We should be considering the economic impact of everything we do at the Council, not just on the County’s budget but on the budgets of our residents and small businesses.
I introduced a bill Tuesday that would strengthen the Council’s legislative process by requiring an economist from the independent Office of Legislative Oversight to evaluate the potential economic impacts of every piece of legislation before the Council. In looking at the potential consequences legislation will have on the private sector we can improve our County’s economic competitiveness and support local businesses that are the backbone of the County’s economy. I’m particularly pleased to have all my Council colleagues signed on as co-sponsors.
We have no greater responsibility on the County Council than ensuring the taxpayer dollars we appropriate are being spent in a transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible manner.
This has been a top priority since taking office in December, and I was pleased to work with Council President Nancy Navarro and Council Vice President Sidney Katz on the Council’s Audit Committee to introduce legislation Tuesday that will strengthen the County’s fiscal oversight process.
This bill was the result of months of discussions with audit professionals, the County’s Inspector General, and County staff as well as looking at what other jurisdictions around the region are doing and the resources they are putting toward this necessary work. The bill would make a number of changes, chief among them would be setting up a systematic, rotating review of every County department’s internal accounting and contracting processes and controls.
As we've worked through the County's Fiscal Year 2020 budget line-by-line the past few weeks, our focus has been to ensure a fiscally responsible vision that reflects the values and priorities of our community. Now that Committee recommendations are heading to the full Council, I have some very positive news to share:
- My colleagues supported my request for an additional $5 million to restore the Housing Initiative Fund (HIF) to Fiscal Year 2019 levels so we don’t lose momentum on tackling our affordable housing crisis.
- The Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee supported a joint request with my colleagues to restore cuts and add modest funding to support County farmers and a program that teaches MCPS students about the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.
- The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment (T&E) Committee supported my request to restore the County’s FareShare program, which provides much-needed matching funds to employers providing transit subsidies to their employees.
- I joined with Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Will Jawando to request funds to expand real-time access through text and chat services for our youth in need of mental health services, which was backed by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee.
- Based on the County Council's expectation to fully fund our schools, we reached an agreement to accomplish just that with the County Executive, MCPS Superintendent, and Board of Education.
- As the Council’s Lead for Parks, I'm pleased that my colleagues on the PHED committee agreed to reverse the County Executive's proposed cuts to our Parks, which would have hurt our communities and quality of life. We're working to make sure Parks funding has the support of our colleagues.
Finally, a fiscally responsible budget cannot rely on one-time savings to fund ongoing costs. That’s the definition of unsustainable, which is why I voted against the County Executive's proposal to divert $89.6 million in required funding for County retiree health benefits. These conversations have generated interest among my colleagues in making reforms so we can end this unsustainable cycle of raiding retiree benefits to fill budget holes.
I continue to work with the Parks Department to increase and enhance our public open spaces. With state support and a creative approach that will save taxpayers money, Parks staff is about to acquire two parcels for the Westbard Urban Recreational Park. This exciting new green open space for the community will make the area more walkable with various trails and also has potential recreational uses such as a dog park or a multi-age play area. It connects to the Capital Crescent Trail as well and will be a great new asset for our County.
Park impact payments are now being collected for downtown Bethesda. So far, the development approvals of five Site Plans have resulted in expected contributions of $11.2 million over the coming few years and significant additional funding is expected. Parks has already received $5 million and is planning to capitalize on opportunities to purchase land and to operationalize priority projects envisioned in the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan.
This week, I had the humbling honor and solemn obligation to join colleagues to commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance. Each survivor, their children and grandchildren, and their children to come, represents an act of defiance against the darkest hatred in world history. And just like their living is an act of defiance against hate, our succumbing to the disease of indifference is an act of surrender to hate. That’s why we must stand up together against all forms of hatred, oppression, and genocide — anywhere, against anyone.
In our ongoing effort to Bring the Council to the Community, we're hosting a “Friday with Friedson” today at Poolesville's Watershed Cafe from 8:00AM to 9:30AM. Our next event will be in Kensington on June 21st. Please see below for details.
It's been another busy month as we continue to be out and about throughout the district.
Friday with Friedson at Bagel City & Rock Creek Extreme Clean Up
Policy Lunch with Senator Van Hollen & Village of Friendship Heights Community Day
JCC Event in Solidarity with Poway & Retirement of Police Chief J. Thomas Manger
Taping the MoCo Show Podcast in Kensington & Touring Meadowbrook Stables in Chevy Chase
It is truly an honor and privilege to represent our extraordinary community on the County Council.
As always, we hope you will continue to keep in touch and reach out to us with any issues.
|
