|
February 24, 2023
I was honored to attend President Biden’s recent visit to Maryland, during which he touted his administration’s economic successes. With an unemployment rate of 2.8% in Montgomery County and easing inflation nationwide, the president and his team are working hard to help all Marylanders.
Montgomery County is the fourth largest hub in the nation for the bio-life sciences industry.
Last week I joined Governor Wes Moore, Lt, Governor Aruna Miller, county leaders, representatives from our leading academic institutions and WMATA to support the creation of the Institute for Health Computing.
This Institute will lead research activities in artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual reality, and serve as an anchor to academia, innovation and entrepreneurship.
It’s a really exciting project that makes me bullish on our future!
You can read more about the proposal here.
I had the honor of leading the Council’s commemoration of Transit Equity Day, which is celebrated annually on February 4 to honor the birthday of civil rights activist Rosa Parks. This commemoration affirms the right to safe, reliable and affordable public transit for all people.
With a majority of Ride On bus users having a household income of just $35,000, far below the county’s median household income of $108,000, our roadways have become one of the best examples of the economic disparities in society. Transit has been made more affordable, with Ride On fares having been reduced to $1, down from their $2 cost pre-pandemic. In addition, free rides are provided to seniors, people with disabilities and our youth.
The Council recently met with Senator Chris Van Hollen and Senator Ben Cardin for robust discussions on economic development, transportation, public safety, health care and other county priorities. We talked with Senator Van Hollen about the importance of federal funding for our growing biotech research sector, and support of small business with Senator Cardin, who chairs the Senate’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.
I value their ongoing collaboration and appreciate the work they’re doing on behalf of our residents.
Rising rents and excessive utility costs were the top concerns of residents I recently spoke with at a low-rise housing complex in Gaithersburg. Several residents expressed frustration with the apartment’s property management company after their complaints about plumbing leaks, mold and other maintenance problems went unheeded. As we work toward more fair and equitable housing policies, we must keep in mind that housing should be a place for people to live in peace, security and dignity.
Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit, taking place on March 28-29, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Hosted by the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Energy Summit brings together the private sector, nonprofit groups and local governments to focus on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Montgomery County continues to adopt policies and programs that move the building sector to an energy efficient, low-carbon future in line with the County’s climate action goals. Exhibitors will be on hand with products and strategies to aid in building energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, building decarbonization, healthy buildings and zero-emission vehicles.
To register and view the full schedule, visit the event’s website at Montgomery County Energy Summit (mcenergysummit.org).
A constituent contacted my office last week about an issue with her application to be a substitute teacher with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). She had applied in early December and had not received any response. Our office contacted MCPS’ Human Resources Department and they promptly contacted the resident to schedule an interview with her. A shortage of substitute teachers continues to challenge our county schools, so I am glad to see that we were able to help. As always, please feel free to reach out to me about any issue you may have. Email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov or you can call my office at (240) 777-7966.
Each year, Americans trust the U.S. Postal Service with billions of letters and packages, and the vast majority of those arrive safely at their intended destinations. Sadly, postal theft is a growing problem. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and others to ensure your mail arrives safely and on time. These include:
- Not leaving letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time
- Depositing outgoing mail into USPS blue collection boxes before the last collection or inside your local Post Office
- Avoiding sending cash through the mail
Learn more at https://www.uspis.gov/tips-prevention/mail-theft. If you have been a victim of mail-related crime, you can report the incident here.
Please do not reply to this email. To contact my office, email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov.
|
