Council President's Update: Apr. 8

Dear Resident,

I want to begin this newsletter by acknowledging that last night our great state of Maryland lost House Speaker Michael Busch. His passing is a huge loss to all of us. In the over three decades he served in the Maryland House of Delegates he developed a reputation for hard work, collaboration and respect for all. I will always remember him as a genuine consensus builder who worked hard to ensure everyone in the room was heard. We will miss him greatly, and the Council sends its sincere condolences to the Busch family and his staffers.

Student Community Conversation

This evening, young people from all over our county will gather at 6 p.m. at Gaithersburg High School to engage in a Community Conversation on Racial Equity and Social Justice. I want to thank Student Member of the Board of Education Ananya Tadikonda for partnering with me, County Executive Marc Elrich and fellow Councilmembers on this important journey. I am incredibly excited for this conversation: it is so important our young people to be heard and feel secure in knowing that equity matters in our community. I will also note that this meeting is part of our outreach to the community as we develop a Racial Equity and Social Justice Policy for Montgomery County. Watch this space for more opportunities to get involved throughout the year.

Dual Language Programs

Speaking of schools and our young people, last week I visited Kemp Mill Elementary School to discuss some of the innovative initiatives that are happening in our schools and our school system with the principal, Dr. Bernard James, and Mr. James Koutsos, President of the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals. It was enlightening to listen to the evidence of intentional data-driven work by our local schools. Kemp Mill is a dual language enrollment program and the academic results show how important these programs are in closing the opportunity gap. We need to scale up these amazing programs. I am proud of the work I have done throughout my career in supporting and advocating for dual language programs.

The FY20 Operating Budget

Let’s talk a little bit more about the County’s operating budget. 

On April 8, 9 and 10 the Council will hold public hearings on the Fiscal Year 2020 Recommended Operating Budget. This budget funds the Montgomery County Government and County and bi-County agencies such as Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and the Montgomery County Planning Board. Our primary goal is to create a fiscally responsible and sustainable budget that meets the needs of all our residents - especially the most vulnerable.

My colleagues and I are reviewing the details of the proposal that we received from the County Executive on March 15. From now until the end of May this will be the primary focus of most of our work until we take a final vote on the budget on May 23. On April 11, the Council’s six Committees will begin their budget meetings. In May, the Committee recommendations go to the full Council for review. I encourage you to stay involved by following budget updates at our Council website and on our social media accounts; and by attending Council meetings when the budget is being discussed. You can use the #MoCo2020Budget hashtag to communicate your views on social media.

For a full list of agenda items, see this week’s Council Coming Attractions and the full Committee agenda.

State and Federal Government

At midnight the 90-day legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly concludes, and I want to express my sincere appreciation for the Montgomery County Delegation and their diligent work in representing and working on behalf of County residents.

I also want to thank Senator Chris Van Hollen for joining the Council last Friday for a discussion on major federal issues such as the opioid crisis, transportation, immigration and our concerns at the local level. Intergovernmental cooperation is a hallmark of our system, and I am proud to have taken part in this dialogue.

As always, you can see everything that is coming up at the Council by visiting our Council Meeting Portal.

Thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful week.