MARC KORMAN
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LATEST NEWS

September Update

9/25/2015

 
As we head into fall, preparation for the 2016 legislative session continues.  I will be speaking to a number of community groups, civic associations, and other community members over the next few months about state issues.  If you know of a group that would like to hear from one of their state legislators, please let me know.  You can also keep up with all my activities by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.
Legislative News

Even when the legislature is not in session, the work goes on.  

About two weeks ago, I joined other members of the Appropriations Committee for a tour of schools in Baltimore City and Baltimore County and a discussion with the Maryland Stadium Authority regarding school construction.  The Maryland Stadium Authority has been partnering with Baltimore City on a massive school construction effort and there are important lessons to be learned for similar needs around the state.  Whether it is aged schools in Baltimore City, a lack of air conditioning in Baltimore County, or a lack of school capacity in Montgomery County, school construction is an  important issue.

Earlier this week, I attended a hearing on transportation held by the Joint Committee on Federal Relations.  We heard from the Department of Legislative Services, National Conference of State Legislatures, the Baltimore and DC-area Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and the state Secretary of Transportation.  It was an informative hearing.  I asked questions about state trials of vehicle miles traveled ("VMT") taxes as a future alternative for the gas tax, our regional Metropolitan Planning Organization's role with Metro, and the Purple Line.  The hearing can be viewed here.

The Appropriations Committee also held a hearing yesterday on Governor Hogan's 2% across the board spending cut.  Governor Hogan requested this cut as part of the current year's budget but declined to provide any details while the legislature considered the budget last year.  We authorized the cut on the condition that the Department of Budget and Management keep us updated.  Not surprisingly, the Administration has found that not all government agencies can absorb a 2% cut without affecting core services and is now seeking some flexibility--called deficiency appropriations--to handle the cuts.  The Administration's report is available here.

Agency News

Our County Board of Elections is responsible for selecting early voting sites.  What many are unaware of is that the County Board is actually controlled by the state and, therefore, a majority of its members are appointees of Governor Hogan.  Currently, District 16 has no early voting site but the Board of Elections has eliminated the site closest to a majority of District 16 residents: The Lawton Center in Chevy Chase.  Worse yet, the Lawton Center was swapped for a site in Potomac.  While I do not dispute that voters in Potomac should have access to early voting, when the County is limited to ten sites I think it is a mistake to eliminate a site near transit, employment centers, and dense community neighborhoods in favor of the much more sparsely populated Potomac.  You can read an article on the issue here.  The proposal now goes to the State Board of Elections, which I hope will reject the change.
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The state's Board of Revenue Estimates has released updated estimated budget figures.  On the basis of current estimates, the state will receive $80.6 million more in revenue in the current fiscal year than was previously expected.  You can review the new estimate here.

Community News
  • Don’t forget Ellen’s Run on Sunday, September 27th. Proceeds benefit the BCC High School Community Scholarship Fund for students headed to college and the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County.  More information is at www.EllensRunOnline.org.
  • I spent a substantial part of the summer serving as the House of Delegates representative to the County Executive's Transit Task Force.  The Task Force's draft report has been posted online.  A public meeting is being held onSeptember 30, 2015.  Details on the meeting are here.
  • BCC High School will hold a community meeting on September 30th from 7pm to 8:30pm to discuss the building's forthcoming addition.  Further information is available here.
  • The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will meet on Monday, October 5th at 7:30am at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.  The guest in October will be Delegate Kumar Barve, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • The Bethesda Green Gala will be held on Thursday, October 8th at 6:30pm.  Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club
  • MD Sibs2015, a conference connecting siblings of people with disabilities, will be held on October 17th.  More information is available here.
  • The World of Montgomery Festival celebrates and displays the rich cultural heritages of the DC Area.  The festival will be held at Montgomery College Rockville on Sunday, October 18th, from noon to 5:00pm.  The free festival includes an international village, a global kitchen with chef demonstrations of traditional ethnic food, a craft market, a Parade of Cultures, two performance stages of traditional dance and music, traditional arts and fun interactive activities for the whole family.  For more information visitwww.worldofmontgomery.com.
  • ​On October 22nd at 7pm, leaders from our state Department of Transportation will provide their annual "Road Show" in Rockville to discuss transportation priorities.  The event is held at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville (3rd Floor).
  • On November 18th 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. 
If you know of an upcoming community event, please email marc@marckorman.com

​District 16 Notes
  • Congratulations to former School Board President and District 16 resident Shirley Brandman, who has been named Interim Director for the Children's Opportunity Fund, which will provide services and support to help close the achievement gap.
  • Congratulations to my colleague, Delegate Bill Frick, on his appointment as co-chair of the Commission on Maryland Retirement Security and Savings.  More information about the task before Delegate Frick is available here.
  • Vivian Bass, a District 16 resident, has announced her anticipated retirement as CEO from the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH).  JFGH does incredible work helping our community's most vulnerable and Vivian has been an exceptional leader for this important organization.
  • Congratulations to District 16's own Stephen Rockower on being elected as  the President-elect of the Maryland State Medical Society (MedChi).  Dr. Rockower is an orthopedist in North Bethesda.
  • A number of students in District 16 schools are National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.  Congratulations! A list is available by clicking here.  
  • Congratulations to former District 16 Delegate candidate Kyle Lierman--and brother of my House colleague Brooke Lierman--on his wedding.
  • Condolences to the friends and family of Ann Statland.  Ann was an active Democratic in nearby Kensington and passed away in August.
  • Condolences  to District 16 activists Mike Beland, Cate Hodgetts, and Madaleine Beland on the passing of Mike's father, Joseph Beland.
  • Condolences​ to the friends and family of my colleague, Jim Proctor, who recently passed away.
If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences, please email marc@marckorman.com.

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