 County Executive Marc Elrich presents “the best budget we have brought forward” since he became County Executive - one that truly reflects our values and priorities, including helping students, focusing on safety, combatting climate change, and providing affordable housing. In more good news, County Executive Elrich announced his signing of Bill 2-22 into law to ensure fair reimbursement to municipalities for services they provide that would otherwise be provided by the County. He also welcomes Miltenyi Biotec as they move their U.S. headquarters from California to the County. County Executive Elrich praises the Maryland Senate Subcommittee recommending key County projects for funding; and, on a more somber note, reminds us that COVID-19 is not done with us, and boosters work. Finally, the County Executive reflects on the life of environmental champion and exemplary leader, Scott Fosler.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week released his recommended Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Operating Budget of $6.3 billion, which is an increase of 5.7 percent from FY22 approved all funds budget (County Government plus outside agencies). It is a 7 percent increase for the Montgomery County Government (all funds except for debt service). The recommended FY23 budget reflects significant and record level investments for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College, affordable housing, economic development, public safety and efforts to combat climate change.
 Montgomery County’s first “Go Electric” event, showcasing the future of electric power—from electric vehicles to power equipment and solar power—will be from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at Montgomery College in Rockville.
The Court of Appeals of Maryland this week issued an order, In the Matter of 2022 Legislative Districting of the State, moving the 2022 State primary election from June 28 to Tuesday, July 19. The Order also extends the deadline for filing to run for offices to April 15. The announcement was made by the Maryland Board of Elections.
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 Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) participated in the financing of "Sandy Spring Village" to create affordable housing for seniors. The innovative conversion of a three-building office complex into 56 one- and two-bedroom apartment homes for residents ages 62-and-over will begin soon.
The minimum wage will again increase in Montgomery County on July 1. Sponsored by then-County Councilmember, and now County Executive, Marc Elrich, the legislation concerning increases in the County minimum wage was signed on Nov. 17, 2017. Bill 28-17 raises the minimum wage incrementally each July 1.
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Adults who want to learn more about riding bicycles will have the opportunity to take reduced-price classes this spring sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). “Adult Learn to Ride” and “Basic Skills” classes will be offered for $10 for County residents and free for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Capital Bikeshare For All members.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined this week by County Councilmembers Andrew Friedson, Sidney Katz and Nancy Navarro; Monique Ashton, president of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League; and other municipal leaders for the signing of Bill 2-22 will relieve residents who live in incorporated cities and towns from paying duplicate taxes for services.
 During the month of March, as Montgomery County is marking two years of fighting the COVID-19 health crisis, the County is highlighting the sacrifices, dedication and efforts of individuals and partners as the community continues to move forward.
 Dena Shao of Wootton High School in Rockville was the grand prize individual winner and the Clarksburg High School team of Aniket Belur, Mohit Belur, Ryan Ngo and Agustin Saldana was the group grand prize winner as the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced the winners of its “Heads Up, Phones Down” student video contest. The contest, which asked students to produce videos encouraging peers to not allow cell phones to distract them while driving and walking, received more than 170 entries.
Novelist Georgia Hunter, Who Wrote About Her Family’s History as Holocaust Survivors, to be Featured in Free Virtual ‘Meet the Author’ Series on Wednesday, March 30
Author Georgia Hunter will join Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) for a free virtual “Meet the Author” event at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30. She will discuss her acclaimed novel, “We Were the Lucky Ones,” which is about her family’s survival during World War II.
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 The ninth annual Montgomery County Energy Summit, which will take place in-person (and virtually) on Tuesday, April 5, at the Silver Spring Civic Building and fully virtual on Wednesday, April 6, will this year include its first-ever “Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive Event.”
 The Gaithersburg Parks, Arts and Recreation Corporation Art Alliance and the City of Gaithersburg’s Stormwater Management Program have joined to create a contest for artists of all ages to submit designs for its Storm Drain Art Project contest. The contest has a long-range goal of protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed by asking people to help limit things that go into storm drains and eventually follow the local waterways that lead to the Bay. The entry deadline is Tuesday, March 22 (World Water Day).
Projects and renovations at local parks across the County have been completed ahead the burst of warmer spring weather by Montgomery Parks, which is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The park renovations, also known as park refreshers, provide efficient and cost-effective improvements that enable significant updates to be made to more parks in less time.
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The history of quilting in the State will be the featured topic at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, as Maryland History virtually presents “The Work of Women's Hands: Maryland Chintz Quilts.” In the production, Curator Elizabeth Lay will examine the chintz quilt tradition, the Clark family, and later chintz quilts in the collection.
 Gaithersburg’s Arts on the Green will present an Evening of Jazz featuring TrioVera with special guest Irene Jalenti at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich applauded the County Council’s passage this week of the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Financing Amendments legislation (Bill 46-21) that will expand financing opportunities for building owners to improve the energy performance and climate resilience of their buildings.
The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District is seeking community input on the priorities residents have regarding the arts, placemaking, and different elements of maintaining an Arts and Entertainment District.
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 The Washington Region’s annual support of national Bike to Work Day will be held on Friday, May 20, and Montgomery County intends to be fully involved once again. Registration for the event is now open. The first 15,000 bicyclists who register and participate will get a free T-shirt and are automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike.
Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs will be available throughout March. The programs are sponsored by Montgomery County Public Libraries.
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