Metro and Vetoes

One of my long-term goals is to improve oversight of our Metro system.  The Metro system is not directly controlled by state government, but the state does provide approximately $450 million a year in capital and operating funds.  The Governor also appoints members to the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority ("WMATA") board.  As a daily rider (when the legislature is not in session), I know first hand the challenges the system faces across a range of issues.  ​

​I was pleased to launch a work group in Annapolis to focus on the system with my colleague from Prince George's County, Erek Barron.  The WMATA-Metro Work Group was formed in 2015 to provide the General Assembly and citizens with oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (“WMATA”); to educate and inform the General Assembly about WMATA; to respond to challenges in a timely fashion; to make recommendations for long term reform; and to generally support and advocate for WMATA, a vital component of our state and regional transportation network, economic future, and environmental sustainability.

The tentative schedule of meetings for this session is now available here.

Legislative News

The big legislative news this week will be the General Assembly's efforts to override six vetoes made by Governor Hogan last year.  It may interest you to know that unlike some state legislatures, we do not hold "veto sessions" after vetoes are made and unless there is a special session, the first opportunity to override a veto is the next regular legislative session.  The six bills that will be voted on are:

1. HB 71-Capital Budget Line-Item veto of a project at the Maryland Hall for the Arts.
2. SB 190-Clarifcation that the sales and use tax we all pay must be remitted by online travel companies to the state (currently, consumers pay this tax but the online travel companies do not remit the full amount).
3. HB 209-A similar bill affecting only Howard County's lodging tax.
4. HB 980-A bill allowing Marylanders to vote upon release from prison.
5. SB 517-A clean-up bill that brings drug paraphernalia law in line with the current law that decriminalized small scale possession of marijuana.
6. SB 528-A reform to the state's civil asset forfeiture law, shifting the burden to the state to prove that assets should be seized.

Administration News

One of the major issues in our state is the quality of water feeding into and on the Chesapeake Bay.  The Bay is an incredible environmental, recreational, and economic resource.  One approach to Bay pollution under discussion is to allow the trading of pollution emission credits among polluters (similar to the old acid rain model, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and other greenhouse gas/climate change proposals).  There are some concerns with the ability to verify these types of credits but others believe this type of market-based approach is appropriate.  The Maryland Department of Agriculture has issued a proposal for trading, available here.  But many of the necessary details will be left to the Maryland Department of the Environment ("MDE").  I am concerned that MDE plans to design these rules without a formal and open rulemaking process.  I reached out to Attorney General Brian Frosh and his official opinion confirmed that such an approach would violate the law.  I recently shared the opinion with the Secretary of the Environment and a copy of my letter can be found here.

Community News

• The Montgomery County Charter Review Commission will be holding its public hearing on January 20 (tonight) at 7:30pm on the 7th Floor of the Montgomery County Council Building (100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville).  The Charter Review Commission considers amendments to Montgomery County's constitutional framework.
• The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing on the Westbard Sector Plan on January 26 at 7:30pm in the County Council hearing room (100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville).  Details about the sector plan can be found here.
• On January 28, Park and Planning will be hosting a community meeting regarding the Rock Spring Master Plan.  The event will be from 7pm to 9pm at Walter Johnson High School.  Details about the Rock Spring Master Plan can be found here.
• On February 1, Montgomery County Park and Planning will be hosting a forum on the White Flint 2 Sector Plan.  The event will be held from 7pm to 9pm at Luxmanor Elementary School, 6201 Tilden Lane in Rockville.
• Save the Date for the District 16 Democratic Club debate for 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary candidates at Walt Whitman High School.  The event will be held on Sunday, February 28 from 3pm to 5pm.  
• On March 5 and 6, Walter Johnson High School is holding a used book sale.
• 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.

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

District 16 Notes

• Congratulations to former District 1 Councilmember Howie Denis on his appointment as a commissioner to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
• Last week, I incorrectly congratulated Laurie Edberg on her graduation from Leadership Montgomery, but Laurie actually graduated from Leadership Maryland.  Congratulations Laurie!
• Congratulations to my Councilmember, Roger Berliner, on his appointment as chair of the Washington Council of Governments.  I am pleased that Councilman Berliner will be making Metro one of his major focuses.
• Congratulations to Drew Morrison—a member of Councilman Berliner's staff—on winning the Hays Outside the Box Transportation Competition with an application to improve transportation planning and public participation.

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