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February 13, 2025
Standing with Immigrant Neighbors
I’m proud to share that the Council unanimously passed the Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act (U VISA Act).
The U visa is available for those who have been victims of certain qualifying crimes — like domestic violence, rape and trafficking — and have assisted, or are willing to assist, law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of those crimes. The U VISA Act helps protect victims who are frightened to come forward because of their immigration status by giving them a chance to seek justice no matter when the underlying crime occurred.
This legislation reaffirms our commitment to our immigrant neighbors and to public safety, ensuring that every resident, regardless of immigration status, can feel safe in Montgomery County.
 Councilmember Glass introduces the U VISA Act at a press conference.
I Support the Girls
I recently visited I Support the Girls’ headquarters and talked to the organization’s founder Dana Marlowe about the impact of their important work. What started a decade ago as a neighborhood drive to collect clothing items for unhoused women has become a worldwide effort — with over 60 affiliates across multiple countries — providing essential clothing and hygiene products to people in need. It was an incredible reminder of how one person wanting to do good can make a tremendous impact.
 Councilmember Glass and I Support the Girls founder Dana Marlowe at the organization's distribution center.
Making Housing More Affordable
I’m delighted to share that the Council unanimously passed my legislation to reduce the cost of new housing by changing the time at which impact taxes are paid. Impact taxes help build roads and schools and are required to be paid at the start of a project. This new law will change the payment timing from the beginning to the end of construction.
This simple change will reduce the overall cost of housing by millions of dollars, all without reducing the revenue for new school facilities and transportation priorities. It’s a common sense win-win.
 Councilmember Glass speaks at the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County.
Montgomery College Changemakers
The student leaders at Montgomery College are inspirational. I was so impressed by the thoughtful insights and questions of these incredible change makers — from the importance of immigration and diversity to student aid and healthcare. Keep on studying, leading and making us proud!
 Councilmember Glass with Montgomery College student leaders.
Lunar New Year
It’s been wonderful celebrating the Year of the Snake with members of our community. The Year of the Snake symbolizes adaptability, grace and intelligence — admirable traits for all of us to embody this year.
I was grateful to celebrate Tet with the Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association and Lunar New Year with the U.S. Zen Institute. It was a timely reminder that as we navigate the turbulent politics in Washington, it’s important to remain grounded and be mindful of the compassionate, diverse and resilient community we call home.
Constituent Corner
A Forest Glen couple wrote to me requesting crosswalks at several intersections in their neighborhood. They were concerned because of the numerous school bus pickup/dropoff stops along the street and the wide distance between curbs. My team reached out to MCDOT, which determined that the crosswalks were necessary. The residents were happy to have made their neighborhood streets safer.
If you need help with a county agency, please fill out this service request form and my office will assist you.
Did You Know?
Registration for the Department of Recreation’s spring programming opens Wednesday, February 19. Classes and activities are available at each of the 22 Recreation facilities throughout the county and cater to a wide variety of interests, skill levels and ages. Whether you’re looking for swim lessons for the kids or day trips for seniors, you can use the Department’s digital guide to find a great program near you.
Please do not reply to this email. To contact my office, email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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