June Update

Just as I finished this monthly newsletter, the terrible news from Orlando came.  The attack raises so many questions about how we treat those of a particular sexual orientation, access to firearms in this country, and the threat of terrorism.  One would hope the forthcoming presidential election would attempt to grapple with these questions in the way a democracy is supposed to, but I expect we will instead see angry tweets and loud rhetoric, rather than constructive thoughts or meaningful solutions.  What I found myself most immediately thinking is that each mass shooting--whether an act of domestic terrorism, an extremist religious action, the act of a mentally ill individual, or something else--seems to bring some new spin of horror: a college campus, a nightclub, a church, a movie theater, an elementary school, and so many other places any of us or our loved ones could be at almost any time.

Dear Friend:

Many of you were kind enough to attend my political event last week.  Thank you for your support.  You can still contribute here.

You can always keep up with all my activities by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.

Legislative News
Since my last newsletter, the Governor has taken final action on legislation passed by the General Assembly during the 2016 legislative session.  The Governor signed into law or allowed to pass into law without his signature the vast majority of bills.  He did veto five bills:

• HB 1106: This legislation altered the state's existing renewable portfolio standard (the amount of electricity we generate from renewables) from 20% by 2022 to 25% by 2020.  The veto of the bill, introduced by my seat-mate Bill Frick, is the most egregious by the Governor as it takes a winning environmental and economic formula for the state and rejects it.
• HB 1010: The bill would have established a board to provide oversight and a voice for riders of the Maryland Transit Administration ("MTA") system.  To most  of us, MTA is the state transit planning agency, but in Baltimore MTA is actually the transit provider (like RideOn or Metro in our community).
• SB 540: Legislation that involved approval of a development around Morgan State University which is a public institution of higher education.
• SB 907: The Harry Nice bridge is a two lane bridge in Southern Maryland that connects to Virginia.  It was opened in 1940 and a replacement bridge has long been discussed.  The legislation would prioritize its replacement with the Maryland Transportation Authority's budget.
• SB 910: The legislation would have created the equivalent of an economic think tank to help Maryland craft regulatory and statutory changes necessary to improve education for the 21st century.

The possibility exists that the legislature will override some or all of these vetoes, which requires a 3/5 vote of both houses.  The time to do that under the state constitution is the next meeting of the General Assembly, which will likely be the 2017 legislative session in January.
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Maryland has retained its Triple A bond rating from the three bond rating agencies. Not an exciting topic, but this is outside confirmation that our state spending, debt, and pension practices are working, at least from the perspective of the markets we borrow money from for our major capital investments. You can read the reports from each agency here.
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The state Office of Legislative Audits is charged with auditing each local school district every six years.  The audit for Montgomery County Public Schools was recently released.
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The Little Falls Library and Davis Library will both close this summer for six months for renovations. Little Falls will close on July 9 and Davis will close on July 16.  Approximately $700,000 of state funds from the Public Library Capital Grant Program was obtained in 2016 for these projects.  The KIDS Museum at the Davis Library will remain open.

Administration News
Earlier this year, the State Highway Administration (SHA) agreed to require permittees requesting sidewalk closures along state roads to provide public notice, matching county law.  SHA provided misinformation in response to a reporter, but rest assured that permittees are required to follow these notice rules for sidewalk closures.  Moreover, SHA plans to review its own procedures for when it closes sidewalks.

Metro
My colleague Erek Barron and I wrote an article for a local blog regarding some reform ideas for Metro.  You can read the piece on the Seventh State blog. 
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WMATA's SafeTrack program--an effort to squeeze three years of WMATA capital improvements into one year--has begun.  Here are three things to know:

1. There are three Red Line segments being worked on: Continuous Single Tracking Between Takoma and Silver Spring (Aug. 1-7); Continuous Single Tracking Between Shady Grove and Twinbrook (Aug. 9-18); Line Segment Shut Down Between Fort Totten and NoMa (Oct. 10-Nov. 1).  Remember, even if the segment of the Red Line you ride is not subject to a closure or single-tracking, the nature of the Metro system is that the entire Red Line will feel the effects.
2. Elements of SafeTrack apply to the entire system.  The system now closes at midnight seven nights a week and off-peak track work hours have expanded.
3. SafeTrack is not being done instead of other work.  The off-peak and weekend track work we have become (unfortunately) used to will continue during the SafeTrack work.  Continue to expect mid-day and weekend single tracking and delays on Metro.

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The federal government is requiring Maryland, Virginia, and DC to create a new independent commission to oversee safety issues at Metro.  The three jurisdictions have been meeting for months and have issued a draft proposal.   I have many questions and concerns with the draft legislation--which will undergo many changes before being passed.  I am working with other legislators in Maryland and the region on the proposal which must be passed in each jurisdiction in identical form.  Ultimately, the federal government is threatening Metro funding if the commission is not set-up next year, but many of us are trying to create the best product possible.

Community News

• Pepco is doing work on River Road between Little Falls Parkway and Western Avenue.  Lane closures are possible until July.
• The National Center for Healthy Housing, a leading research organization, has launched a study to examine the link between enhancing indoor air quality and reducing childhood asthma symptoms. In this study, 24 homes with asthmatic children will receive comprehensive home improvements including air sealing, insulation, duct sealing, ventilation upgrades, filtration upgrades, and more. There is no cost to participate, and families will receive up to $350 for their time. NCHH has selected ecobeco, which is owned by District 16 resident Brian Toll, as the lead Healthy Home auditor and implementation contractor for the study. To learn more about the study, or to apply, visit https://www.HealthyHomeStudy.com.
• The Montgomery County Civic Federation is holding its monthly meeting on Monday, June 13 at 7:45pm (TONIGHT) at the lobby level of the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street in Rockville.
• A public meeting regarding redevelopment of the Apex Building in Bethesda will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7pm at 4500 East West Highway, Suite 200.
• The Princeton Club of Washington is hosting a summer series on civic engagement by the engagement community.  Sessions will be held on June 28, July 12, July 20, and August 3 starting at 7:30am.  The events will be held at The University Club of Washington, DC, 1135 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC.  Cost per person: $25/session.
• The DSFederal-IDEA Foundation and The Amitofo Care Centre (ACC) are proud to present:  The ACC Goodwill Mission-2016 – coming to Bethesda MD on July 9 from 6pm to 8pm.  The ACC is an African-Buddhist school in Malawi, Africa. Children who attend the school travel annually to perform their exceptional Kung Fu, music, and dancing to raise funds for their upcoming school year. Last year, the ACC kids came and rocked Washington DC with great success. This year, they are returning on July 9th to Walter Johnson High School to continue exhibiting their unique blend of Chinese and African martial arts, music and dancing. For more information, see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/goodwill-mission-2016-tickets-25358109789 Please email or call [email protected] (or 301-208-2829) if you need additional information. 

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

District 16 Notes

• Congratulations to District 16's Reggie Oldak on being named Vice-President of Montgomery Women.
• Two District 16 residents won the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees Distinguished Annuitant Award: Constance Parker and Alan Kam.
• Congratulations to District 16's Leslie Ford Weber for winning the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce's Chairman's Award.  Larry Duncan, another resident, also won Business Advocate of the Year.
• Bethesda Beat reporter Andrew Metcalf was recently married.  Congratulations Andrew!
• Ashley Nee of District 16 is heading to the Olympics!  Ashley will be competing as a member of the Olympic Canoe and Kayak teams.
• Several District 16 residents were elected or reelected to the board of the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County.  Congratulations to Judy Morenoff, Nancy Bliss, Melpi Jeffires, Zaida Arguedes, and Diana Hibino.
• District 16 residents Eliza Voigt and Marsha Barnes have been appointed and reappointed, respectively, to the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission.
• The Montgomery County Civic Federation has awarded its Star Cup Award to Nancy Abeles.
• Congratulations to the B-CC Crew Team on sweeping the Maryland state rowing championships in Chestertown on May 1.  The men's and women's teams won in every single division.
• Condolences to Lucy Freeman and her family on the passing of her sister.
• Condolences to the family of Natalie Bouquet.  Natalie was a long-time Democratic precinct official and member of the Woman's Democratic Club.
• Condolences to the family of former Councilwoman Esther Gelman.  Esther was a mentor to me and dozens--if not hundreds--of other politicos in Montgomery County.

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