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The Sayles Sentinel: An Investment In Our Future

May 2023

Approving Our County’s Budgets

Today, the Council approved a $6.7 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget and a $5.7 billion amended FY 23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) after weeks of passionate dialogue, public hearings, community forums, committee sessions, and more. Deliberating the budget has been challenging for our new Council, as funding requests far exceeded the County's financial resources. The pandemic created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our government to allocate millions in funds to existing and innovative programs to assist our community during this unprecedented time. Now that President Biden officially declared the end of the pandemic, our budget could no longer sustain emergency services for our residents. 

Moreover, the County Executive recommended a 10% tax increase. My colleagues and I spent weeks engaging in thoughtful discussions, receiving written and in-person testimony, and ultimately made difficult decisions to reduce the property tax burden to 4.7%. I am proud of our work on the new Council’s first operating and capital budgets. Our fiscally prudent decisions will fund programs that benefit residents across the county, especially seniors and vulnerable populations. My campaign touted a S.M.A.R.T. policy agenda acronym that aimed to successfully position our County to compete in the economy of the future, and our budget reflects those ideals as follows:

Strengthen 21st-century learning

• The Council passed a recordation tax bill that will generate $187 million in additional revenue for the CIP, much of which will support delays on our county’s school construction projects. I voiced my strong support for amendments to this bill during the Council session and am confident that it will address the concerns of our school system’s competing needs without reducing pathways to homeownership.

• The MCPS budget has received much attention this year due to proposed property taxes and the urgent needs we have heard from parents, educators, and students. 97.5 percent of the Board of Education’s request for tax-supported funding is being provided in the FY24 Operating Budget. Educators are receiving an 8.4% increase in funding from FY23. Accounting for over half of our county’s budget and an economic driver for residents and businesses alike, this will be a highly contested issue in the coming fiscal years. I look forward to strengthening the Council’s partnership with the Board of Education.

• Montgomery College received full funding of $345.2 million in the FY24 Operating Budget. The College assumed a tuition increase for the first time since FY20, and the Council is supplementing these funds with $20 million in fund balance to support the East County Education Center, employee compensation, contractual and operational expenses, and student scholarships. After passionately advocating for the completion of the long-delayed Germantown Student Services Center, I am pleased to see the $130 million project approved in the CIP budget.

• As a member of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee and Lead for Eliminating Health Disparities, I pushed for increased funding for school health nurses, technology modernization, Linkages to Learning, and school-based health and wellness centers, which will help vulnerable children and their families improve health outcomes and their overall performance in school, home, and community.

Montgomery College Commencement with the Board of Trustees

Make a living more affordable

• The Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) will receive $77 million in the FY24 Operating Budget, and the Housing Initiative Fund will receive $57 million to maintain our current inventory and increase our supply of affordable housing. 

• DHCA will also onboard two new vital positions: an Investigator and Code Inspector. Both roles ensure DHCA can conduct proper oversight of landlord and tenant affairs. With over 380,000 Dwelling units in the county, these positions will help improve the efficiency and responsiveness of DHCA.

• The Working Families Income Supplement is a critical anti-poverty tool created during the pandemic to address working families facing some of the highest living costs in the state. The Council funded the program at $27.5 million, which supplements Maryland’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Council is committed to using our remaining ARPA funds to continue progress on this poverty-reduction program.

• I advocated for funding the “Ban the Box” campaign at $40,000 as a high priority on our reconciliation list to ensure that individuals with criminal records seeking to rejoin the workforce and rental market do not face unnecessary barriers to employment and housing. Following its approval, I will work in the interim to strengthen this initiative to reduce housing and workplace discrimination.

Ribbon cutting of the newest Housing Opportunities Commission property, ‘The Leggett’

Advance local food production

• The newly formed Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) received $1.1 million to fund its strategic approach in FY24. Their Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger is still in its early stages and aims to leverage our Upcounty gem, the Agricultural Reserve, to improve our local food systems radically. Under the leadership of Director Heather Bruskin, I am confident we will reap the rewards of this investment soon enough.

• Service Consolidation Hubs are a partnership of eight community-based organizations and the Department of Health and Human Services, collaborating with nonprofit partners to serve residents with food and other resources. These hubs are critical outlets for distributing resources. They will receive $3 million in FY24 to continue providing help to those most in need.

• The Council approved increases of $150,000 each on the reconciliation list for Manna Food Center and the Food Staples program. The Food Staples program supports upwards of 60,000 people weekly and received over $6 million in the FY24 Operating Budget. My colleagues and I on the Health and Human Services Committee worked to ensure the program was supported in this budget and that organizations like Manna Food Center could contribute to its effectiveness and SNAP outreach.

Shopping for local goods at the Forest Estates Farmers Market, the only Montgomery Parks farmer’s market in the county

Revitalize the economy

• The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is appropriating almost $6 million to connect local businesses to the essential resources needed to thrive in our county. The Council also approved $3.2 million for the County’s incubators and economic partnerships, including $1.2 million allocated for Black and Latino-owned businesses in the county.

• The guaranteed income pilot is another poverty reduction tool for working families that boosts our local economy. I voted to support $734,843 in additional funding as a high priority on the reconciliation list to extend this vital program as we continue to evaluate its benefits against programmatic goals.

• Nearly $11.1 million is being allocated to Urban Districts in Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton, as well as the newly formed Friendship Heights Urban District. Urban Districts work with our Regional Service Centers to boost economic growth and attract businesses and jobs to our county.

• WorkSource Montgomery is receiving over $2 million in the FY24 Operating Budget to enhance their programming for job seekers, Summer RISE, immigrant training services, and more. They will release a new four-year plan in the Spring of 2024 that will focus on improving the employment and retention rates for all individuals who come through their doors.

Attending the first Bethany Community Day since the start of the pandemic

Tackle climate change

• The Council approved $18.6 million in funding for the Montgomery County Green Bank, which leverages public and private investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county. One year ago, the council passed Bill 44-21, which annually appropriates 10% of the fuel-energy tax revenue to the Green Bank. I am excited to work with the new CEO, Stephen Morel, to build on innovative projects focused on energy savings and climate-resilient solutions.

• The Council approved $270 million in funding for the Department of Transportation’s operating budget. The CIP allocated funds to keep Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects on track. The Veirs Mill BRT, in particular, is a vital bus route connecting the county's East and West corridors through Wheaton and Rockville. After another pedestrian was struck and killed on Veirs Mill Road earlier this week, improving the pedestrian and commuter infrastructure will be life-saving.

• In March, the Council passed Bill 25-22, increasing forest planting and conservation throughout the county. The Council allocated $9 million in the operating budget for the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) General Fund, a 20 percent increase from last year’s approved budget. Much of this year’s budget will go towards expanding the county’s Tree Montgomery program and maintaining vital tree canopy.

Recognizing Bike to Work Day at Pike & Rose

Please read the Council's press release for more details on this year's approved budgets. Also, you can watch my full remarks on the FY24 budget here.

Celebrating The Success Of Our AAPI Community

For Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, I salute the AAPI community's accomplishments and contributions to our county's rich fabric and vibrancy now and into the future. I voice my strong support for the AAPI community. We have seen hate and violence rise against Asian Americans during the pandemic, with particularly devastating attacks occurring recently in Monterey Bay and Half Moon Bay in California, which left several people dead. I am so grateful to live in Montgomery County, a welcoming community where we will not tolerate hate, fear, or violence in any manner. I hope you will join me in solidarity to mourn the stolen lives and publicly condemn every instance of AAPI hate.

The AAPI community is diverse, with unique cultures, ethnicities, and nations of origin. I am grateful for organizations like the Asian American Health Initiative, Chinese Culture and Community Center, Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association, Montgomery County Korean-American Association, and all others that provide an integrated support system. It is also an excellent time for leaders in the AAPI community in Montgomery County, our state, and nationwide. Secretary of State Susan Lee was appointed to Governor Wes Moore’s administration; my delegate, Kumar Barve, was appointed to the Maryland Public Service Commission; my colleague Councilmember Kristin Mink, is the first Asian American to serve on the Council; Chief Sheriff Maxwell Uy is Maryland’s first-ever Asian American Sheriff; our Lt. Governor Aruna Miller is the first South Asian Lt. Governor in our nation’s history; and of course, Madam Vice President Kamala Harris, is the first woman, Black person, Asian American, Indian American and biracial woman to serve as vice president.

A collage of photos from AAPI Heritage Month

Advocating For Mental Health Awareness

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we must call attention to the rising mental health decline rates to support all who need it. We have seen particularly alarming rates of mental health concerns among young women and girls. A new CDC study recently published in the Washington Post showed 1 in 3 high school girls have considered suicide, 1 in 10 teenage girls are raped, and 3 in 5 adolescent girls reported feeling persistently sad for at least two weeks in a row. My colleagues and I on the Council are committed to working with community partners to address this urgent issue. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Montgomery County is one of many organizations that assist with mental health initiatives. I commend them for organizing a successful mental health awareness walk in Gaithersburg last week that brought together hundreds of residents to raise awareness about mental health support and resources. NAMI of Montgomery County has also been advocating for the design and construction of the county’s new Restoration Center, which will provide a variety of Behavioral Health Services, including triage, crisis stabilization, and warm handoff referrals to appropriate services for those experiencing mental health, substance use, or behavioral crisis.

Lastly, I want to highlight a recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on the mental health needs of minority residents. “Minority Voices 2022: Our Mental Health Journey” is a publication that culminates in a year-long partnership between the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), the African American Health Program (AAHP), and the Latino Health Initiative (LHI). The report compiles more than two dozen personal stories from residents of Montgomery County's minority community, highlighting common and unique mental health challenges they experienced. It emphasizes the prevalence of stigma and stereotypes in these communities and provides insights into emerging themes of the mental health needs of our County’s minority residents. I spoke at the ‘Minority Voices’ event that launched the report and am hopeful that it will influence substantial improvements in minority mental health outcomes.

Speaking at the 'Minority Voices' event sponsored by our county’s minority health organizations

A Word About Gun Violence

Our communities continue to feel the devastating impacts of gun violence. My heart goes out to the individual who was tragically shot and killed at the Wheaton metro, just one week after a Moms Demand gun violence rally occurred at that location. Another shooting in Germantown on Tuesday marked the third shooting there in the past couple of weeks. We owe it to all those we have lost to fight to close the gun loophole and keep our streets safe. While there is much more work to be done, I am encouraged that Governor Moore signed into law four of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence’s priority pieces of gun safety legislation last week: 

1. SB858/HB307: Firearm Safety – Storage Requirements and Youth Suicide Prevention (Jaelynn’s Law)
2. SB1: Gun Safety Act of 2023
3. HB824: Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Possession and Permits to Carry, Wear, and Transport a Handgun
4. Maryland State Police Gun Center – Firearms Surrendered Under Final Protective Orders

We are fortunate to have a Governor committed to taking action on gun violence. After signing these four bills, the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a lawsuit against his administration. I fully support the Governor in his bold leadership and share his belief that the NRA has lost all credibility regarding self-defense and protecting the lives of Maryland citizens. 

Finally, at a time when guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, it is more important than ever that we fully invest in programs like the Youth Harm Reduction Initiative. This initiative was funded through a special appropriation in 2022 to scale up violence prevention programming in partnership with community-based organizations to support vulnerable youth and mitigate potential harm. It comprises the 480 Club, the BUILD program, Florence Crittenton Services, and Identity, Inc. On the Health and Human Services Committee, I supported $672,699 in funding as a high priority on the reconciliation list and was glad to see it approved in the final budget.

Luis Cardona, Administrator of Positive Youth Development at DHHS, speaking at the Moms Demand rally in Wheaton

Upcoming Events

May 29: Memorial Day Parade

The Memorial Day holiday is right around the corner! Please join me and my team for the Rockville Memorial Day Parade. Students who join will be eligible for SSL hours. We promise a fun morning with the Sayles Team as we honor service members who died while keeping our country safe. Sign up at bit.ly/MemorialDayParadeCMSayles, or click the flier below to confirm participation.

June 13: Caribbean American Heritage Month Luncheon and Proclamation

As the first-ever Caribbean American elected to the Montgomery County Council, I am proud to represent my Caribbean heritage in an impactful position. On June 13 from 12-1:30 p.m., I will organize a luncheon and proclamation to recognize Caribbean American Heritage Month and the vast contributions of Caribbean Americans to our County’s rich diversity. I hope you can join! RSVP at bit.ly/CAHMcelebration.

June 17: Young Democrats of Maryland Convention

The Young Democrats of Maryland (YDM) are holding their Annual Convention on the morning of Saturday, June 17, at IBEW Local 26. They will be convening Democrats across Maryland, hearing from guest speakers, and holding Executive Board elections. You must register for the Convention and be a registered member of YDM to vote and run for any of their open positions.

June 19: Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival

Celebrating the past and present of the first places African-Americans owned land in Montgomery County, the Scotland community of Potomac announced a significant expansion of their annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival for 2023. Featuring a children’s carnival and musical performance, as well as art exhibitions, food, sports, and presentations on Black history in this region, the events for the federal holiday on Monday, June 19, will be spread across the Cabin John Regional Park, Cabin John Village, and the Scotland community on Seven Locks Road.

June 20: Healthcare Initiative Fund and Nonprofit Montgomery Event

The Community Summit on Navigating Safety-net Resources will be held on June 20th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Universities at Shady Grove. Attendees will learn more about effectively navigating the resource continuums for public and nonprofit services and programs. The DHHS Service Consolidation Hubs, Thriving Germantown, the Poolesville Collaborative partners, and other nonprofits are vital participants.

June 25: Pride In The Plaza

Pride In The Plaza is Montgomery County's annual celebration of diverse LGBTQIA+ communities. Pride In The Plaza is a space where everyone can unite to celebrate love and live as their most authentic selves. Join Live In Your Truth (LIYT) Programs on Sunday, June 25th, at noon at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring for a day filled with fun and festivities!

Community Resource Hub

• The Montgomery County Council is hiring a Legislative Services Coordinator (LSC) in the Office of the Clerk. The Office of the Clerk is responsible for maintaining records of all official documents of the County Council. The LSC is a Council’s Clerk team member, provides administrative support, and works closely with the Clerk of the Council, Deputy Clerks, and other Council staff. Visit here for complete job descriptions and how to apply.

• The third annual Montgomery County Children's Business Fair will return in August after a three-year hiatus due to the health crisis. Applications are now being accepted for the event that will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Aug. 19. The fair, which will be held in Rockville Town Square, is open to ages 6-15.

• The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services encourages residents to take simple precautions to prevent illness caused by infected ticks, as warmer weather increases the risk of tickborne disease transmission. Governor Wes Moore's recently proclaimed May as “Tickborne Disease Awareness Month” in Maryland.

• Montgomery County is again joining the “Capital Area Solar Switch,” an innovative program that leverages the power of groups to help residents and businesses throughout the Washington metropolitan area learn about and install rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations. Learn about upcoming information sessions and register here.

• The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) now accepts mattresses and box springs at Derwood's Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center. The new recycling program allows community members to responsibly dispose of old mattresses and box springs and will significantly reduce waste. 

• In preparation for Pride Month in June, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Community Partnerships have announced a community-wide call to artists and designers to create the County’s official 2023 Montgomery County Pride decal. All submissions are due by Wednesday, June 1, and should be submitted electronically on the Montgomery County Pride website.

• Healthcare providers in Montgomery County are invited to attend a complimentary virtual training on the Chronic Care Model (CCM) from noon-1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. Sponsored by the Public Health Services of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, the training is supported through the Community Health Resource Commission grant under the State of Maryland. It will be facilitated by Mike Hindmarsh from The Centre for Collaboration, Motivation, and Innovation.

• The City of Gaithersburg has announced the availability of Fiscal Year 2024 Mental Health Support Services for Youth Grants that address holistic, professional, and culturally competent Mental Health Supportive and Direct Services and provide quality, accessible, and equitable services for City students. Applications are now being accepted for this FY24 grant. The application deadline is 4 p.m. on May 31.

Yours in service,

Laurie-Anne Sayles

Councilmember At-Large