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LATEST NEWS

The March: Weekly Update

3/27/2018

 
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The activist energy that has emerged in the wake of Donald Trump's election has been inspiring: the Women's March; the airport demonstrations after the travel ban was announced; the proliferation of new, grassroots organizations; and the record number of candidates running for office all demonstrated the profound displeasure many have with Trump and much more about our current politics.  But this past weekend's March For Our Lives was perhaps the most inspiring because it was largely driven by a younger generation.  They were not responding just to Donald Trump of course, but to the complete lack of action on sensible gun legislation at the national level despite Columbine, Virginia Tech, Gabby Giffords, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Great Mills, and so many more tragedies. ​
Thankfully in Maryland, there has been some progress.  In 2013, the state passed the Firearm Safety Act which established some of the strictest gun control laws in the country.  But there is still more work to be done and during the current legislative session we are working to ban bump stocks, ensure domestic abusers surrender their firearms, take the politics out of handgun permits, and create a process that those who are a potential danger to themselves and others do not have access to their firearms.  There is much more to do—and national action is sorely needed—but these are positive steps in the right direction.

On a very different note, I had some great help in Annapolis yesterday from my son Harrison.  It is always great when I can share this job with my family.

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

Legislative News

During these final few weeks of the legislative session, much of my time is spent trying to get my bills that have passed the House through the Senate.  Two of my bills are already on the Senate floor: a local bill to allow country clubs to do some sales of wine for off-premises consumption tied to wine tasting events and legislation to help our state public employees union communicate with those it represents.  I have also had hearings on several other bills in the Senate including the Maryland Pension Climate Change Risk Act and the Maryland Metro/Transit Funding Act.
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Last week I spoke about the state's operating budget, which passed the House with bipartisan support.  House and Senate legislators are now meeting in a conference committee to harmonize the approaches of the two chambers.  This week, the House of Delegates is considering the state's capital budget.  The capital budget represents our state's annual investment in building projects such as schools, affordable housing, or health centers.  The capital budget authorizes the sale of bonds for specific projects.  The state has a robust process to cap the amount of debt issued to make sure it can be serviced (i.e., repaid).  The Capital Debt Affordability Committee ("CDAC") is made up of the State Treasurer, Comptroller, Budget Secretary, Transportation Secretary and a public member and recommend annually a cap on new bond issuances.  The Spending Affordability Committee ("SAC") is a legislative committee that makes numerous spending recommendations, including on the issuance of debt.

Some of the important items in the Capital Budget for our community and county include:
  • Additional Funding for School Construction: Montgomery County is the top beneficiary of a funding program for schools with high enrollment growth.  The program is supposed to be funded at $40 million but this year's capital budget increases the program to $60 million.  Almost half of the additional $20 million will flow to Montgomery County, on top of one quarter of the base portion of the program.  Montgomery County also benefits from the traditional public school construction program that does not focus on enrollment growth and is funded at over $300 million.
  • Universities at Shady Grove: The state's last investment in the construction of the Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Education Building at the Universities at Shady Grove is funded.
  • A Wider Circle: There is a miscellaneous grant of $500,000 provided to A Wider Circle for their Community Service Center.
  • Local Projects: Along with Senator Lee, Delegate Frick, and Delegate Kelly, we secured $200,000 for the Josiah Henson Park in North Bethesda, $75,000 for security upgrades at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, and $75,000 for the National Center for Children and Families.
You can read the House version of the capital budget here.
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My legislation to make red light cameras more fair was covered by NBC 4.  The bill is awaiting action in the State Senate.
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If you are a close reader of my weekly emails, you may recall my stated plans to sponsorthe Online Electioneering Transparency and Accountability Act.  After working with the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Election Law, Delegate Alonzo Washington, he took over ownership of the legislation and successfully navigated it to passage in the House of Delegates.  I was pleased to argue in favor of the bill on the House floor.  The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

Campaign

I am often asked what people can do to support my campaign for re-election besides knock on voters' doors.  We are looking for volunteers to help with a large mailing we are doing.  If you are interested in helping to address, fold, seal, and/or stamp a large mailing please email joe@marckorman.com.

Community News
  • Scholarships are available through my office.  For more information please visit http://www.marckorman.com/scholarship.

Community Events
  • The State Highway Administration will hold a public meeting on the Braeburn Parkway/River Road Intersection on Thursday, March 29 at 7pm.  The meeting will be held at Walt Whitman High School.
  • At the same time on Thursday, March 29, a public meeting will be held regarding redevelopment of the Sunoco Gas Station in downtown Bethesda.  The meeting will be held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center.
  • The Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) will host the annual Bethesda Film Festival on April 6 and April 7 from 6pm to 8:30pm at Imagination Stage.  More information is available at BUP's website.
  • The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will begin hearing from Montgomery County Council At Large candidates on Thursday, April 12.  The meetings begin at 7:30am at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.
  • On April 19 at 6:30pm, a public meeting will be held regarding the I-495 & I-270 P3 Program proposed by the Governor.  The meeting will be held at BCC High School and more information can be found here: http://495-270-p3.com/your-participation/.
  • Save the Date for the Woman's Democratic Club Tribute to County Executive Ike Leggett.  The event will be held on Thursday, September 13 at 6:30pm at the Pooks Hill Marriott.  More details will be available closer to the date.
​
​If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences or an upcoming event, please email marc@marckorman.com

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