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June 2022
Our hearts are broken by the senseless mass shootings that are plaguing our country. I stand alongside community leaders and colleagues in Annapolis and on Capitol Hill to say enough is enough. I applaud our statewide efforts to curb gun violence in Maryland, with a statewide ban on ghost guns taking effect on June 1.
This public debate is not about the right to bear arms –– it is about the right to be free from gun violence.
Let us continue working together for common sense reforms that will keep our families and neighborhoods safe.
Montgomery County’s Juneteenth Celebration will be held at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown on Saturday, June 18. The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The Juneteenth festivities at BlackRock will include a "Trail of Knowledge" educational activities, a historical journey through African American music and entertainment, and food trucks. This year’s celebration will mark the first official observance of Juneteenth as a national holiday.
Earlier this month we raised the Pride flag in Rockville. It was a beautiful day and we were fortunate to have so many residents join us for this annual occasion.
As we continue celebrating Pride Month, you can find a list of events and activities for families and adults here.
Last month the Council approved the county’s $6.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2023. While inflation is on the rise, I am proud that we were able to maintain our current tax rate – easing some of the financial burden for Montgomery County residents and businesses. My priorities throughout this budget included record level education funding, record level funding for healthcare and more funding to keep our residents travelling safely on our roads.
I was proud to lead the expansion of the Montgomery County Police Department’s Cadet program, which gives local college students the opportunity to serve their community by providing firsthand experience within the police force. Read this Washington Post op-ed I wrote about the program to learn more. This is the true definition of community policing.
I was also proud to support the D.C. Diaper Bank by allocating additional funds to help low-income families get the food, diapers, and baby supplies that they desperately need. We’ve all heard from residents concerned about the nationwide shortage of baby formula and the increased cost of diapers. This funding will help address some of these critical needs for working families.
While there is still a lot of work ahead of us to make Montgomery County a more fair and equitable place, I believe that this budget moves us in that direction, is fiscally sustainable, and truly benefits all of our residents.
Congratulations to Thomas S. Wootton High School graduate Myles Frost on winning a Tony Award for his performance as Michael Jackson in MJ: The Musical. Frost, a 2017 MCPS graduate, also attended Bowie State University before beginning his career on Broadway.
Keep on moonwalking, Myles!
Montgomery County has the highest recycling rate in Maryland, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The county’s recycling rate of 59% leads all other counties in Maryland, and also shows that the county is leading the state in waste diversion. The county remains focused on reducing waste and recycling more, aiming toward zero waste. But we have to do even better if we want to protect our planet.
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