The Capital Budget

Last week, just before the cross-over deadline for House bills to be guaranteed a hearing in the Senate, the House passed my legislation, HB 300.  The legislation would require the Maryland Department of Transportation and WMATA/Metro to study Metro-ridership as it specifically relates to Maryland.  This information will help us as we make Metro-related policy and funding decisions going forward and will build the constituency for this important transportation system in the state.  The bill will be heard soon in the Senate Finance Committee.

The study bill is just one component of the work I have been doing to bring more attention to WMATA in Annapolis.  Delegate Erek Barron from Prince George's County and myself have been leading a WMATA-Metro Work Group made up of other interested legislators.  The group has been meeting with state transportation officials, WMATA staff, WMATA board members, and other stakeholders in order to provide additional oversight of the transit agency.  WMATA is a difficult issue because of its multi-jurisdictional nature, but Maryland provides almost half a billion dollars a year in operating and capital costs and must be vigilant in supporting and improving the system.

Legislative News

I explained previously that the budget is made up of three components, the last of which is the capital budget.  The capital budget funds long-terms investments such as school construction or parkland acquisition.  The House of Delegates is taking up the capital budget this week and the big news for Montgomery County is additional school construction funding. 

For the past several years Maryland has been committed to a high level of funding for school construction and Montgomery County has benefited from that.  But it has not been enough to keep up with enrollment growth of approximately one high school worth of students per year.  The additional funding identified will be targeted at school districts with significant enrollment growth and a high use of portables.  Montgomery County should receive approximately $5.8 million, above and beyond the almost $30 million the County will receive under existing school construction programs next year.  A big thank you to the House and Appropriations Committee leadership for recognizing this important issue.  Also to District 20 Delegate Sheila Hixson whose legislation--which will also be before the House this week--is the model for this component of the capital budget.

The capital budget also contains funding for two important District 16 projects:

1. $50,000 for the Bethesda Graceful Growing Together Community Center.
2. $100,000 for the Josiah Henson Park.

I am proud to have worked with my District 16 colleagues to advocate for this funding.  Each of these projects required standalone legislation, a detailed application, and a public hearing.

Agency News

SHA has begun preliminary work at West Cedar Lane/Oakmont Avenue along Old Georgetown Road.  The project is expected to be completed in late summer of 2016.  More details are available here.

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).
• The Bethesda Literary Festival is April 17-19.  More information can be found here.
• On April 8th, Congressman John Delaney will hold his annual U.S. Service Academy Information Forum.  The event will be held at 5:00pm in the Bernard Brown Community Center (629 N. Market St., 2nd Floor) in Frederick, MD.
• 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-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce will hold its "Big Event" on Wednesday, April 22nd from 4pm to 7:30pm.  The event will be held on the 5th Floor of Pike and Rose (11810 Grand Park Avenue).  More information is available by clicking 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 Notes

• Congratulations to District 16 resident Elaine Joost on her re-appointment to the Bethesda Urban Partnership Board of Directors.
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Jonathan Sachs on his appointment to the Bethesda Urban Partnership Board of Directors.  Jonathan actually succeeds me in this seat.
• Congratulations to Friendship Heights Village Councilmember Elizabeth Demetra Harris on her appointment to the Friendship Heights Transportation Management District Advisory Committee.
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Dan Bolling on his appointment to the County's Commission on Veterans Affairs
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Jordan Cooper on his appointment to the White Flint Downtown Advisory Committee.
• Congratulations to District 16 resident Edward Snyder on his appointment to the White Flint Downtown Advisory Committee. 

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