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May 22, 2025
Today the council approved a $7.6 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2026.
Montgomery County is home to 70,000 federal workers and tens of thousands of contractors who are currently facing financial uncertainty due to President Trump’s dismantling of the federal workforce. The county executive’s initial proposal to raise property taxes and his amended proposal to raise the income tax rate retroactively would have only worsened this anxiety.
Ultimately, we were able to finalize a budget that funds essential aspects of life in Montgomery County, such as public safety, healthcare, affordable housing, transit, parks, and libraries, without raising taxes or cutting critical services. We also found a path to fund 99.8% of the board of education’s requested budget, which includes plans to improve school safety, hire more special education teachers and paraeducators, and provide support to our most vulnerable students. You can read my full statement or watch a video of my remarks on this year’s budget process online.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your concerns and priorities with me. This budget is stronger because of your voices and our community is stronger because of your compassion.
 The full Council unanimously votes to approve the FY26 budget.
June is almost here and I am excited to host Montgomery County’s seventh annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month. It is an honor to represent a community that embraces and celebrates our diversity and supports our individuality.
In addition to the World Pride celebration in DC, there are several local events happening throughout the month. Takoma Park, Rockville and Glen Echo Park are all hosting their annual Pride festivals on June 1, and I’m once again leading our yearly Pride flag raising in Rockville on June 3.
You can find more detailed information about these and many more events on this year’s Pride webpage.
 Check out some of this year's local Pride events!
For 50 years RideOn has been taking people where they need to go across Montgomery County. Thank you to all our bus operators, mechanics and Department of Transportation staff for their care and dedication to one of the largest urban-suburban bus systems in the nation.
 Councilmember Glass in front of a RideOn bus decorated for the 50th anniverary.
Last month, we celebrated the triumphant reopening of the Scotland AME Zion Church in Potomac — a beacon of faith, history and resilience in our community.
After a devastating flood destroyed the original church, our spirits never wavered. Thanks to the tremendous support of government leaders, philanthropic partners and our incredible community, this sacred space in one of the county’s oldest Black communities has risen again, stronger than ever.
This is more than a building. It’s a symbol of hope, heritage and the power of unity.
Welcome home, Scotland AME Zion Church!
 Councilmember Glass cuts the ribbon of the new church building with Scotland AME leaders and other local officials.
I had a great time celebrating the 10th anniversary of All Set Restaurant & Bar in Silver Spring.
For the past decade, All Set has been a neighborhood hangout and a staple of Downtown Silver Spring’s thriving nightlife – and it’s always full of good food and good people.
Congratulations to owners Jennifer and Ed on this amazing milestone!
 Councilmember Glass and Councilmember Kate Stewart with the owners of All Set Restaurant & Bar.
An Olney resident was taking a walk when she saw that a streetlight had been damaged after a recent storm and was at risk of falling over. My team flagged it for the county’s department of transportation, and I was glad to receive a follow-up message from the resident showing that it had been repaired.
If you need help navigating local government, fill out this form and my team will assist you.
 Before and after photos provided by the resident
The Maryland Comptroller’s Office is hosting a series of webinars next week about the changes that the General Assembly made to state tax law during the 2025 legislative session. The webinars will discuss these changes and how they may impact business owners, industry leaders and financial professionals. You can learn more and register online via a new page on the Comptroller’s website that will serve as a hub for information, including Q&As, tax alerts, technical bulletins and filing guidance.
Please do not reply to this email. To contact my office, email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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