More Bills and the Governor's Agenda

Thursday is the bill introduction deadline in the House of Delegates.  Any bill introduced aftertomorrow at 5pm is not guaranteed a hearing.  I am in the process of introducing two more pieces of legislation before the deadline:

1. Sidewalk Closure Bill: Anyone who has walked around downtown Bethesda or other areas with construction knows that sidewalk closures are commonplace.  Many of our local roads are actually state roads.  My proposed legislation would require that the State Highway Administration provide more notice of sidewalk closures when they issue a permit allowing their closure, including letting local businesses and residents know about a closure in advance, posting the expected duration of the closure, and posting contact information of the permittee.  Bethesda Now recently wrote about this legislation.

The legislation is co-sponsored by my fellow District 16 Delegates Bill Frick and Ariana Kelly and is companion legislation to initiatives of Councilmember Roger Berliner.  The bill is HB 545 and can be followed here.  It will be heard by the Environment and Transportation Committee onMarch 5th.

2. StEP Act: The Stored Energy and Power Act ("StEP Act") would jumpstart the stored power industry in our state.  Through new technology, we can actually store electricity.  For example, if a wind farm is producing power at night when consumers do not need it, the power can be stored for use during the day.  My proposed legislation would change the state's existing definition of stored power to include power stored from renewable sources like wind and solar, establish a demonstration project in the state to see if stored power is compatible with our energy grid, and require a detailed study for further action.
Legislative News

At last week's State of the State address, Governor Hogan set out his legislative agenda for the state.  Frankly, much of what Governor Hogan said was campaign rhetoric and did not represent serious proposals for governing.  But here are the initiatives that could be discerned:

• Stormwater Management Fee Repeal
• Increased Military Retirement Income Tax Exclusion
• Income Tax Exemption Fire/Rescue/EMS personnel
• BOAST Income Tax Credit for Donations to Private
  Schools
• Personal Property Tax Exemption for Small
  Businesses
• Public Funding for Gubernatorial Campaigns Income
  Tax Check-off
• Repeal of Future Phase-In of Gas Tax Funding and
  Elimination of CPI Indexing
• Adjustment to Highway User Formulas (local share of the state gas tax)
• Expansion of Charter Schools

We should expect significant debate about these issues over the coming months.

Agency News

• Park and Planning is engaged in a major renovation of Caroline Freeland Park on Arlington Road in downtown Bethesda.  If you visit their website and click on "Preferred Plan," you can see what is being proposed.  Public comments will be accepted until February 23rd.
• WMATA has announced that the Bethesda Metro Station will be closed on Saturday, February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd.  This is part of the long-term escalator replacement project.

Community News

• On Sunday, February 22nd, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will be hosting their annual brunch.  Please click here for more information.
• On Thursday, February 26th the Montgomery County Civic Federation is hosting a MCPS Fy16 Operating Budgetpalooza!  The event is held at the BCC Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane) from 7pm-9:30pm.  Click here for more details.
• On Friday, February 27th the Friends of the Clara Barton Community Center are hosting a bingo night to support the center.  The event will be from 7pm to 9pm at the Clara Barton Community Center, 7425 MacArthur Boulevard in Cabin John.  Bingo cards cost $5.
• The Bernard Ebb Songwriting Awards are on March 6th at 8pm at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue.  Click here for details.

If you know of an event that should be advertised, please email the information to[email protected].

​District 16 Notes

• Congratulations to District 16 precinct official Judy Hallett on the birth of her granddaughter, Celeste Beatrix Miller.
• Congratulations to District 16 residents David Naimon and Mary Ann Keeffe on their nomination by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee for reappointment to the County Board of Elections.

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