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Dear Friends,
I hope folks were able to stay safe during the winter storm. I want to thank all the essential workers who had to brave the weather and go to work and the folks who plowed our roads and cleared sidewalks. We understand there have been issues with the county’s map system showing incorrect information regarding plow status in addition to long wait times with 311. Please know that I have been in communication with the County Executive and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation to rectify this situation.
The Council has received the County Executive’s FY27 Recommended Capital Budget and FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). In the coming months, we will be carefully reviewing this proposed budget. There will be public hearings on February 9th and 10th at 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM. You can sign up to testify on the Council’s website.
In addition, I will be closely following a number of bills that impact not only District 4 but the entire County during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly legislative session. I’m excited for the opportunities and challenges ahead as we work in partnership with lawmakers to shape Montgomery County and Maryland’s future. One bill in particular that I am following is HB 220, Environment - Water - Individual Unit Meters, introduced by Delegate Charkoudian. After hearing from numerous residents about water fee issues and an investigation by the Office of Consumer Protection into the practices of one building, we worked with the Delegate on actions that can be taken and will be tracking it closely.
As always, feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or need assistance.
Sincerely,
 Kate Stewart
Councilmember
(she, her)
As we continue to see the horrific events unfold in Minneapolis with the latest killing of Alex Pretti and the lies being spread by the federal administration, Montgomery County is working to do all we can for our residents.
On January 13th the Council held a public hearing for Expedited Bill 35-25, Promoting Community Trust – Immigrant Protections Act, also known as the Trust Act. Thank you to all the community members who showed up and packed our hearing room in support of this bill. Special shoutout to our students and Students For Asylum & Immigrant Rights for their testimony. The Trust Act is being reviewed today by a joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy and Public Safety Committee.
Last week, I joined colleagues for a press conference in support of Bill 3-26, Administration - Immigration Enforcement Guidance - Required (The County Values Act) and Bill 5-26, Police - Mask or Facial Coverings - Prohibited (The Unmask ICE Act). As a cosponsor on both of these bills, I will stand strong to protect our diverse immigrant community in Montgomery County.
I am excited to share the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s designation of Long Branch as the newest Main Street Maryland Community. Thank you to Maryland’s Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day who visited the area to see first hand what’s so special about Long Branch.
This designation shows what we know: Long Branch is a thriving area with many small businesses, a diverse and active community in a unique location connecting many of our neighborhoods. This designation will bring assistance to strengthen our downtown commercial districts, which will accelerate and build on the exciting work of our non-profit partners while keeping our sense of community.
Last week we recognized Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I was grateful to spend these celebrations in community, at the Strathmore with an evening of performances, and then at the Silver Spring Civic Center with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center and the Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Thank you to the 7th graders of Girl Scout Troop 34116 for hosting me! As part of their discussion on understanding other points of view, I shared my perspective as an elected official on how and why we work together to find common ground. It was a pleasure getting to speak to this wonderful group of future leaders.
I had the opportunity to visit the new Clinical Services Department at Makom. Makom supports and empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve the quality of life to which they aspire. The Clinical Services team works with individuals to develop person-centered care – including behavioral health, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nutrition – that meets people where they are and addresses individual medical needs.
Thank you to the Makom Team for the tour and for your work.
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Office of Councilmember Kate Stewart
