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Dear neighbor,
With the holiday season upon us, it’s a meaningful time to look back and reflect on all we’ve achieved and all we’ve overcome together this year.
As my term as Council President comes to a close, I am reminded of what a profound honor it is to give back and serve the only place I’ve ever called home.
Looking ahead, there is no doubt that we are facing a true test of our values and resiliency for our nation and County that will likely represent an inflection point for the years and decades to follow.
While there will be difficult days ahead, I also believe with challenge will come an opportunity to show our mettle as we focus on the fundamentals of good government.
It starts with the basics of a good quality of life: education, economic development, public safety, and affordable housing. During my time as Council President, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made on all of these fronts.
And we did so by holding the line on taxes while continuing ongoing investments in climate and housing, protecting the most vulnerable, bolstering the economy to expand our tax base, and increasing funding to keep our communities safe.
Education:
As we approved the County’s $7.1 billion budget, the Council funded our public schools at a record $3.3 billion. And for the first time ever, we included transparency and accountability metrics in the budget resolution to ensure every dollar goes to its best and highest use. We also added dedicated funding for positions in the Office of the Inspector General solely focused on MCPS oversight because our students, educators, families, and taxpayers deserve nothing less.
Additionally, with unparalleled levels of community outreach, the Council heard from a greater breadth and diversity of voices during the budget, with a record-breaking number of residents testifying, including many for the first time.
Economic Development:
As we proudly welcomed hundreds of new businesses to the County, we leveraged public and private assets to grow a thriving economy.
With the Council’s unanimous passage of my $20 million new J.O.B.S. Initiative, the largest economic development package of its kind in county history, we are sending a strong signal that if you are willing to invest in Montgomery County, Montgomery County wants to invest in you.
We doubled down on our global strength in life sciences by reimagining the Great Seneca Life Sciences Corridor as a liveable, walkable community, continued our historic partnership with the University of Maryland’s Institute for Health Computing, expanded the M.O.V.E. program to address commercial office vacancies, and increased opportunities for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.
Public Safety:
Because there is no greater responsibility than keeping our community safe, we leveraged new technologies to address police shortages and improve response times, including expanding the highly successful Drone as First Responder program to Bethesda and the UpCounty and funded the Real Time Crime Intelligence Center as a partnership among residents, businesses, and law enforcement.
We also provided even more resources for County houses of worship and nonprofits so all residents can freely and securely live, learn, and worship in our community.
Affordable Housing:
This year, the Council made strides in promoting more housing and more affordable housing near transit hubs.
I was proud to lead efforts to establish a new $50 million Nonprofit Preservation Fund and worked with Council Vice President Kate Stewart and our colleagues to pass legislation allowing houses of worship to build affordable housing on their land.
And the County broke ground on major developments made possible by several previous legislative efforts I sponsored, like the Hillandale Gateway Project, the largest net-zero multifamily community in Maryland, and Strathmore Square, a transit-oriented development that turns a former Metro parking lot into a world-class community with thriving arts and vibrant trail access.
Looking Ahead:
As we prepare for a new administration to enter the White House, we will hold true to our shared principles of compassion and inclusion and ensure Montgomery County remains a safe and welcoming place for all our residents.
We will denounce hate in all its forms and stand firmly against any attempt to undermine our fundamental freedoms.
Just as we did during the last term as we navigated through the COVID pandemic, we will stand united and never stop fighting for our values as we advance Montgomery County’s interests.
While we can’t control what happens in Washington, we can and will continue to ensure Montgomery County residents have access to essential supports and services when they’re desperately needed.
If you are interested in learning more, please join us for a United in Service & Support Community Resource Fair on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1-4 p.m. at the Executive Office Building in Rockville.
Despite these significant challenges, I’m more optimistic than ever that our long-term possibilities far outweigh our near-term problems because I know who we are and what we stand for in Montgomery County. I’m eternally grateful to serve our community and I look forward to continuing in this important work in the months and years ahead.
Wishing you and yours a restful and reflective holiday season.
With deepest gratitude,
Andrew Friedson
Montgomery County Council President
Constituent Services
I encourage residents to continue to engage with my office on issues of importance to our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our small but mighty team works to respond to your inquiries. Please continue to engage with us by email, visiting our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, and subscribing to our newsletter.
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