Message from the County Executive Marc Elrich

Dear Friends,

“Sure, I’m angry, but not filled with rage. Rage is born out of frustration and the failure to deal with problems. Anger carries direction, planning, and determination. You can just say that I am angry.”

-District of Columbia Civil Rights Activist Julius Hobson, 1965

I wanted to start my letter this week with this quote because it feels as relevant today as 60 years ago. I am sharing this quote because as we approach the end of the first month of President Trump’s second term, we continue to hear concerns, fears, anxiety as well as anger over the decisions that are being made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

As Mr. Hobson noted, anger can be useful and productive. Having knowledge about these decisions, understanding the resources available, and being prepared is critical. That is why I wanted to share this list of the most relevant and credible resources for all our residents – and especially those who are directly impacted by these federal decisions.

As always, if you cannot find what you are looking for, please call Montgomery County’s 311 customer service representatives and we are happy to help.

Resources for Federal Employees and Other Workers:

• State Resources (including unemployment benefit information) dllr.state.md.us/federalworkers
• Resources from Civil Service Strong (Federal Worker Unions) civilservicestrong.org/resources
• Resources from Partnership for Public Service ourpublicservice.org/supporting-federal-employees-through-change
• WorkSource Montgomery: worksourcemontgomery.com
• Montgomery County Public Library Job Resources: montgomerycountymd.gov/library/for-you/job-seekers.html
• Montgomery County Government Jobs: Work4mcg.org
• Local/State Government Jobs: governmentjobs.com
• Employment Rights Under Federal Law: opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/employee-rights-appeals/#url=Appeals
• Accommodation to Qualified Employees with Disabilities: eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants
• Whistleblower Protections and Accompanying Resources: whistleblower.house.gov/resources/resources-whistleblowers
• Prohibited Personnel Practices Including the Right to Appeal: mspb.gov/ppp/ppp.htm#faq
• Information on Civil Service Law: guides.loc.gov/federal-civil-service-employment-law

Resources for Impacted Communities:

• Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center: montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist
• MCPS Resources for Immigrant Families: montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/osi/immigration-supports
• Services for LGBTQ+ Community Members: mocopridefamily.org

Mental Health and Food Assistance Resources:

• Mental Health Support: montgomerycountymd.gov/opioids/get-help.html
• Food Resources: montgomerycountymd.gov/ofsr/food/index.html

Federal and State Officials' Resources:

• Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s Resource Page: vanhollen.senate.gov/constituent-services/resources-for-marylanders-affected-by-trump-admin-policies
• Rep. Jamie Raskin’s Resource Page: raskin.house.gov/resources-for-marylanders-affected-by-troubling-new-trump-administration-policies
• Rep. April McClain Delaney’s Resource Page: mcclaindelaney.house.gov/services/resources-federal-workers
• Attorney General Anthony Brown’s Resource Page: marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/Standing_For_Maryland/default.aspx
• Gov. Wes Moore’s Resource Page: response.maryland.gov/federalpublicservants

News and Information Resources:

• Legal Challenges to Federal Administration Actions: Litigation Tracker Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
• Federal News Network: federalnewsnetwork.com
• The Washington Post Live Updates: washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/14/trump-presidency-news

Included above are some resources to track the news at the federal level; I have written and talked about some of these issues previously – attacks on the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which houses our premier scientific research institution, NIH, FDA and much more; USAID; the less well known Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which aims to protects consumers against unscrupulous financial activities, and more.

While the courts have been blocking and delaying some of these concerning actions, the potential loss of important work by federal workers and their partners is a real possibility. We are facing the possible dismantling of our nation’s lifeline to science, research and the potential cures for everything from cancers to lethal viruses. I think most of us know someone who works for the federal government or a federal contractor; we are home to NIH and the FDA as well as other government agencies and federal employees.

As I have mentioned before, there are 77,550 federal employees who live in Montgomery County, and 48,433 federal jobs based here. That’s a massive part of our local economy.

We are all concerned and want to support the many in our community who are facing such uncertainty. I appreciate that this week Maryland’s Secretary of Labor Portia Wu joined me for my weekly media briefing and I appreciate all the work from Governor Wes Moore and his team.

I also want to thank Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks for hosting helpful telephone town halls this week for those residents and families impacted. We are fortunate that, amidst the chaos and confusion of all these decisions, we have a strong and experienced congressional delegation fighting for us.

Avoid Sitting in Traffic, Choose Transit

Many of you felt the impact of more federal workers returning to the office this week. Traffic volume is heavy again around both rush hours because of more cars on highways and local roads.

That is why I want to encourage everyone to consider taking public transit—whether it is Ride On, Metrobus, Metrorail, or even carpooling. It’s not just about avoiding traffic and the stress of driving—it is also one of the best things we can do for the environment.

This month we launched the Climate Smart campaign, asking all residents to consider some small steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint. I am reminding you to learn more about taking the Climate Smart pledge and consider downloading the Ride On Real Time app to make it easier to walk, bike and ride the bus.

Public transit can be a great way to travel, especially aboard some of our buses that provide free Wi-Fi, so you can get some of your work done while moving between home and the office. So, before you get stuck in the monotony of gridlock, think about taking the train, the bus or sharing a ride.

Council Bill Would Delay Infrastructure Funding

I intend to veto the recently passed Bill 22-24, Taxation – Collection of Development Impact Taxes, which defers the collection of impact taxes. Impact taxes are specifically intended to pay for the infrastructure that development requires—schools, roads, sidewalks, transit and more. I am vetoing the bill because it would result in a loss of revenue for the Capital Improvements Program and would require us to delay or reduce projects; the greatest impact is for projects funded for this and next year.

For years, we’ve seen repeated cuts to impact taxes, but there has yet to be a replacement funding source identified. That has had real consequences. In just the past decade, impact tax collections have dropped by over 74 percent, from nearly $61 million in 2014 to just $15.6 million in 2024. That is a $45 million loss in funding for schools and transportation projects. And now, this bill would delay the collection of another $27.8 million over the next six years—without a plan to replace it. That is not fiscally responsible.

The reality is simple: if development does not pay its fair share, then one of two things happens. Either taxpayers end up footing the bill, or we simply do not build the infrastructure we need. Neither of those outcomes is acceptable.

We are already seeing the effects of declining revenue. This year alone, we had to delay, reduce, or eliminate funding for projects, including:

• Sidewalk and bikeway improvements on Goldsboro Road, Tuckerman Lane and Bradley Boulevard
• The Forest Glen Passageway
• School additions at Paint Branch High School, Mill Creek Towne Elementary and Blake High School

I have said many times that we should replace impact taxes with a system similar to Northern Virginia’s. It would allow developers to better contribute to the cost of infrastructure. The change would reduce their costs and spread those payments out over a larger tax base. It would also allow the County to bond on those revenues, which we are not able to do now.

This bill does not fix the existing problem with impact taxes and at the same time, it delays the funding for already planned projects. Until we implement a better system, I cannot support further cuts that weaken our ability to invest in our communities.

We need to be able to fund the school, road and transit improvements that are critical to smart, responsible growth.

If the Council overrides my veto, we will then have to send the Council recommended delays in capital project funding because the loss in revenue would be immediate.

I also want to note that funding issues are also tied to years of maintaining a flat level of bond funding even as inflation has reduced the buying power of those dollars.

I look forward to working with the Council to find a better solution.

Protections for Renters

This week, I stood with Councilmember Kristin Mink and Council Vice President Will Jawando to support a new bill to help protect renters from unfair practices and unscrupulous landlords. While the vast majority of landlords in this County have good track records, this legislation will help us with those that do not.

I have heard the stories from residents across Montgomery County: apartments with broken essential services that never get fixed, amenities that were promised but never delivered, landlords tacking on bogus fees and disregard for tenants' rights. That is not the kind of community we want to live in.

That’s why this bill, Bill 6-25, is so important. It addresses a loophole and will give our Office of Consumer Protection the authority to step in when landlords engage in deceptive practices. Right now, defective tenancies — those situations where your rental housing is not up to livable standards — are outside the scope of consumer protection laws. This bill removes that exemption, so landlords are treated like any other merchant selling goods or services to the public.

Renters pay to have housing that is safe and meets basic standards. This bill is about fairness and accountability. Landlords have a responsibility to provide safe, livable housing and to be honest in their dealings with tenants. Renters should not have to navigate a legal maze just to get what they are entitled to. These stronger protections will help make sure everyone in our community has access to decent, fair housing.

I want to thank Councilmember Mink, Council President Kate Stewart, Council Vice President Jawando, Councilmember Dawn Luedtke and all of our community partners for supporting this bill.

Economic Development Investments are Paying Off

On the economic development front, I am pleased to let you know I just received news that our new Technology Innovation and Founders Fund is off to an exciting start. Early-stage companies (144 total) applied for commercialization grants.

That is an impressive number and clearly demonstrates that we are addressing a need and that a lot of innovators in Montgomery County are working to get their discoveries to market, which will enable them to hire and grow jobs. Investing in programs like these is more important now than ever given the many uncertainties at the federal level.

The Fund applications are now under review, and next month, we expect to commit the full $10 million allocated to help these startups grow right here in Montgomery County. We will also be providing coaching to the companies to help them succeed.

Our team has also been busy with the new JOBS program, which, by design, will have a much slower implementation period. It requires employees to work in qualified, high-paid jobs for at least six months before any incentives are paid. In the meantime, our team is handling inquiries and applications.

We have also been busy allocating $661,000 for 25 different businesses through our MOVE grants. With six more applicants in the pipeline, we have earmarked an additional $301,000, bringing our total close to $963,000—exceeding the $950,000 we budgeted for this year. MOVE grants will be given only to businesses that are signing new leases or expanding in the County.

The funding for these three programs—commercialization, JOBS and MOVE grants—is tied to business growth. I am happy to see the interest in these programs. We want to ensure money spent through these grants helps attract, launch or retain business growth.

Economic development takes real work. We are not just throwing money around—we are making targeted investments to support companies that want to be here, grow here and create long-term success for our economy.

We will keep moving forward, and I encourage businesses looking to expand in Montgomery County to take advantage of these programs and visit our Montgomery County Business Center.

Health Report

The flu is raging through Montgomery County right now. In fact, our current weekly total of flu cases reported is higher than any week in the past nine years. Hospitalizations for flu have also hit a new high since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Nationally and statewide, flu cases are also a concern with the Maryland Department of Health reporting around 13 percent of all emergency department visits right now being flu related. You can see that on the MDH FluWatch dashboard. It shows respiratory illness activity as very high.

It is not too late to protect yourself by getting a flu shot this year. You can contact your primary care provider or pharmacy for information on receiving one. Flu clinics are no longer being held by the county, but if you are uninsured, the County can take appointments by phone at (240)777-1050.

To avoid catching the flu, remember to wash your hands frequently and consider wearing a mask if you are going to be in a crowded, indoor place. If you do get sick stay home for 24 hours after your fever and other symptoms go away. See the graphic above for further guidance or visit us online.

Presidents Day Holiday Closings Next Week

I would like to remind everyone that Monday is a federal holiday. Many government services, like libraries, MC 311 and senior centers, will be closed for Presidents Day.

Ride On will operate on a holiday schedule. County-operated Alcohol Beverage Services stores, recreation and aquatic centers will be open regular hours. We have a full list of the openings and closures further down in this newsletter and online.

As always, my appreciation for all of you,



Marc Elrich
County Executive

‘Take the Pledge’ and Be Climate Smart

Montgomery County launched its new Climate Smart campaign earlier this month. Designed to inspire and inform residents about making climate-smart choices in their daily lives, the campaign encourages individuals to take a “pledge” to be Climate Smart. The campaign's slogan, “BIG CHANGE starts small,” serves as a reminder that small actions can lead to significant impact.

The Climate Smart Campaign spotlights everyday behaviors residents can take in five key areas to reduce their carbon footprint:

• Food: Plan meals before shopping, compost food scraps and buy seasonal produce from local farms and farmers markets.
• Emergency Preparedness: Sign up to receive emergency alerts from Alert Montgomery, make an emergency plan, assess your flood risk and take steps to protect your home and belongings.
• Transportation: Use public transportation, download the Ride On app, walk or bike more often and join the Electric Vehicle Purchasing Co-Op.
• Energy: Schedule a free Quick Home Energy Checkup, switch to LED lightbulbs and monitor your thermostat.
• Plants: Plant a tree; trees remove carbon from the air, cool the planet, provide habitat and beautify our neighborhoods.

Whether it’s choosing public transit or planting native trees, each small action can help us reach our goal of reducing carbon pollution.

For more information on the Climate Smart Campaign and to take the pledge, visit the Montgomery County Climate Action Portal.

Gaithersburg Arts Barn Seat Refurbishment Event

While many plays date back centuries, the aging stages and theaters that often house them cannot last as long without some help. That's why last year, the Arts Barn Legacy Campaign was established to support needed theater enhancements. The campaign is continuing the project with the refurbishment of seating in the 99-seat upper-level theater in Gaithersburg.

On Friday, Feb. 28, you can support the Arts Barn’s refurbishment project by purchasing tickets for “Conversations of Love”, a festive evening of great wine, art and jazz. Don Dillingham and Tacha Coleman Parr are set to perform. The music will be accompanied by a wine tasting, courtesy of Black Ankle Vineyards. A silent auction will also contribute to the money raised for the project. For tickets, please contact linda.bloom@gaithersburgmd.gov or call the Arts Barn at 301-258-6394.

The fundraising goal for the Adopt a Theater Seat campaign is $25,000 toward a $50,000 refurbishment plan. For more information about contributing to the program visit the website for the Arts Barn Legacy Campaign.

The Arts Barn theater supports local, regional and national musicians as well as hosts a singer-songwriter series. It brings together community and professional theater artists in partnership with the Kentlands Community Players, Montgomery Playhouse, Amazing Theatre Company, Best Medicine Rep, Rockville Musical Theatre, Damascus Theatre Company and more for a variety of performances.

Purple Line Small Business Grants Available through Maryland Department of Transportation

The Maryland Department of Transportation is accepting grant applications from small businesses impacted by construction along the Purple Line alignment in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

The Purple Line Small Business Grants Program will support business operations during construction closures or detours, as well as provide marketing support for businesses along the alignment during construction of the light rail project. The four-year program will invest $4 million in eligible businesses along the Purple Line corridor.

Grant award amounts of up to $50,000 will vary based on location of the business, construction impacts and whether the business is located in areas designated for community and economic development, revitalization and sustainability. Up to three application rounds will take place each year. The first round of applications is due by March 14, 2025.

For a full list of eligibility requirements and a downloadable application visit purplelinemd.com. All completed applications should be returned to business@purplelinemd.com.

2025 Community Health Needs Assessment

Every three years our area hospitals compile a report gauging the needs of our community. They can only accomplish that with your help.

The 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey is open now and available online. Montgomery County residents are asked to participate because your feedback helps area hospitals gauge which programs need to be developed and how to best serve our community. This information is crucial in charting a path forward for Adventist HealthCare, Holy Cross Health, MedStar Health and Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital.

Collectively, they form the Montgomery County Hospital Collaborative. The report that comes from this survey helps determine which programs need to be developed and how to best serve our community. Please take 10 minutes out of your day to participate at tinyurl.com/2025CHNAsurvey.

Results from the last available CHNA report can be found on Healthy Montgomery.

Germantown Visioning Workshop Rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19

Mark your calendar for the Germantown Visioning Workshop from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the BlackRock Center for the Arts on Town Commons Dr.

The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GG Chamber) has grant funding to determine the feasibility of a Business Improvement District or Urban District in Germantown. They're holding a public workshop to get input to craft the vision, mission and core values that will guide the future of the community's town center.

Montgomery County Park and Planning also will be on hand to share information on the upcoming Germantown Sector Plan Amendment study, which will kick off soon. Visit Montgomery will share information on the Brand Rural Montgomery Initiative and the survey that is underway for that effort.

Visit the GG Chamber website to register.

MCPS Students Automotive Trades Foundation Lottery Car Sale on Saturday, Feb. 22

The Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation will hold its next Refurbished Car and Computer Sale on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 9 - 11 a.m., at Damascus High School. Damascus High School is located at 25921 Ridge Road in Damascus.

The Students Automotive Trades Foundation is a nonprofit organization that exists to help high school students learn a trade like automotive or computer repair. Businesses and Montgomery County Public Schools collaborate to provide the coursework and opportunities for professional development. Students receive valuable on-the-job training that will prepare them for higher educational opportunities or direct entry into the automotive industry.

All vehicles are Maryland State Inspected prior to delivery and vehicles with less than 90,000 miles come with a 30-day or 1,000 mile powertrain warranty. All vehicles with 90,000 or more miles are discounted and sold in “as-is” condition. Tags, title, fees and sales tax are in addition to the vehicle price.

If more than one buyer is interested in a car, the foundation will use a lottery system to help determine who gets the first opportunity to purchase the vehilcle. A $100 deposit (checks preferred; cash accepted) is required to hold a vehicle. The balance of the purchase price is due when you receive the vehicle. All deposits are non-refundable one week (five working days) after sale.

Individuals who choose to test drive sale vehicles must be at least 21 years old, wear a mask (required), have a current car insurance policy and have a valid driver’s license.

A list of vehicles available on the date of the sale will be updated by Automotive Trades Foundation. Contact Mike Snyder, Michael_C_Snyder@mcpsmd.org, for more information about the cars.

Message from the County Executive Marc Elrich

 

Dear Friends,

This week, we saw yet another example of how actions in Washington have consequences here in Montgomery County. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the White House is preparing an executive order to fire thousands of federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees.

That’s not just a bureaucratic shake-up—it is an attack on the people and institutions that protect public health and advance medical research.

HHS includes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), two of the largest federal employers in our County. Their work impacts everything from drug approvals to cutting-edge medical research. Losing key personnel threatens not just the workers themselves, but the integrity of public health initiatives nationwide.

This is a difficult and uncertain time for federal workers, many of whom live and work in Montgomery County. A recent analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (below) shows 48,433 federal employees spread across 138 establishments within Montgomery County. That’s a significant financial impact.

An even larger number of federal employees live in the County – 77,550 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. And it is not just federal employees who are at risk. Contractors who support government operations, non-governmental organizations that rely on U.S. Agency for International Development funding, and the many small businesses—from restaurants to dry cleaners—that serve federal workers and their families are all caught in the ripple effect.

While we can’t predict what will happen for federal employees and other federal-related workers, we did want to share some resources. The State has a resource designed to help workers impacted by federal decisions. Resources for Maryland's Former Federal Workers and Other Workers Impacted by the Federal Government Transition can help answer questions about unemployment insurance and employment opportunities. Civil Service Strong, which brings together unions, non-profit groups, watchdog and legal organizations with ties to the federal government and Partnership for Public Service are two more options. I hope you share these links with anyone that needs it. are two more options. I hope you share these links with anyone that needs it.

I also urge you to stay informed by following our congressional delegation—Rep. Raskin, Rep. Ivey, Rep. McClain Delaney, Sen. Van Hollen and Sen. Alsobrooks—who are actively working to oppose these harmful policies and provide information and resources to constituents as well.

Rep. Raskin said it well in response to this crisis: President Trump's election did not create a fourth branch of government called Elon Musk.

These are truly difficult times: we knew there would be challenges under this administration, but the scale of disruption we are seeing now is beyond what anyone anticipated. The economic damage could be severe, and we are closely monitoring the situation.

Beyond the financial impact, we continue to hear from residents who are living in fear—whether they are federal workers uncertain about their jobs or members of communities that have been actively targeted by this administration. Immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals and other vulnerable groups are feeling increased anxiety as policies are rolled out with little regard for their safety and well-being. We want you to know that Montgomery County stands with you. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please reach out—we have resources available to help.

Specifically, I want to remind you about our Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, WorkSource Montgomery and the County job page. We will continue to do everything we can to support our workers, our businesses and our most vulnerable communities. We will not let Washington’s chaos define us.

Housing Proposals Need Careful Review  

Last week, County Councilmembers introduced a package of legislation and proposals that they titled More Housing N.O.W. Since then, my staff and I have received many questions and requests for comments about this package, particularly about the Zoning Text Amendments (ZTAs) that would extend the County’s Workforce Housing Program to corridors throughout the County. We have not yet had time to fully analyze either this proposal or the others in the package, but I want to give you my first impressions.

First, let me say that I appreciate that Councilmembers are trying to address some concerns that came up repeatedly around the Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative (AHS). As I have discussed previously, the AHS proposal from the Planning Board understandably generated enormous concern across the County. That proposal had extensive problems, many of which I have addressed previously, in person with community groups throughout the fall and in this video. 

Second, let me clarify that we all know that housing costs have gone up drastically – renters are facing high rents, and many would-be buyers are not able to find homes they can afford to purchase. The biggest challenge is for affordable housing for lower incomes and for people who make too much to qualify for Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDU) but not enough to afford market-rate housing. That is the biggest problem. 

So, I think any proposed solutions must be clearly explained and they have to address the affordability issue. At this point, there is no evidence that these proposals address the lack of affordable housing for many people in the community – either for renters or homeowners. At least upon first review, the proposed zoning changes seem to be geared toward producing mostly market-rate housing, with only a small percentage of more affordable housing. The target of these proposals is workforce housing, and the County adopted a workforce housing program almost 20 years ago. Before expanding it, we really need to understand whether the existing program has produced the desired results. It is my understanding that the program has multiple unresolved issues; it is rarely used, it has design issues, and it is unclear who is benefitting.   

Separate from the ZTA is a proposal to increase funds available for downpayment assistance; that could expand homeownership opportunities, but that is a budget decision, unrelated to zoning. Such programs already exist but they are limited; they are a welcome resource for recipients. The Council may want to allocate additional funds for this worthwhile endeavor, but we need to be transparent that it is a budget item.

Our Department of Housing and Community Affairs has been analyzing what is working in our system and what needs to be changed. And that goes to a larger point about these proposals. They are confusing and they were developed and presented as a surprise to the executive branch and the housing, zoning and transportation experts we have and without community involvement, including our communities who had expressed concern about the Attainable Housing Solutions. The timing of the surprise announcement--before there was any public resolution of the AHS proposal—has created confusion as to whether the new package is a first step towards implementing AHS or is something different.  

Residents had reasonable expectations that they would be consulted after the public listening sessions this past fall. Now, they are trying to understand what the impact of these newest proposals would be on housing affordability and how these proposals will interface with their communities. Many of them are equally concerned that something will be rushed through before they understand what has happened. 

So, I certainly hope that any proposals will be carefully reviewed and explained with meaningful input from communities in all the affected areas. In fact, this countywide approach to rezoning that is in the Attainable Housing Strategies - and now is in these ZTAs - replaces the longtime approach of master plans that historically have engaged the affected communities. The combination of these two approaches has rendered master plans meaningless. The people who live here now – who work here, who are in our schools, who use our parks, our hospitals and our transportation system – they need to be part of the process and the decision-making. 

I would also note that some of the risks in the AHS proposal may also be present in this package. I’m concerned about the displacement of lower-income households along major roads. Currently, many of the homes along major roads are rented by lower-income families. One of the ZTAs could incentivize owners to sell their property for redevelopment. And very likely the replacement units would be smaller and more expensive than the existing housing. The impact of increased development on infrastructure also needs to be assessed. Primarily, this concerns schools, transportation and parking, but it also includes trees, stormwater management and flooding, emergency services, public safety and parks. Those are major issues for consideration that are central to maintaining our quality of life for diverse communities.  

So, at this point, there are many more questions than answers, and our residents deserve to have all their questions answered. We need to be very comfortable that these changes will actually bring us more affordable housing and that the County revenues that are proposed to be spent are the best use of those funds.

We will continue to review these proposals, and I intend to be an active participant in the conversations moving forward.

Please feel free to include me in correspondence – I can be contacted at marc.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Governor’s State of State Address

I was in Annapolis again this week to attend Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s third State of the State address. To me, it is clear that Gov. Moore is the right person at the right time to face the challenges upon us and lead us during this very challenging time.  

His administration is facing an unprecedented state budget deficit and the uncertainty of future federal funding support. Despite these obstacles, the Governor remains optimistic and has charted a path forward that, in his words, is “responding to the moment.”  

The plan focuses on boosting the economy, strengthening our workforce, modernizing government and creating a fair tax system. I am glad he backs tax reform that does not raise revenue through sales or property taxes on residents. 

A poll by the Washington Post and the University of Maryland (see above) shows how well-received some of these proposals are, with high marks for tax increases on high-income earners, sports betting and recreational cannabis.    

Montgomery County will benefit from a record investment in education. And at a time when federal investments are in question, some of the planned State spending would help create clean energy options, a critical focus when we desperately need to address climate change  

At the heart of this budget plan is growing the middle class, creating jobs and spurring economic development activity. We are doing our part. Montgomery County accounts for one-sixth of the state’s population but 25 percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product.  

We will continue to focus on growing our life sciences, technology and hospitality industries while we also look for opportunities to create manufacturing jobs and invest in workforce training and our education system. We look forward to continuing partnerships and collaborations with the State on economic development efforts.

On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller was my guest on my weekly media briefing. She discussed this strategy and gave some specifics on how to accomplish those goals. You can watch this discussion on the County’s YouTube channel.

Importance of Investing in Child Care

Last week, Gov. Moore visited the Wonders Early Learning Center at Leland in Chevy Chase to meet with parents and educators and discuss the State’s investment in education (pictures here). He noted that Maryland had jumped 20 states in fourth-grade reading level proficiency, going from 40th to 20th since the previous assessment. 

I want to thank the Moore-Miller administration for making child care a priority as we move forward despite a budget deficit. Here in Montgomery County, I have also made child care a top priority over the past six years by investing an additional $55.4 million over and above the base Department of Health and Human Services budget.  

In 2021, the Council unanimously passed, and I signed into law, the Early Childhood Education Initiative (ECE), which aligns efforts across Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College and Montgomery County Government and creates a more equitable early care and education system for children from birth to age five. This collaboration maximizes public resources and strengthens system‐wide coordination to eliminate barriers and provide equitable experiences for all families. Its focus is on creating high-quality and affordable programs to help families. 

Our efforts helped establish a direct grant program for providers, create Family Involvement Centers throughout the County and grow the number of licensed family child care providers and scholarships for ECE educators at Montgomery College.   

We are specifically focused on the following:  

• Aligning services for easier client and provider access. 
• Sustaining high-quality early childhood programs throughout Montgomery County. 
• Improving access and affordability to high-quality programs. 
• Expanding the supply of child care facilities. 

We still have a lot to do. The County has 1,269 licensed child care programs, offering just over 43,000 seats for children up to five years old. With 57,000 children in that age range, a significant gap remains, even when you consider that some families will not choose child care, especially those who cannot afford it. 

As a former teacher, I know the value of early childhood education in a child’s development. Quality, licensed child care with proper teacher-to-student ratios is essential for working parents. More importantly, it is critical for their children. 

Of all the investments that we can make, early education is probably the most important and most effective program for ensuring that children start kindergarten with the language and social/emotional competence that creates a level playing field. I appreciate having a governor who gets it.

He understands that investing in early childhood education helps on multiple fronts. It is as much an educational priority as it is an economic one.  

I thank Gov. Moore and his staff for visiting Montgomery County and highlighting this critical issue for our families.

Black History Month and the Renaming of the Executive Office Building After Ike Leggett

This year marks 50 years since the very first Black History Month. Every year it allows us to look back at the contributions of Black Americans here in Montgomery County and beyond.  

It is significant to me because I do not think this country can heal and put itself on the right course until it deals with its own history. We have avoided real discussions about Black history for years.  

The Trump administration wants to prohibit federal employees from having those discussions. Anybody who has worked to address inequities in society and to help raise all people up is being targeted for removal from their jobs.

I am proud to say that Montgomery County will continue its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. In fact, I would rather use all three words than the acronym ‘DEI’ because it emphasizes how important each element is. This week I was proud to be part of the County’s Black History Month program. I appreciate the work being done by our Office of Racial Equity, Office of Human Rights and others to set up a wonderful program for our employees that was entertaining and educational. The picture above, from a celebration earlier in the week at the County Council, highlighted the importance of recognizing this month each year.

When lessons focusing on the inherent bias in many parts of our society were introduced under the term “critical race theory” - that effort was vilified. Critical race theory is just the telling of American history in the way that it actually occurred. That may be uncomfortable for some, but it’s reality. The end of the Civil War and the passage 100 years later of landmark civil rights legislation failed to create the necessary programs and changes to give full and equal rights to black Americans. Nor did it do anything to concretely address the consequences of three centuries of racism, bigotry and white supremacy. 

For too long, we denied that the aspiration of “liberty and justice for all” had no meaning for Black Americans. It is frightening to me that even today, there is a drive to pretend that enacting racist policies never happened and that its impact does not matter.  

In Montgomery County, we use this month to highlight educational opportunities through our libraries, recreation centers and even our Office of Agriculture. The Underground Railroad ran through our community, allowing slaves from the south to travel north to freedom.  This County was blanketed by plantations that used slaves, and when that ended, our predecessors found another way to block the benefits of freedom to the formerly enslaved people by placing racial covenants on much of the land. Those efforts to block renting and owning a home persisted into the 1960s. Understanding our complete history is absolutely essential.

To mark another historic event, we announced in December that the Executive Office Building in Rockville will be renamed to honor former County Executive Ike Leggett, the first person of color to be County Executive and a trail blazer in numerous ways. This renaming ceremony will take place on Monday, February 24 at 3 p.m. with speeches honoring County Executive Leggett and an official unveiling of the Executive Office Building’s new name.   

We expect a packed house to honor this great man and are asking people to RSVP. Please email us at leggettevent@montogomerycountymd.gov to reserve your spot at this historic event.

 
As always, my appreciation for all of you,



Marc Elrich
County Executive

Inaugural Super Bowl SoberRide® Campaign Launched to Prevent DUI in the DMV

This year for the first time, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) will offer free safe rides on Super Bowl Sunday. On Sunday, Feb. 9 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, WRAP will provide rides to help keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk period. More than one-third of U.S. traffic deaths during the Super Bowl involve drunk drivers.

Area residents ages 21 and older celebrating with alcohol may download the Lyft app to their phones and then enter the SoberRide® code in the app’s ‘payment’ tab (under the ‘add Lyft Pass’ option) to receive their no-cost (up to $15) safe transportation home. WRAP’s 2025 Super Bowl SoberRide® promo code will be posted at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9th on www.SoberRide.com.

More than one-third of U.S. traffic deaths during the Super Bowl involve drunk drivers.

For more information about WRAP and their work to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking in the metropolitan area, their website at https://wrap.org/.

Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Decorated LoveFlash Buses Return for the Month of February

 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is celebrating love during the month of February with its Flash Bus Rapid Transit service. Five Flash BRT buses servicing Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) are decorated with neon heart lights and heart decals. In addition, starting next week, on Monday, Feb 10, riders who visit the Four Corners, Burnt Mills, White Oak and Briggs-Chaney Flash bus stations can snap selfies with special Valentine installations. 

Montgomery County residents are encouraged to take pictures of the buses or selfies at the decorated stations and post them to social media to be entered into a weekly drawing for a $25 gift card. To enter, snap a picture of a decorated LoveFlash bus or take a selfie or picture at one of the decorated Flash stations, and post it on X,  Bluesky,  Instagram,  Threads or Facebook and tag @MCDOTNow for a chance to win a $25 gift card in a weekly, random draw. Be sure to follow the @MCDOTNow account to ensure your post will be seen. The contest will run until Friday, Feb. 28.