|
This year's Women's History Month theme celebrates "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion." Acknowledging the contributions made by everyone to the women's equality movement throughout history, I am committed to eliminating bias and discrimination in our lives and institutions to create a future that works for everyone. Our 2nd Annual Women's History Month event was held at the BlackRock Center for the Arts on International Women's Day and brought together over 200 women leaders from across Maryland for an empowering event we called "Breakfast & Banter.”
Photo of five of the six Councilwomen and our guest speakers: Sylvia Henderson, Assistant Fire Chief Dee Richards, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Dr. Kisha Davis, and Dr. Anne Khademian
Maryland's first female Comptroller, Brooke Lierman, delivered the keynote speech. She discussed the financial barriers preventing women from succeeding and policy recommendations for overcoming them. The rest of the event included guest speakers from career sectors, such as education, economic development, public safety, and public health, sharing their experiences and how they exemplified this year's Women's History Month theme. Councilmembers Kristin Mink, Dawn Luedtke, Kate Stewart, and I introduced these speakers. The event concluded with a call to action for the upcoming Presidential Election, emphasizing the importance of voting. I reminded the attendees that Maryland voters can vote on Maryland's Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment this November. If passed, it would add a new section to the Constitution that guarantees the right to reproductive freedom. Read a full recap here.
Photos of special guests at the 2024 Women's History Month event
Other highlights from the month included commemorating Women’s History Month with dozens of county leaders at the Council, participating in the MCPS Girls’ Summit at Northwood High School, with over a thousand young girls in attendance, and participating in the Fashion Boot Camp Finale hosted by the Recreation Department in East County. We celebrated and honored trailblazing women at home and worldwide throughout the month. I am honored to serve on the Montgomery County Council with five remarkable women who continue to advocate for women's rights while making history in their own right!
S.M.A.R.T. Updates Around The County
Visiting the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing
I was privileged to join Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller to tour the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) and GSK's facility. We drove through the White Flint Mall site, 355 as a potential future BRT route, and southbound traffic on 270/495/ALB during rush hour and expansion project. The UM-IHC is a strategic initiative that aims to improve the health and well-being of those living in Maryland and beyond by using advanced computing tools like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and network medicine to create a premier learning healthcare system. It also serves as a critical source for economic development and transportation needs. Montgomery County is home to the fourth-largest biotech hub in the U.S., and we will continue to grow its footprint and investments in the future.
Tour of UM-IHC and GSK's facility with Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld
Middle Eastern American Heritage Month and Ramadan
On March 9, the Middle Eastern American Advisory Group and the Office of Community Partnerships hosted a festive event to commemorate Middle Eastern American Heritage Month. I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate this annual event with my colleagues, Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Sidney Katz, and the County Executive. Thank you to the Middle Eastern American Advisory Group for hosting a delightful evening recognizing and showcasing the rich and vibrant contributions of this community to our County. We were treated to a great evening of musical performances, cultural displays and Middle Eastern cuisine. We expressed our continued support of the community during challenging times. Ramadan Kareem, to all those celebrating the Holy Month.
CM Sayles with members of the Middle East American Advisory Board Group and Office of Community Partnerships
Action in Montgomery Universal Pre-K Advocacy Meeting
Thank you to Action in Montgomery for organizing a Universal pre-K advocacy meeting focused on strategies for increasing access to early childhood education. I appreciate all who came out to share their concerns. My colleagues and I listened closely and will continue making progress on this essential resource!
CM Sayles with hundreds of Action in Montgomery members and children
Workforce Development Meeting with the National Employment Services Association of Australia
I enjoyed meeting with the National Employment Services Association of Australia to exchange best practices on better coordinating services across workforce development, housing, education, and social services. We aim to strengthen the talent pipeline and improve access to opportunities for our workforce. I want to thank the WorkSource Montgomery team for organizing this discussion and helping us take a global approach to workforce development.
Receiving a tour of the WorkSource Montgomery Mobile Job Center in Wheaton with Maryland Department of Labor leaders
President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
I am thrilled to announce that I have been awarded one of the highest civil honors in America, The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Elisha Pulivarti and the U.S. India SME Council, Inc. presented the award to me for outstanding achievements in volunteer service. Former United States President George W. Bush established the award through an executive order to recognize individuals who have made significant and positive contributions to American progress and culture. The President's Call to Service Award, also known as the President's Lifetime Achievement Award, is considered the most prestigious of all volunteer service awards. It is an incredible honor to be recognized for my exceptional leadership and community service and to launch three successful S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council cohorts to train the next generation of public servants. I am excited to continue serving my County, State, and Nation with renewed dedication and commitment.
 |
Receiving the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from the U.S. India SME Council
Tour of Nourishing Bethesda
It was a pleasure to join Nourishing Bethesda for their Friday food distribution and tour of their headquarters. Founded during the pandemic, this organization continues fighting food insecurity by providing nutritious food and community support to our community.
Taking a tour of Nourishing Bethesda headquarters with Executive Director John Ross and Grants Manager Jan McNamara
Legislative Corner
Enhanced Tenant Protections and Amending the Ban-the-Box Legislation
I introduced Bill 8-24 on March 5, which amends Montgomery County’s “ban-the-box” legislation to protect renters from disclosing their criminal history to a prospective landlord. Read the staff report here for more details. I also signed on as a co-sponsor to Bill 7-24, Landlord-Tenant Relations - Tenant Protection and Notification, which would provide tenants with greater protections and clarity about issues including fire safety, insurance, and building maintenance.
Zoning Text Amendment on Parking Minimums
The Council voted to enact Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 23-10, Parking, Queuing, and Loading—Calculation of Required Parking, which will eliminate parking requirements within a half-mile radius of a Metro or Purple Line station and within a quarter-mile radius of an existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Station or a BRT Station funded for construction in the current Capital Improvements Program.
Takoma Park Minor Master Plan
On March 19, the Council took straw votes on the Planning Board Draft of the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment and the recommendations of the Council’s Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) Committee. A preview of the draft resolution, showing the Council’s changes to the plan, is now available on the Council’s website for review before final action. A Council vote is tentatively scheduled for April 2.
Property Tax Credits for Seniors and Veterans
The Council voted to table Bill 45-23, Property Tax Credit - Individuals 65 and Above, Retired Military Service Members, and Disabled Military Service Members, which would update the eligibility criteria for the property tax credit available to individuals 65 and above and to retired or disabled military service members and their spouses. I look forward to seeing the Bill come back up for discussion as the Council works to address housing affordability for seniors and veterans.
J.O.B.S. Initiative (Jobs, Opportunities & Business Support)
I am excited to support a $20 million appropriation for the County’s Economic Development Fund to jumpstart the local economy and create high-paying jobs in Montgomery County. The new J.O.B.S. (Jobs, Opportunities, and Business Support) Initiative will create three separate but complementary initiatives: a $10 million Job Creation Fund, a $7 million Innovation Fund, and a $3 million Equity Fund.
Late Night Business Safety Plan
The Public Safety and Economic Development Committee met in a joint session to discuss Bill 3-24, Late Night Establishments - Hours of Operation, which would define a “hookah lounge;” set restrictions on the operating hours for certain late-night establishments, hookah lounges, tobacco shops, and vape shops; and establish penalties for a violation. The Council also approved regulations for the Late-Night Business Safety Plan Program, which provides a uniform safety plan process for those businesses in areas experiencing higher than average call volume in the late-night hours.
Upcoming Meetings of the Health and Human Services Committee
-
Monday, April 8, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CIP - Revenue Authority
-
Friday, April 12, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Department of Permitting Services; Worksource Montgomery NDA; UM3 - Institute for Health Computing NDA
-
Thursday, April 18, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Office of Human Rights; Guaranteed Income NDA; DHHS - Public Health; DHHS - Children, Youth, and Families
-
Friday, April 19, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Early Care and Education (Early Childhood Services, Early Care and Education Initiative NDA and Children’s Opportunity Alliance NDA), Child Care Subsidies, School Health Services, Linkages to Learning, High School Wellness Centers, High School Cluster Projects and Public Private Partnerships (joint with Education & Culture Committee)
-
Monday, April 29, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Follow Up
Upcoming Meetings of the Economic Development Committee
-
Thursday, April 11, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Overview; DHHS - Aging and Disability Services; DHHS - Behavioral Health Services
-
Monday, April 15, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Department of Health and Human Services - Administration and Support Services; DHHS - Services of End and Prevent Homelessness; Office of Food Systems Resilience
-
Wednesday, April 17, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Urban Districts; Economic Development Fund; Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) NDA; Incubator Programs NDA
-
Thursday, April 25, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. FY25 Operating Budget - Conference and Visitor's Bureau NDA; Business Center Team (CEX); Small Business Support Services NDA
-
Monday, April 29, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Special Appropriation to the FY24 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Finance, Economic Development Fund, New J.O.B.S. Initiative (Jobs, Opportunities & Business Support), $20,000,000 (Source of Funds: General Fund Undesignated Reserves) (joint with Government Operations & Fiscal Policy)
Budget Recommendations from the County Executive
On March 15, the County Executive and his team transmitted the recommended FY25 Operating Budget to the Council for review. I am pleased to see his team include recommendations based on my S.M.A.R.T. policy agenda, such as:
- (S) Funding for Montgomery County Public Schools will increase by $127.8 million or 4.0 percent. Within this total, the County contribution is $132.8 million over maintenance of effort.
- (M) Providing $56 million in new resources for the Montgomery County Housing Initiative Fund to continue various programs and projects dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing and related services.
- (A) The Office of Food Systems Resilience will continue implementing the Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger through the Retail Food Access Program, the Food as Medicine Program, School-based Food Security Partnership Grants, and grants to support community-based initiatives.
- (R) Develop, through the Division of Business Relations and Compliance, an enforcement program of the existing Minority, Female, and Disabled-Owned Business law to be more proactive rather than reactive/complaints-based.
- (T) Procure approximately 100 electric Ride On buses in FY24-27. The buses will operate at the Silver Spring and Gaithersburg bus depots to fully utilize the solar microgrids at these locations.
Furthermore, one particular initiative I am excited about is a new Girls Fire Camp to diversify gender representation in the fire service and encourage and empower girls to consider firefighting as a career. Encouraging diversity and female empowerment in the public safety sector is so important. I encourage residents to watch this discussion on Women in Public Safety with Montgomery County Police Department Captain Amy Daum and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Dee Richards, interviewed by CAO Rich Madaleno, where you can hear more about their journeys & insights in a male-dominated field.
Finally, individuals can sign up for the FY25 Operating Budget public hearing on Monday, April 8, at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Tuesday, April 9, at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. This will be a necessary time for them to share their voice with the Council about which aspects of the budget should be prioritized.
Upcoming Events
March 29: National Vietnam Veterans Day
The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs will join the national “National Vietnam Veterans Day” celebration on Friday, March 29. The commission will honor more than 80 Montgomery County Vietnam War Era veterans with detailed tributes displayed on a unique website created by the commission.
April 6: African American Health Program Community Day
AAHP Community Day 2024 will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 9:30 am - 2 pm at the Montgomery College, BioScience Center, 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876. This year's event will include a walk/run/bike activity beginning at 8:00 am.
April 7: RespectFest
“RespectFest'' is a program featuring online activities and an in-person event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center to celebrate healthy relationships among young people and raise awareness about unhealthy and abusive ones. The Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council will host the program.
April 15-16: Montgomery County Energy Summit
Now in its 11th year, the Montgomery County Energy Summit has offered cutting-edge education focused on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related commercial, multifamily, and residential topics in Montgomery County.
April 20: East County Education Center Ribbon Cutting
Montgomery College is opening an East County Education Center on Monday, April 1. The Center will offer courses in small business/entrepreneurship, cybersecurity/IT, allied health, early childhood education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and general education. The official ribbon cutting will take place on Saturday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m.
April 22: CCI's Teen Wellness Summit
Are you between the ages of 14-19? Are you ready to take charge of your health and well-being? Join CCI Health Services for an exciting event packed with information, fun, and prizes, and earn SSL hours, too!
Community Resource Hub
Yours in Service,
Laurie-Anne Sayles
Councilmember At-Large
|
