October Update

It has been a busy fall as I speak to community groups about issues in Annapolis.  A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak to the Committee for Montgomery about transportation issues in Montgomery County. ​

I also spoke to the Parkview and Luxmanor Citizens Associations, as well as the Brickyard Coalition in Potomac, about issues affecting their communities.  The Jewish Council for Public Affairs hosted several Jewish legislators--including me--at their Town Hall meeting in DC.  Finally, I joined several new legislators at the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

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

Legislative News

When Governor Hogan came into office, he withdrew a pending proposal from the prior Administration regarding smog reduction.  The alternative approach put forth by the Administration is weaker--partly because it does not require individual power plants to reduce pollution.  I joined with my colleague from Baltimore, Delegate Brooke Lierman, in organizing colleagues to ask the Administration for further information about this new proposal.  You can read the letter here.
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I recently participated in a hearing on the standardized testing burden facing our students.  Last year, the legislature established a commission to study this issue.  The Maryland State Department of Education has issued a preliminary report for the Commission's review that we considered at the hearing.  The preliminary report—called a matrix—describes each county's centralized testing requirement for students.  You can view it here.  The hearing can be viewed here. 

Agency News

The Governor has announced the reorganization of the prior Administration's StateStat office into a new Governor's Office of Performance Improvement.  More information about the new office is available here.
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A few weeks ago, the Maryland Board of Elections rejected the Montgomery County Board of Elections' recommendations as to early voting sites in the County.  There was particular concern by the state Board with the substitution of the Lawton Center in Chevy Chase with the Potomac Community Center.  The issue was returned to the County Board, which chose to reverse its decision and restore the Lawton Center, packaged with a request to the state that an additional early voting site be added to allow a site for Potomac.  The State Board then ratified the County's decision.  I will support legislation in Annapolis to add the additional site.

Community News

• On Wednesday, October 28 at 7pm, is the Rock Spring Master Plan Community Meeting.  The meeting will be at Walter Johnson High School.
• On Monday, November 2 at 7:30am the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will host Kathleen Matthews, candidate for the U.S. House, at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.
• On Thursday, November 12 at 7pm Congressman Chris Van Hollen will be hosting a Federal Employees Benefits Forum.  The event will take place at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street in Rockville.
• On Wednesday, November 18 at 7pm, the Montgomery County Delegation to Annapolis will hold its annual joint priorities hearing to listen to the public on issues for concern in the 2016 legislative session.  The event is held at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville (3rd Floor).  To find out how to testify, click here.
• On the morning of Thursday, November 26, the 33rd Annual Turkey Chase will take place at the YMCA in Bethesda.  Click here for more information.
• On Monday, November 30 at 7pm, the Montgomery County Delegation to Annapolis will hold its annual local bill hearing.  The event is held at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville (3rd Floor).
• On Wednesday, December 2 at 7pm, the Montgomery County Delegation to Annapolis will hold its annual bi-county bill hearing, which applies to legislation requiring both Montgomery and Prince George's County Delegation approval.  The event is held at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville (3rd Floor).

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

​District 16 Notes

• Congratulations to Walter Johnson graduate Florent Groberg on receiving the Medal of Honor.  More information is available here.
• Congratulations to Councilman Roger Berliner and his new wife Karen Moore Pitt on their recent marriage.
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Bonnie Casper, the new President of the Maryland Association of Realtors.
• Congratulations to Kimberly Alfonso and Rabia Zaman on their appointments to the Collaboration Council.
• Congratulations to Josh Rosenthal on his appointment to the County Board of Registration for Building Contractors.
• Congratulations to Harold Redden, Kathleen McKirchy, and Leslie Ford Weber on their appointments to the County's Workforce Development Board.
• Congratulations Josh Lamel on his appointment to the County's Consumer Advisory Committee.
• Congratulations to Nancy Soreng on winning the League of Women Voters' civic engagement award.
• Congratulations to the Brickyard Coalition's new slate of Officers and Directors: Ted Duncan, President; Curtis Uhre, Chairman; Keith Williams, Treasurer; Maria Fusco, Secretary; Charles Doran; Susan Shallcross Rufkahr; and John Phillips.
• Congratulations to Gregory Maydan on his reappointment to the County's Cable Compliance Commission.
• Congratulations to Staffan Sandberg on his appointment to the County's Cable and Communications Advisory Committee.
• Congratulations to Corinne Yourman on her reappointment to the County Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection.
• Congratulations to Lenna Israbian-Jamgochian, Fabienne Santel, and Sheela Modin on their appointments to the Commission on Health.
• Congratulations to Peter Lowet on his appointment to the Montgomery Cares Program Advisory Board.
• Congratulations to Aliza Fishbein on her reappointment to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
• Congratulations to Jan Papirmeister and Youth for Art Healing on winning the County Executive's Community Award.
• Congratulations to Christopher Morgan on winning the County Executive's Outstanding Artist Award.

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