The Budget and Other News

The big news in Annapolis over the past week is the release of the Governor's budget.  As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am on the committee that will review and amend the budget as it moves forward through the legislative process.  More information about the budget is below.

​Closer to home, the County Executive has asked the state legislature to pass enabling legislation that would allow—but not require—the County to set up an independent transit authority.  This is a complicated bill and I encourage you to learn more about what he is requesting at a website the County set up.  The site includes a copy of the bill.  There is a hearing in Rockville on Friday evening at 6pm.  Bill hearings this time of year are typically held in Annapolis but in order to give County residents an increased opportunity to participate in the process, the hearing was moved to Rockville.  Details about the hearing and how to sign up to testify are available here.  Following the hearing, the bill will be referred to a subcommittee for further study.

Legislative News

The Governor introduced his budget last week.  In Maryland, the budget process is gubernatorial-driven.  Unlike Congress, the state legislature may only cut from the Governor's budget and not increase funding.  Like any large organization, the budget for state government is complex.  You can review the budget here.  You can also watch the Department of Legislative Services fiscal briefing on the budget here or read their presentation here.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will be sitting in numerous briefings over the next several months as we hear from state agencies, as well as outside stakeholders, about the budget and its ramifications.  There are some highlights that I believe are worth pointing out:

• The budget cuts the Geographic Cost of Education Index by 50%.  That is a more than $17.7 million cut to Montgomery County because of its higher cost of living.  Many of the other changes in the budget are cuts in the rate of growth--which can still have a huge impact especially as our student population grows--but for this program Montgomery County will be receiving significantly less funding in real terms.
• When looking at all forms of state aid to counties, Montgomery County faces a reduction in what was expected under current formulas of over $31 million (many other jurisdictions have more significant cuts).  This includes funding for public schools, libraries, community colleges, police aid, health grants, and environmental programs.
• The budget includes an unspecified 2% across-the-board cut to the state agencies.  Years before being elected I wrote a blog entry decrying these types of cuts.  We need to examine agencies more carefully to determine what is appropriate to cut and what is not.  Some agencies may need a 2% (or more cut) but other agencies may need a smaller cut or increases.
• The budget includes an unusual clawback  of a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for state workers.  This amounts to a pay cut for thousands of state employees.
• The budget includes funding for the Purple Line.  The Governor has said he still may not go forward with the Purple Line but it is a positive sign that the Governor has included this funding at the start of the budget process.
• The Governor has included an increase in funding for the Metro system requested by WMATA.  Funding Metro is important but it also gives us the opportunity to provide the necessary oversight to ensure rider safety and system reliability.

Please do not misinterpret these bullet points as the sum total of my thoughts on the budget.  These are merely a few highlights and barely touch the significant implications the budget has on education at all levels, transportation, healthcare, and the many other policy areas state government is involved in.

Agency News

One of the functions of our state's Department of Legislative Services is to audit state agencies.  The function is similar to the Government Accountability Office ("GAO") at the federal level.  These reports help to identify problems at agencies that can be fixed administratively or, in some cases, by legislation.  If you are interested in evaluating the performance of any state agency, I would encourage you to visit the website of the Office of Legislative Audits and browse through their products. 

Community News

• ​On Thursday, January 29th the Montgomery County Planning staff is hosting a public meeting on the downtown Bethesda plan.  The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 8:30at the Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane).
• On Monday, February 2nd the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will host Senator Susan Lee.  The event is held at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda at7:30am.
• On Monday, February 2nd the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board will host an operating budget forum with County Executive Ike Leggett.  The event will be held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane) at 7pm.
• ​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.

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

​District 16 Notes

• Congratulations to District 16 resident Leni Preston on winning the Families USA 2015 Consumer Health Advocate of the Year Award.  Leni has been a leader in the state in advancing, passing, and implementing the Affordable Care Act.

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