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Thursday, March 21, 2024

Crunching the Numbers for Fiscal Year 2025  

It’s budget season here at the County Council. On March 14, the County Executive released his recommended Operating Budget for next fiscal year, and it includes funding for many of our community's priorities: 

• Record education funding so MCPS can retain and recruit quality teachers and school staff and additional resources for critical health services including the School Based Health Center at South Lake Elementary School.
• Planning funds for a future Montgomery Village/Gaithersburg community recreation center.
• Increased funding for tree and stump removals in County right-of-ways, reflecting our need to keep up with core maintenance services.
• Expansion of the Police Department's successful Drone as First Responder program to District 7 and the Upcounty.

It's important for the fiscal sustainability of our County Government that we use our resources responsibly. Dedicating funds that will be available only once to one-time expenses will be paramount, as will improving employee retention efforts across Departments to address significant vacancy rates. I'm fighting to keep the Damascus and Magruder High School renovation projects on track and continuing to push for the relocation of the MCPS bus depot. These community priorities are worthy and fiscally responsible uses of one-time funds.

Now is the time to make your voice heard. Community input will be crucial to the decision-making process and the Council will hold public hearings on the Operating Budget on April 8 and 9. The deadline to register to testify is April 5 at 9 a.m. Sign up to speak!

Celebrating National Agriculture Day

Councilmember Luedtke, colleagues, and agricultural producers celebrate National Agriculture Day. Click to view video.

Did you know that Montgomery County is home to more than 500 farms that employ more than 10,000 people and contribute $281 million to our economy annually?

In recognition of the abundant contributions of our agricultural community, several of my Council colleagues and I presented a proclamation for National Agriculture Day. I’m proud that Montgomery County has the highest percentage of farmland under agricultural land preservation of any county in the nation and that our farmers employ best practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

We're working to improve farmland preservation tools and provide our diverse agricultural producers what they need to remain economically competitive.

Safeguarding Sensitive Health Information

I’m excited to report that my bill with Councilmember Gabe Albornoz to protect the health care information of job applicants from unwarranted, intrusive questions by employers was approved by the Council this week.

The bill will prohibit an employer from requesting an applicant’s sexual and reproductive health information – an issue that has taken on new importance in light of the recent Supreme Court decision restricting reproductive rights. Further, an employer will be limited in requesting or considering an applicant’s health information unless the information is necessary to evaluate an applicant’s ability to meet published job qualifications. 

This bill will provide greater protections to job applicants than currently provided under Maryland state law and builds on a similar piece of legislation we did last year to provide the same protections for those applying for County Government jobs.

Many employers have already embraced this approach; however, it's needed to ensure everyone will update any antiquated job applications so that they're not infringing on an applicant’s right to health privacy. This privacy is important as we seek to increase access to preventative health care services, protect against threats to reproductive health, and remove barriers to women entering the workforce. 

For more information, read the Council staff report.

Growing Our Local Economy

Councilmember Luedtke speaks at the JOBS Initiative Press Conference

We can't fund programs and projects to meet the community's needs if our economy isn't growing. That's why I'm proud to co-sponsor a new, $20 million package of targeted incentives to create new jobs and grow the County's tax base, led by Council President Andrew Friedson. Included is a Job Creation Fund to foster the creation of high-paying jobs, an Innovation Fund to encourage the growth of Montgomery County companies developing innovative technologies, and an Equity Fund to support early and growth-stage small businesses with owners from Equity Focus Areas across the County.

In the Community...

Councilmember Luedtke presents "Local Gov 101" to the Sandy Spring Civic Association.

Thank you, Damascus Lions Club and Sandy Spring Civic Association, for hosting me as we discussed how our local and State governments work and how to best advocate for your priorities. Reach out if you or your organization is interested in learning more!

Community Award Winners!

Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Greater Olney Civic Association and Olney Chamber of Commerce Community Awards: Curtis Chappell, Julie Abramson, Mindy Badin, Vittoria Satterlee, Ruth Filbert, Jamie Goad, Alison Bawek, Mark Lauda, Charles Drengwitz, Andriana Weinstein, Carlos Covarrubias, The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, and the Oncology Team of Medstar Montgomery Medical Center. Each of these individuals and organizations have contributed in ways big and small to the greater Olney community.

Montgomery Serves Awards Accepting Nominations

Speaking of awards, nominations for the 2024 Montgomery Serves Awards are open now through March 29. The annual awards are the County's highest honors for volunteerism for individuals, businesses or groups that go above and beyond to serve the community.

Free Spring Break Animation Workshops for Teens and Tweens 

Montgomery County Public Libraries will be hosting animation workshops for kids ages 10-15 from March 25-29! The events are free, but advance registration is required. Below is a list of the workshops, times, locations, and links to register. 

• Monday, March 25 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Connie Morella Library | Register
• Tuesday, March 26 | 2-3 p.m. | Gaithersburg Library | Register
• Wednesday, March 27 | 2-3 p.m. | Twinbrook Library | Register
• Thursday, March 28 | 10:30-11:30 a.m | Rockville Memorial Library | Register
• Friday, March 29 | 2-3 p.m. | Aspen Hill Library | Register

For other spring break opportunities, check out the classes, programs, and events from the Department of Recreation and the Parks Department.

Meeting About Extension of North High Street in Olney

At 6:30 p.m. on April 10, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a hybrid public meeting to share information about the extension of North High Street in Olney, a project that aims to improve safety and connectivity in the Olney town center vicinity. Online registration is required to attend whether you are attending via Zoom or in-person at the Olney Library. Meeting materials will be posted on the project website prior to the meeting. Questions may be submitted through this online form. Interpretation and translation services will be provided upon request with five business days advance notice by contacting angel.cheng@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Free Medical Care in Olney 

The County Department of Health and Human Services’ Mobile Health Clinic is now providing free routine and diagnostic medical, dental, and behavioral health services every first Saturday of the month 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 16227 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney, MD 20832. 

Volunteer at GreenFest

Organized by a coalition of public and nonprofit partners, Montgomery County’s annual GreenFest invites people of all ages to celebrate, learn, and start or continue their journey to improving our community and the environment! This year’s GreenFest will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Volunteers are able to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours and shifts are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Medicare Seminar at Olney Library 

Montgomery County's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free seminars at County Libraries to present expert, unbiased information about what you need to know before enrolling in Medicare - such as what coverage you need, how enrollment periods work, and how to avoid penalties. There will be one at Olney Library on March 28.

Rec Regatta

The Montgomery County Department of Recreation’s Rec Regatta will take place at the Olney Swim Center on April 27 from 10 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants make their own cardboard boats in advance and compete to see which boat goes the fastest and survives the longest before sinking. All ages are welcome to participate in boat creation, but those in a boat must be 10 or older. Awards will be given for the fastest boat, best design and for team spirit. Registration is $10 per boat and can be completed online at ActiveMONTGOMERY.