storage in Maryland, I introduced two pieces of legislation that were heard by the Economic Matters Committee last week.  HB 787 would follow the model of California and Oregon and have the state's utility regulator study and establish a storage procurement requirement.  HB 821 is modeled on a federal proposal and establishes an energy storage standard similar to the state's renewable portfolio standard (our clean energy requirement for electricity).  Energy storage is an exciting area of technology with great potential environmental benefits.  I expect that my pursuit of a meaningful public policy regarding storage will be a long-term effort.
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A major issue in our community is school capacity.  Five of seven schools in the Whitman Cluster; five of nine schools in the BCC Cluster; and four of nine schools in the Walter Johnson Cluster have more students than they have space for (actually, an improvement over recent years).  Last year, Montgomery County and several other jurisdictions obtained a special capital funding grant to support local school construction in districts experiencing rapid growth.  This year, I am supporting legislation to double that grant and advocates from my district recently testified before the Appropriations Committee, on which I serve, in support of the bill.
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I often get emails asking me to co-sponsor a piece of legislation.  Unlike Congress, it is difficult to add co-sponsors in Annapolis after a bill has been introduced (meaning it has been assigned an HB number).  Because of that difficulty, co-sponsorships do not carry the same weight in Annapolis as they do in Washington, DC.  That said, many of us do try to co-sponsor legislation we think is important if given the opportunity.  A complete list of the legislation I am sponsoring and co-sponsoring is available here: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=korman01&stab=02&pid=s...

Administration News

A terrible car accident occurred on River Road near Pyle Road recently.  Sadly, three people lost their lives.  The District 16 team has been working with Councilman Berliner on a range of traffic issues on River Road.  As recently as mid-February, the State Highway Administration denied a renewed request for a traffic light where the accident occurred.  Given what has happened, we will be re-engaging with the State Highway Administration to continue our push for improvements.  Here is a letter we sent to the State Highway Administration regarding the issue and they have already agreed to reevaluate the situation: https://www.scribd.com/doc/301478295/Letter-to-State-Highway-Administrat...

Community News
  • My family and I recently visited Adventure Theater in Glen Echo and saw James and the Giant Peach.  My four year old was captivated by the show and we highly recommend it for young families.  The next week, we saw Jack and Phil, Slayers of Giants-INC at Imagination Stage and it was another great performance.  We are lucky to have these cultural institutions in District 16.
  • Congressman Van Hollen’s office will be hosting a community meeting with representatives from the U.S. Postal Service on Thursday, March 3 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Westlake Post Office, 10421 Motor City Drive, Bethesda.  Residents are invited to attend to share their concerns regarding the mail delivery and customer service problems that they have been experiencing.
  • The second annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards will feature a live concert performed by the competition's finalists on Friday, March 4 at 8pm at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda.  More information is available here.
  • On March 5 and 6, Walter Johnson High School is holding a used book sale.
  • On March 7, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Congressional District 8 candidate William Jawando.  The club meets at 7:30am at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.
  • 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.
  • On March 21, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Congressional District 8 candidate David Trone.  The club meets at 7:30am at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.
  • Congressman Chris Van Hollen's Service Academies Forum will be held on March 21, 2016 from 7pm to 8:30pm at the John F. Kennedy High School cafeteria, 1991 Randolph Road in Silver Spring.
  • On April 4, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Congressional District 8 candidate Joel Rubin.  The club meets at 7:30am at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.
If you know of an upcoming community event, please email marc@marckorman.com.

District 16 Notes
  • The Montgomery County Democratic Party has announced its 2016 award winners.  I am excited that my constituent, Joseph Hooper a long-serving staff member for the Democratic Party has won the Rosalie Reilly Lifetime Service Award.  He is joined by several other winners including David Bailey, winner of the Kesley Cooke Volunteer of the Year; Lindo Borst Kolko, winner of the Democrat of the Year; and former County Executive and father of a colleague in the House of Delegates, Sid Kramer, winner of the Trustee Award.
  • Governor Hogan recently made numerous appointments to state positions.  Two of our District 16 neighbors have been appointed to the state's new Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation which is in charge of marketing our state.  Congratulations to Paul Nolan and Laura M. Van Eperen.
  • Congratulations to Jeffrey Slavin on his reappointment to the County's Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs.
If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences, please email marc@marckorman.com

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