The Final Days of the Session

We are now in the final days of the 2015 legislative session.  As I suspect is the case every year, there is still a lot to do in a short period of time.  The remaining issues that will be--or are likely to be--resolved before adjournment include finalizing the budget, addressing the future of fracking in the state, bills affecting criminal justice reform, and several items on the Governor's agenda described below.

My own Metro-related legislation pending in the Senate, HB 300, has received the unanimous support of the Prince George's County Senate Delegation and was heard by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday.  I will continue to work to advance it before the legislature adjourns.

Legislative News

The big news last week was the Governor's submission of a supplemental budget.  Many had expected a supplemental budget that restored funding for education and healthcare.  The legislature has identified the necessary funds for restoration, but constitutionally the Governor must amend his budget to spend those funds.  Instead, the Governor's supplemental budget includes a number of his pet causes such as narrow tax cuts for particular groups, two new classes of Maryland State Troopers, and a corporate grant for private school funding.  This is all part of the budget negotiating process and some of what the Governor has requested may ultimately be approved in some form.  But I am personally disappointed that the Governor is holding public education funding--something we all say we support--hostage pending passage of items on his legislatve wishlist.  As a reminder, the cut to Montgomery County education funds next year would be $25 million under the Governor's original budget.

Because of the timing of the supplemental budget, it will be discussed by the conference committee made up of House and Senate members finalizing the budget.

Agency News

After a long delay, RideOn and the State Highway Administration have been able to remove the inconvenient detour of RideOn Route 34.  The detour was a result of construction at Wisconsin Avenue and Cedar Lane.
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Shortly after the Governor's State of the State Address, I included a list of his legislative agenda items in my weekly email.  Here is a short update on where those agenda items now stand in the legislative process:

• Stormwater Management Fee Repeal-The Senate President introduced a compromise proposal that has passed the Senate and awaits action in the House.  As a reminder, Montgomery County had a version of this fee long before the state enacted its program.
• Increased Military Retirement Income Tax Exclusion-The proposal has not passed either chamber but funds to pay for it were included in the Governor's supplemental budget.
• Income Tax Exemption Fire/Rescue/EMS personnel-The proposal has not passed either chamber but funds to pay for it were included in the Governor's supplemental budget.
• BOAST Income Tax Credit for Donations to Private Schools-The proposal has not passed either chamber.  Funds for a one year grant are in the supplemental budget.
• Personal Property Tax Exemption for Small Businesses-The bill has passed the Senate and is pending in the House.  The supplemental budget also sets aside funds to repay local counties for one year of lost revenues (the personal property tax on small businesses is actually a County, not state, tax).
• Public Funding for Gubernatorial Campaigns Income Tax Check-off-This proposal has passed the House (and I voted for it) but has not yet moved in the Senate.
• Repeal of Future Phase-In of Gas Tax Funding and Elimination of CPI Indexing-The Senate Committee amended this proposal to cap inflation increases but it has not yet passed either chamber.
• Adjustment to Highway User Formulas (local share of the state gas tax-The Governor included some funding in his first supplemental budget for municipal and county road funding grants but the legislation has not yet been passed by either chamber.
• Expansion of Charter Schools-The bill was amended in the Senate and is expected to pass that chamber this week.

As I said above, there is still a lot to do on the Governor's agenda and many other bills before the General Assembly adjourns.

Community News

• On April 8th (TONIGHT!), 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.
• The Woman's Democratic Club is holding a program Tuesday, April 14, from11am to 12:30pm, at the Lawton Center on the Bethesda and Westbard Sector Plans.  Speakers will be Gwen Wright, Director, Montgomery County Planning Department; Leslye Howerton, Project Manager, Bethesda Sector Plan; and John Marcolin, Project Manager, Westbard Sector Plan.   This is a chance for everyone to find out what is proposed, the approval process, planning for green space, and transportation.  Come an learn how you can make a difference.  RSVP to Lucy Freeman [email protected], 301-654-8115.
• 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 April 17-19.  More information can be found here.
• The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce will hold its "Big Event" onWednesday, 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 Mike Lemov on the release of his new book, Car Safety Wars: 100 Years of Technology, Politics, and Death.  Mike's previous book is People's Warrior, a biography of Congressman John Moss which I highly recommend.

Congratulations to several local residents on being awarded "Golden Shovel" awards for being good Samaritans during the snow this winter.

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