My First Bill and Other News

Now that we are several weeks into the legislative session and the Governor's budget has been introduced, the pace of work in Annapolis has increased.  Hearings in my committee--Appropriations--on individual state agencies and departments have begun.  We also held our first bills hearing on non-budget legislation.

But the big news for me was the introduction of my first bill, HB 300.  The bill requires the Maryland Department of Transportation to work with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ("WMATA") on a detailed ridership study that will tell us:

• How many riders there are from each Maryland jurisdiction by Metro mode;
• How Maryland riders are connecting to Metro (by car, by foot, by other mode of mass transit);
• Where Maryland Metro riders are going (elsewhere in Maryland, DC, Virginia).

This is important because Maryland sends approximately $450 million in operating and capital funds to WMATA and we must gain a better idea of how critical the system is to the whole state and not just Montgomery and Prince George's County.  I was pleased to have almost 40 co-sponsors on this bill, representing both parties and jurisdictions around the state.  Thanks especially to my District 16 colleagues Delegates Bill Frick and Ariana Kelly for co-sponsoring this legislation.  You can read the bill here.

In case you missed it, I was recently interviewed for Comcast Newsmakers and you can view my comments here.

Legislative News

A late-filed bill put in at the request of County Executive Ike Leggett would have authorized—but not required—Montgomery County to establish an Independent Transit Authority.  The vote to accept the bill for late filing (a procedural vote not on the merits of the bill) was controversial, but allowed a robust public hearing last Friday.  Following that hearing, County Executive Leggett withdrew the legislation.  I continue to believe there is merit in the concept of an Independent Transit Authority but there is significant work to do on the details of such a proposal including ensuring adequate control and oversight of all decisions, protection for our workforce, and many other issues.

Agency News

The State Highway Administration ("SHA") has announced several projects affecting our community.

• Traffic Shifts at Wisconsin Avenue and Cedar Lane: Starting on February 17, 2015, SHA will be closing the left turn lane from Wisconsin Avenue onto Cedar Lane westbound.  This turn lane is already restricted during rush hour but the lane will be closed until late summer of 2016.  This is part of ongoing work at that intersection to replace a culvert under the street.
• River Road Between Ventnor Road and Baltimore Avenue Project: A Notice to Proceed (NTP) has been issued for SHA's Safety Improvement project along MD 190 (River Road) from Ventnor Road to Baltimore Avenue in Bethesda, Montgomery County.  This project is for the intersection improvement of MD 190 (River Road) at Willard Avenue/Greenway Drive.  Beginning at the Intersection of MD 190 and Ventnor Road and extending in a South Easterly direction to  Baltimore Avenue for a total distance 0.18 miles.  The work will consist of the following
  • Roadway resurfacing and widening to incorporate a left turn lane from MD 190 EB to Willard Avenue.     
  • Upgrading pedestrian facilities at the MD 190 and Ventnor Road, MD 190 and Willard Avenue/Greenway Drive, MD 190 and Baltimore Avenue intersections, and facilities between intersections, including replacement of sidewalks, curb & gutter, and ADA ramps and installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals.
  • Upgrading traffic signal equipment.
  • Replacing drainage structures.
  • Replacing traffic barriers.

           No construction is imminent. Construction-related activity is expected to begin later this winter or in early spring when warmer temperatures return.

• Old Georgetown Road Reconstruction: A Notice to Proceed (NTP) has been issued for the SHA Safety Intersection Reconstruction project MD 187 (Old Georgetown Road) from South of Center Drive to North of West Cedar Lane/Oakmont Avenue in Bethesda, Montgomery County.  This project extends from 400 feet north of the intersection to 800 feet south on MD 187 and approximately 500 feet east from the intersection on West Cedar Lane. Major work includes realignment and widening on MD 187, widening on West Cedar Lane to add a west bound right-turn lane, new signalization at the MD 187 intersection with Oakmont Avenue and West Cedar Lane and with Center Drive.  The work will consist of grinding, resurfacing, wedge/leveling, pavement surface profile adjustment, bus pad placement, reconstruction of curbs, gutters, medians, sidewalks, ramps, new storm drain systems, utility relocations, and the construction of a concrete shared use path.  Also included is signal reconstruction, signing and landscaping.  No construction is imminent. Construction-related activity is expected to begin later this winter or in early spring when warmer temperatures return.

Community News

• ​​On Thursday, February 5th the Woman's Democratic Club of Montgomery County will be hosting a program on Campaign Finance Reform from 7pm to 9pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center (One Veterans Place in Silver Spring).  Speakers will include Congressman  Chris Van Hollen, Congressman John Sarbanes, and State Senator Jamie Raskin.
• 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, March 6th at 8pm, the Bethesda Urban Partnership is is hosting the first Bernard Ebb Songwriting Awards at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club (7719 Wisconsin Avenue).  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

If you know of a District 16 event that should be advertised, please email [email protected].

​District 16 Notes

• Congratulations to District 16 resident Jane Fairweather on being named by the Daily Record one of the most influent Marylanders.
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Michael Faden on his retirement.  Mr. Faden has worked for Montgomery County since 1986 and departs as Senior Legislative Attorney to the Montgomery County Council.

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