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Thursday, March 7, 2024

Celebrating Women's History Month

Click to watch Councilmember Luedtke on Women's History Month

March was declared National Women’s History Month by Congress in 1987 to honor the extraordinary achievements of American women. This year’s Women’s History Month theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” and we're celebrating at the County Council by highlighting women in the workforce.

Our legislation with Councilmember Gabe Albornoz to extend protections of personal health care information is one example of how we are seeking to safeguard the rights of women and all individuals, especially given ongoing threats to reproductive health care. I'm pleased that the Council's Health and Human Services and Economic Development Committees recommended the legislation for approval last week.

This bill builds on our previous legislation to protect prospective County government employees from unwarranted, invasive questions regarding their health and health care during the job application process by expanding this protection to all applicants in the county. Everyone applying for a job - whether in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors - deserves protection from potentially discriminatory questions that could harm their employment prospects. Soon, the full Council will vote on this proposal.

There's many more ways to celebrate Women's History Month around the County:

Montgomery County is home to several sites significant in women’s history. 

I'm excited to once again participate in the annual MCPS Girls' Summit on Saturday at Northwood High School, featuring workshops on self-esteem, healthy relationships, social media use, and much more, plus Zumba, music therapy, spin bikes, health screenings, and more. Sessions will be provided in English and Spanish, and will be organized by grade level. Students will earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participating. 

The Montgomery County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), and Friends of the Library Montgomery County are holding their annuwal Girl Power Contest. County residents, ages five and older, are encouraged to submit a short story, poem, drawing or entry in the medium of their choice that addresses this year’s theme by March 31. 

Montgomery Women and the Montgomery County Commission for Women invite students to participate in A Virtual Career Exploration for Her to meet women in non-traditional careers and connect with mentors to help guide them toward their career goals. Students can earn two SSL hours for participating in the March 21 event.

Supporting Sergeant Kepp

Councilmember Luedtke with Sgt. Patrick Kepp, after testifying in support of reckless driving legislation. Click to view part of her testimony.

I’ve testified on a number of State bills that are important to District 7 and Montgomery County residents. This includes a set of bills introduced by District 39 Senator Nancy King and Delegate Greg Wims we need to prevent another tragedy like we saw happen to Sgt. Patrick Kepp last year.

Sgt. Kepp is an award-winning officer who lost his legs after he was hit by a serial reckless driver going more than 100 mph on I-270. Under current law, while a person may be charged with reckless endangerment for engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury, a person engaging in such conduct using a motor vehicle cannot be charged despite how dangerous a vehicle can be. These bills repeal that prohibition, enhance aggressive driving penalties for which a driver is required to appear in court rather than simply paying a fine, and strengthen other deterrents to change behavior. Filling gaps in our law is a crucial component to reducing the type of repeat reckless driving causing fatal and severe injury crashes on our roadways.

I was inspired to see Sgt. Kepp in Annapolis yesterday and to testify beside him in support of this legislation. Thank you to Senator King, Delegate Wims, our County's State Delegation, County Executive Marc Elrich, State's Attorney John McCarthy, and the entire Council for supporting these bills.

I’m happy to report that many of the other bills we've been supporting have now passed their original chamber and are facing consideration in the opposite chamber. Below I’ve included a sampling of the bills that I have testified on which have progressed.   

• House Bill 522: Public Schools - Student Telehealth Appointments - Policy and Access
• House Bill 576: Mental Health - Emergency Evaluation and Involuntary Admission Procedures and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs
• Senate Bill 744: Juvenile Law - Reform 
• House Bill 601: Street Racing and Exhibition Driving – Prohibited Acts, Enforcement, and Penalties

In the Community...

Click to watch Councilmember Luedtke's visit with local business owners Michelle and Jorge Gutierrez

Celebrating Local Business Owners Who Are Giving Back 

Jorge and Michelle Gutierrez are all-star members of the Olney and Rockville community. I met with the pair to learn more about the incredible impact they have had as operators of SERVPRO, inductees to the Hispanic Business Hall of Fame, and champions of first responders and their families.

Tax Filing, Assistance, and Credits 

Don’t forget to file your taxes or file for an extension by April 15! Last week, I had the opportunity to tour CASA’s facility in Rockville and see firsthand the important work they’re doing with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Americorps to help low-income residents file their taxes.

Montgomery County is one of the only local jurisdictions in the country to offer an additional supplement to the State Earned Income Tax Credit (which is itself a supplement to the federal credit), The Montgomery County Working Families Income Supplement is a 56% match of the EITC for eligible county residents. Learn more here.

Continuing Conversations about Partnership in the Ag Reserve 

Food-producing farms in Montgomery County provide healthy and sustainable nutrition, and there is potential for deeper partnership. I was pleased to join the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture, the Office of Food Systems Resilience, and the nonprofits and farmers in Derwood to discuss how we can facilitate greater collaboration.

“Local Gov 101” 

This week I presented “Local Gov 101” to the Damascus Lions Club. During this presentation, I discuss how to effectively advocate at the County and State levels and simplify sometimes complex government processes. If your group, neighborhood association, or civic organization would like to increase understanding of our shared objectives and gain greater insight into how to get results out of advocacy efforts, email councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov to schedule.   

Security Camera Rebate Program Expands 

Montgomery County Police's Private Security Camera Incentive Program recently expanded with additional areas of eligibility. If you are an owner or tenant of a property, you can check your eligibility and apply here.

Recreation Hiring for Summer 

Montgomery County Recreation is hiring part-time, seasonal employees to work during the 2024 summer season! Available positions include camp directors, camp counselors, lifeguards, and more.  

National Consumer Protection Week and Slam the Scam Day

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection is celebrating National Consumer Protection Week (March 3 - 9) by sharing information about consumer rights and helping people learn to spot, report, and avoid scams. For example, OCP’s latest warning cautions consumers about impersonation scams after the Federal Trade Commission reported an increase in these crimes over the last year.

March 7 is National Slam the Scam Day, which aims to promote awareness of Social Security-related scams and stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information. Protect yourself and your loved ones by learning the signs and what to do. Report Social Security-related scams to the Social Security Office of the Inspector General as soon as possible.

Reduced Pet Adoption Fees 

Montgomery County Animal Services is celebrating 10 years of service by reducing adoption fees to $10 for the first 10 days of March.