Thank you, P3, and More: June Update

Thank you to those who joined us at my annual fundraiser on June 1st.  We had over 80 people in attendance, 100+ contributors, and elected officials from around the County and State on hand.  As I said in my remarks, I love this job and appreciate the support you provide to allow me to keep doing it.  Campaign contributions help pay for things like my constituent services guide, which I am delivering door to door this summer (sometimes with the help of my assistant).  If you were unable to attend but still want to support my campaign, you can give online here.

As always, you can keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or by clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.

Legislative News

In 2018, the legislature passed a bill that reforms many aspects of our state school construction program. It is not as exciting as school construction funding, but it is important. I will start serving on one of the work groups assigned with implementing the legislation this summer, the Work Group on the Assessment and Funding of School Facilities.
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I had had the privilege of chairing the Montgomery County House Delegation during the 2019 legislative session and was pleased to be unanimously re-elected for a second year in that position.  Bethesda Beat covered the action.
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Late last month was the Governor's deadline to sign or veto bills, otherwise legislation becomes law without his signature.  Here is the list of bills he vetoed (keep in mind, these are the Governor's descriptions of the bills).  It includes two obscure bills that were shepherded through the Personnel Subcommittee I chair, a bill to ensure funding for bikeways, and legislation to eliminate the handgun permit review board to bring some sanity to handgun permitting appeals.  The legislature will likely attempt to override some of these vetoes, an action we can take the next time we convene.

And here is a list of the bills the Governor allowed to be come law without his signature. The list includes the statewide polystyrene ban and my legislation on regional cooperation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.  Maryland Matters covered some of the bills the Governor allowed to become law, including legislation I authored on greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

Administration News

A lot has happened with the Governor's proposal to expand the Beltway and I-270 with privatized toll lanes since my last update.  The State Board of Public Works (the Governor, Comptroller and Treasurer) had before them the certification of the project as a Public Private Partnership in early June.  The Treasurer voted against the designation and the Comptroller only agreed to support it with certain changes: the project must begin with the I-270 segment between 370/Gaithersburg and the Beltway; the state must study monorail; and 10% of any toll revenues must go towards mass transit.  It is unclear what the changes mean for the project, but it is certainly a change from the year and half of dictates from the Maryland Department of Transportation regarding what the project has to be and the order it will occur in.  I was on the local Fox 5 to discuss the status of the project recently.  I also had the opportunity to participate in a longer form podcast on the project and a few other issues with Fox 5, which you can listen to by clicking here.
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State legislators from District 15 and District 16 have teamed up once again to support towpath rehabilitation along the C&O Canal. The linked letter is part of an effort to seek "Transportation Alternatives Program" funding from the state for the towpath.

Community News

• The Little Falls Parkway/Capital Crescent Trail crossing has had a temporary "road diet" in place recently to try and reduce traffic incidents there.  The Park & Planning Commission is considering a path forward there, including making the road diet permanent and putting other changes in place that you can read about by clicking here.
• The Village of Drummond is one of the municipalities in District 16.  Congratulations to the winners of the Village's recent election: Mike Cirrito; David Yampolsky; and Matt Kirtland.
• The Village of Friendship Heights also held its election and congratulations to the winners there: Melanie Rose White; Michael J. Dorsey; Paula Durbin; Kathleen Cooper; Carolina Zumaran-Jones; Michael Mezey; and Bruce Pirnie.  Thank you to outgoing councilman John Mertens for his service.
• Congratulations to Leslie Ford Weber, who just commenced a second term as Chair of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
• Diana Conway was recently elected Chair of the Woman's Democratic Club.  Congratulations to Diana!
• My seatmate, Delegate Sara Love, was recently interviewed by Ryan Miner on behalf of Center Maryland.  You can watch the interview here.
• And speaking of Ryan Miner, he also recently interviewed Councilman Andrew Friedson--who represents almost all of District 16 at the local level--on his podcast.  You can listen to it by clicking this link.
• District 16's Joan Fidler is being recognized for her work by the Montgomery County Civic Federation.  Congratulations Joan!

Community Events

• On Tuesday, June 18th at 7pm the BRAC Implementation Committee will meet at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center.
• Also on Tuesday, June 18th, Bruce Adams, Former Director of the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, will present on Montgomery County's five sister cities at the Connie Morella Library at 1:30pm.
• On Thursday, June 27th, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation will have an open house regarding Bus Rapid Transit at BCC High School, beginning at 6pm.

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​If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences or an upcoming event, please email [email protected]