Standing Up on the Floor

There have been lots of exciting moments during my first session as a Delegate, but a big one came last week when my committee and subcommittee chairs let me defend a bill on the House floor.  The legislation, sponsored by Delegate Karen Young from Frederick County, related to student data privacy.  The bill passed out of the Appropriations Committee on a bipartisan basis and I had the honor of speaking for the Committee on the floor.  I explained the bill and answered questions from three members of the minority party—including the Minority Leader—about the bill.  The bill ultimately passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority.

​Legislative News

Last week, I discussed the bipartisan budget.  The operating budget passed the House by an overwhelming 129-10 vote.  The Budget Financing and Reconciliation act (known as the "BRFA") that implements many of the legal changes required by the budget, passed 122-17.  The budget now heads to the Senate.

Tuesday was the "cross-over" deadline, meaning any bill that did not pass the House before Tuesday is not guaranteed a hearing in the Senate (and vice versa).  The work in the House ahead will largely consist of hearings and floor debates on Senate-passed bills.

Agency News

Before leaving office, the previous Governor published regulations related to the Phosphorous Management Tool ("PMT") to measure and control phosphorous run-off into the Chesapeake Bay.  Before the regulations became final, Governor Hogan withdrew them and introduced his own version.  I co-sponsored legislation to put in statute the original regulations.  Last week, the Governor, General Assembly, farmers, and environmentalists came to an agreement on the regulations.  The compromise clarifies the implementation schedule and closes a major loophole in Governor Hogan's proposal that would have never seen the PMT fully implemented.

Community News

• The Bethesda Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will meet on Monday, April 6th at 7:30am.  The speaker will be County Councilmember Nancy Floreen.  The breakfast will be held at the Original Pancake House (7700  Wisconsin Avenue).
• On April 14th at 7pm, parents and community members will gather at BCC High School's cafeteria to discuss the search for the next BCC High School principal.
• The Bethesda Literary Festival is on April 17-19.  More information can be found here.
• The Montgomery County Democratic Party's annual Spring Ball will take place on Saturday, May 9th at the Marriott Conference Center.  Tickets can be purchased on the Party's website for $100 each.
• Bike to Work Day is on May 15th.  The Bethesda "pit stop" will be Woodmont Avenue and Bethesda Avenue along the Capital Crescent Trail and will be open from 6:30am to 8:30am.  Other local pit stops include Friendship Heights, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, NIH, the Marriott Campus and White Flint.  More information is available from Bethesda Now.

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

District 16 News

• Congratulations to Whitman High School's principal, Dr. Alan Goodwin, who is celebrating 15 years as principal.  The school has had just three principals since it opened in 1961. Goodwin was an assistant principal before taking over when Dr. Jerome Marco retired.
• Congratulations and best wishes to Karen Lockard, principal of BCC High School, who has announced her retirement after 38 years in Montgomery County Public Schools.
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Margaret Greene on her appointment to the County's Public Election Fund Committee.

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