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Dear resident,
We are in the thick of our county budget process. This week featured multiple full-day Council sessions to review county departments and agencies. The operating budget funds education, affordable housing, our social safety net, environmental initiatives, economic development, and more.
My highest priority in this budget is to ensure our students and educators have the resources they need to succeed. That’s the only way to retain the high quality of teaching that parents and residents expect from our well regarded school system. We must make substantial investments in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) – the largest school system in Maryland with more than 24,500 staff, 211 schools, 1500 school buses, and 162,000 students.
At the Council worksession today on the MCPS budget, I spoke to these critical issues. The Education and Culture Committee, which I chair, unanimously recommended 9 increments of funding totaling $201 million with 7 of those increments ($156 million) designated as “high priority”. I proposed prioritizing more funding in the MCPS-recommended budget. Ultimately, the Council decided to approve the Committee recommendation. The funding was placed in two tranches with $156,417,575 marked as High Priority and $44,600,000 identified as Priority. You can view my full remarks at the Council worksession here.
 My council colleagues and I will be focused next week on how to fund these priorities and balance the budget. We have competing budget priorities and challenges including inflation costs, new State mandates, and increasing needs from vulnerable residents. We have to keep up with priorities in other areas including affordable housing and rent relief, health and human services, and maintaining our commitment to fight climate change and preserve green space.
The County Council will continue our deliberations over the next two weeks. If you haven’t already, I hope you consider following our discussions and writing me at councilmember.jawando@montgomerycountymd.gov to share your perspective. Below my signature are some links to follow along with us as we finalize the FY 24 Operating Budget.
Sincerely,
Will Jawando
Budget Links
 First Education Budget Forum
As Chair of the Council's Education Committee, I know better than most that budgets are moral documents that must reflect our priority for education and opportunity for everyone. Continuing the tradition of former Education Committee Chair Craig Rice, I hosted my first forum on the education budget on May 2nd with MCPS Superintendent Dr. McKnight and Montgomery College President Dr. Williams. Watch the recording of the discussion here.
 Celebrating AAPI Month
The entire County Council came together to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The national theme for this year's AAPI Heritage Month is "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity." A video was presented to showcase the inspiring stories of AAPI individuals making a difference in various fields, such as government, nonprofits, medicine, education, and entrepreneurship.
 Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month
The Council united to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. This observance celebrates the significant contributions of Jewish Americans to our nation's history, culture, and society. The Council has taken this opportunity to honor the invaluable impact of Jewish American individuals across various fields, highlighting their resilience, creativity, and perseverance.
 Mental Health Awareness Month
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Council came together to emphasize the importance of mental well-being and self-care in our daily lives. Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall wellness, impacting our emotions, thoughts, and ability to cope with life's challenges. We encourage everyone to be proactive in seeking support, engaging in open conversations, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
 Teacher Appreciation Week
This week I was honored to recognize Teacher Appreciation Week in our community. Educators facilitate learning about the world, our communities, and ourselves. They foster creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and personal development. I encourage all of us to express gratitude, not only during this week but every single day, for the lasting impact our teachers make in our lives and in the lives of every student.
 STEP Act Public Hearing
The STEP Act had an extraordinary showing of support at its public hearing in front of the County Council. Passage of the STEP Act would follow jurisdictions like Virginia in eliminating enforcement of certain low-level traffic violations, which would address racial disparities and allow law enforcement to focus on the most serious traffic violations and crime in our community. Thank you to the courageous individuals who shared their stories and the many organizations that spoke in favor of the bill. If you missed the public hearing tonight, click here to watch the compelling and informative testimony.
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