|
December 16, 2025
As we close out 2025, I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead our community with compassion, resilience, and a shared belief that everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered.
This year, we made meaningful progress – from expanding protections for immigrant families and making housing more affordable, to strengthening our local economy and advancing environmental sustainability.
Together, we passed legislation that reflects our values and moves Montgomery County forward. And while there is always more work to be done, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and the partnerships that made it possible.
In service,
 Councilmember Evan Glass
Since July 1, RideOn buses have been fare-free for everyone — an achievement I’ve worked toward since my first day in office, when I rode the bus to Rockville. RideOn ridership has increased 5.4% since July, showing that removing the cost barriers makes a meaningful impact.
Access to reliable transportation remains one of the greatest equalizers in our community. While the average household income in Montgomery County is approximately $115,000, the average household income of a bus rider is $35,000. It helps more residents get to jobs, students to classrooms, and families to medical care and essential services.
I remain committed to ensuring that RideOn buses are frequent, reliable, and accessible, which helps increase transit ridership, reduce traffic congestion, and improve our air quality and climate.
 Councilmember Glass stands in front of a RideOn bus.
U Visa Act and the TRUST Act
Immigrants across the country are living in fear – fear of reporting crimes, fear of seeking help, and fear that their families could be separated. But here in Montgomery County, we will continue to support, protect, and stand with our immigrant neighbors, just as we do with all our residents.
I’m proud that the Council unanimously passed the Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act (U VISA Act), legislation I introduced earlier this year, which ensures victims of serious crimes like domestic violence, trafficking, and assault can come forward and feel safe. This legislation allows eligible victims to apply for a U Visa, no matter when the crime occurred, helping them seek justice and support.
I also recently joined my colleagues to introduce the TRUST Act, which clarifies that Montgomery County police will not participate in federal immigration enforcement or cooperate with ICE on civil immigration matters. Strengthening trust between residents and law enforcement makes our entire community safer, and this legislation does just that.
Montgomery County is strongest when every resident feels safe, protected, and able to seek help without fear — regardless of their immigration status.
 Councilmember Glass speaks during the U VISA Act press conference.
When a first responder makes the ultimate sacrifice, their family should never face unnecessary delays in receiving critical support. Yet in January, following the tragic line-of-duty death of Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins, his wife Lisa waited months for her survivor benefits.
It’s why I introduced the HERO Act and I’m proud that the Council has passed it unanimously. The legislation ensures that surviving spouses of firefighters and police officers begin receiving monthly pension payments without delay, closing a gap in our county code.
This is an important step to protect the families of our public safety officials. More work will be done in the coming weeks to include other public safety officials, like correctional officers and Sheriff's deputies.
 Councilmember Glass introduces the HERO Act during a press conference.
My legislation to reduce the cost of new housing is already making a difference. The new law changes the timing of when impact taxes are paid, from the start of construction to the end. This simple change saves millions of dollars on housing projects while ensuring the same level of funding for new schools, roads, recreation centers and libraries. The previous method required higher upfront costs and larger financing because the impact taxes were included in the initial loans for the projects. As part of my ongoing commitment to making housing more affordable in Montgomery County, this simple change is designed to lower the overall cost of new homes by millions of dollars, without reducing funding for essential school facilities and transportation projects. It’s a common sense win-win that supports families and strengthens our communities.
 Councilmember Glass speaks at the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County.
The Make Office Vacancy Extinct (MOVE) Act is bringing jobs to Montgomery County!
Since becoming law last year, the MOVE Act has helped more than 55 businesses in Montgomery County, including over a dozen start-ups. These companies represent a variety of sectors, from healthcare and education to real estate and technology.
The MOVE Act expanded a successful grant program that helps businesses relocate to or grow within the county. I’m committed to continuing my work on the Economic Development Committee and making Montgomery County an even easier place to start and grow a business.
The MOVE Act is the most cost effective economic development tool we have. Learn more and apply for a MOVE grant on the program’s webpage.
 Councilmember Glass speaks at a press conference about the MOVE Act.
Native plants are essential to a healthy ecosystem, which is why I introduced the Native Plant Protection Act. The legislation prohibits the sale of invasive bamboo and requires native plants in new development projects across Montgomery County.
Native vegetation supports biodiversity, strengthens climate resilience, prevents erosion and flooding, and provides crucial habitat for pollinators. Invasive bamboo, however, spreads aggressively and harms native plant growth.
As chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee, I will continue to build a greener, more sustainable Montgomery County, and this legislation is an important step forward.
 Native plants like Black-eyed Susans help preserve the quality of our local ecosystems.
I’m thrilled that the MoCo Pride Center is now open — a landmark achievement for our county and a major step forward for our LGBTQ+ community. The center provides a safe, welcoming space offering resources, programs, and support that help residents connect, build community, and access the services they need.
As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Montgomery County Council, I know how important it is for people to have spaces where they feel affirmed and included. The MoCo Pride Center strengthens that foundation, ensuring that every resident has a place where they are valued, supported, and empowered.
Its opening reflects our county’s ongoing commitment to equality and belonging, and I look forward to the positive impact it will continue to bring to individuals and families across Montgomery County.
 Councilmember Glass cuts the ribbon at the opening of the MoCo Pride Center in Bethesda.
As I look back on this year, some of the most rewarding moments have come from helping residents navigate challenges. My office handled hundreds of constituent cases in 2025, very few of which were featured in our “Constituent Corner.” Providing this hands-on support is central to my commitment to public service. These cases reflect what public service is all about: listening and showing up when our residents need it most.
If you need help navigating Montgomery County government, fill out this form and my team and I will assist you.
Phone: 240-777-7966
Email: Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov
 Constituent corner before and after photos
Please do not reply to this email. To contact my office, email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov.
|
