The Capital Budget and "Cross Over"

On Monday, the legislative session passed the "cross-over" deadline.  "Cross-over" is the date by which bills must pass one chamber to be guaranteed a hearing in the other.  This meant a flurry of legislative activity over the past few days, including aSaturday floor session.  Part of the pre-crossover activity was House passage of the Capital Budget.  Last week I discussed the progress of the operating budget.  I am pleased to report the operating budget was ultimately adopted by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 135-6.  This week we passed the capital budget, which is the state's construction budget.  The legislation includes many important programs but the highlights are:

• Stays within the capital debt limit proposed by the bipartisan and bicameral Spending Affordability Committee;
• Includes $280 million for the base school construction formula and an additional $60 million for school districts with a high rate of growth (like Montgomery County);
• Provides $400,000 for our local community gem, Imagination Stage;
• Contributes state dollars to the Student Services building and Math and Sciences building at Montgomery College;
• Funds the Universities at Shady Grove Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Building; and
• Grants state funds for local projects at the Bethesda YMCA, Gracefully Growing Together Center in Bethesda, and for a watershed improvement project in Potomac.

The Capital Budget is now pending before the Senate.

You can always keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter, clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook, or visiting www.marckorman.com.

Legislative News
Two pieces of legislation I sponsored have made progress in the past week.  The State Board of Elections Transparency Act unanimously passed the House of Delegates.  The Energy Storage Study Act passed more narrowly, but on a bipartisan basis.  Both bills will now be heard in Senate committees.
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I was given the opportunity to serve as "floor leader" on a somewhat obscure but important bill regarding state budget reform.  Currently, Maryland budgets on the basis of revenue estimates.  These estimate have been volatile over the years, meaning the legislature appropriates funds that may never materialize.  A workgroup made up of the Department of Budget and Management, the Comptroller, and the Department of Legislative Services issued a report on suggesting reforms to reduce volatility.  The approach adopted by the House limits the use of estimated revenue that is non-withholding income tax, which historically has been the most volatile component of revenue estimates.  Should the funds ultimately materialize, those dollars will be allocated to the state's Rainy Day Fund (the state's reserves) and "paygo" capital construction for education (i.e., construction projects for K-12, community colleges, and four year public higher education).


Administration News
Late last week, the Governor announced his position on two major bills moving through the legislature.  First, the Governor threatened to veto the earned sick leave bills moving through the House and Senate chambers.  Second, the Governor announced his support for the fracking ban recently passed by the House.
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Following a recent community meeting regarding River Road traffic safety near Whitman High School, I joined the other District 16 legislators, Senator Van Hollen, and Councilman Berliner in checking in on progress with the State Highway Administration.  As I have previously reported in this space, the State Highway Administration has been communicating on the issue, but not acting quickly enough.  The letter we sent is here.
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Many of our neighborhoods have experienced increase noise from airplanes over the past year or so.  Elected officials from our US Senators on down have been engaged in this issue.  I have attempted to involve the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), our state's regulator of airports, given their expertise with the issue around BWI.  I recently received a formal reply from the MAA--after months of informal communication back and forth--expressing at least some interest in the issue.

Metro
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued a report regarding Metro's SafeTrack program, including recommendations for how Metro should approach any future major capital programs.  You can read the report online. 
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I have been talking about Metro for years, including since I began running for Delegate in 2013.  But what awoke many non-riders to the issues was last year's all day, weekday shutdown of the system.  The Washington Post recently ran a detailed story on that shutdown.

Community Events

• High school students can begin to earn college credit through the Montgomery County Dual Enrollment Program.  High school juniors and seniors can earn transferable college credit at Montgomery College.  Dual enrollees can take any approved college-level course for which they meet the requirements and earn college credit while saving money.  The application for the program can be found at MC Dual Enrollment Website, along with other useful and detailed information.  Each high school has its own process, deadlines, and contact information.  Information for schools with a significant number of District 16 students is at http://marckorman.ngpvanhost.com/blog/dual-enrollment-program-high-schoolers.
• The Montgomery County Taxpayers League will host a forum on the Montgomery County budget with the County's Budget Director, Jennifer Hughes, on Wednesday, March 22nd at 7pm at 100 Maryland Avenue.  Visitwww.mctaxpayersleague.org for more information.
• Walter Johnson High School's performance of The Phantom of the Opera will be shown from March 24 through April 1.  Tickets are available at https://wj-stage.ticketleap.com/the-phantom-of-the-opera/.

• The Kensington-Parkwood PTA is holding a benefit for Comfort Cases, children entering the foster program each year with few possessions.  Drop off boxes are at Kensington Parkwood Elementary and Kensington Row Bookshop where backpacks, toiletries, and school supplies can be brought.  A packing party will take place on March 25 from 10am to noon.  Email [email protected] for more information.

• On Sunday, March 26, from 1pm to 5pm, the All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp and Oyster Feast Fundraiser will take place at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Tickets cost $50 per person ($45 if purchased in advance) for all-you-can-eat oysters and clams on the half shell, spiced shrimp, fried oyster, sliced ham, potato salad, baked beans, apple sauce, rolls, beer, and soda.  For tickets or further information, call 301-442-4136.  The Rescue Squad is located at 5020 Battery Lane (at Old Georgetown Road), Bethesda, Maryland 20814.  The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is a community-supported nonprofit organization that provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical services for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area, as well as Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.  With 150 active volunteers and a daytime staff, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad has evolved into one of the nation's most advanced rescue squads, providing compassionate, life-saving services to the community.  For more information, visit www.bccrs.org

• The Commission on Aging Wants to Hear From You About Housing, Transportation, Communication and Home & Community Based Services.  The event will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

• The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from State's Attorney John McCarthy at 7:30am onMonday, April 3 at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.

• The Davis Library will reopen on April 8 at 10am.

• Adventure Theatre is holding its 65th season gala on Thursday, April 20.  More information is available at http://www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org/givetoatmtc/gala.html.

• The BCC High School Class of 1977 40th Reunion is on Saturday, April 22 from 7pm to 11pm at the Knights of Columbus, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue in Silver Spring.

• There will be "A Spring Soiree in Support of Montgomery County History"
   on Saturday, April 29 from 6pm-8pm,  More information is at http://montgomeryhistory.org/springsoiree/.

• Save the date for the Coalition for Smarter Growth's walk in Downtown Bethesda on Saturday, June 3 at 10am.

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

​Community News

• Congratulations to Somerset Councilmembers Marnie Shaul, Franny Peale, and Barbara Zeughauser on their reelections.
• Congratulations to Suburban Hospital President Jacky Schultz on winning the Montgomery Women Shining Star Award and to the Montgomery Women Power Tea Marion Ballard and keynote speaker, Shirley Brandman, on a great event.
• District 16 is lucky to have many Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington Superstars.  Felicia “Lisie” Gottdenker is completing her two year term as chair of the Board and she will be succeeded by Heidi Brodsky.  Congratulations to both District 16 residents.