Dear Friends,
This week in my video, I interview LaTisha Gasaway-Paul who is a fifth generation resident of the historic Scotland community, which was founded by people who were formerly enslaved. While the community has faced tremendous adversity since it began in 1880, it is thriving today and boasts some remarkable members, including Ms. Gasaway-Paul. More information is below, and last week’s newsletter.
Funding for Our Schools
Our Montgomery County public schools are some of the best in
the nation and an important reason why people want to live here. Funding for
the schools is about half of the County’s operating budget (and a big portion
of the County’s capital budget). The recently approved budget for the
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has been raising questions and
concerns.
I am concerned by the school
board's decision to fix its budgeting shortfall by increasing class sizes.
My staff and I are in conversations with MCPS staff and County Councilmembers
about possible solutions. At least part
of the issue is tied to the escalating cost of health care for MCPS employees
and retirees. When I finalized my recommended budget in March, this was not
forecasted to be an issue. However, by the time the County Council passed the
budget in May, there was a $22 million hole in Fiscal Year 2024 and a $22
million hole for FY25, and there may be more as well.
So, what caused this? From conversations with school
district leaders, I understand that inaccurate financial forecasting and
inflationary costs for health care coverage are a big part of it. Actuaries
looking at MCPS finances did not anticipate the amount being spent currently
and what will need to be spent. We are working with MCPS staff to improve their
cost projections for the coming years. In the meantime, these are real costs
that must be paid – these are health care costs for current employees and
retirees. That is why I will be
advocating that we shift some of our “pre-funding” dollars that are currently
allocated for a fund for future retiree health care costs to pay for current
healthcare costs. I explain this more in my newsletterfrom a few weeks ago.
This is a solution that would help close the cost gap
without jeopardizing health care funding for current employees or current or
future retirees.
We have known that when Federal funds ran out, we would face
the same demands without the additional resources we need. That is why I had
proposed a property tax increase last year that was targeted solely for
education funding. While I appreciated the County Council supporting some tax
increase, it supported an amount too low and instead directed the school system
to use the last of one-time Federal funds to meet ongoing needs. The Council and I knew then that we would be
facing this problem this year, and we will continue to face it going forward.
I am cognizant of minimizing tax burdens on our residents.
Still, there is room to expand how much we collect from households with the means
to pay more and from companies contributing a lower share of taxes compared to
what they pay in neighboring jurisdictions. Efforts to pass fair share tax
legislation failed at the State legislature earlier this year, and was not supported by the Council. However,
we will renew those efforts for the next session.
Other measures I support would help increase revenue in
every Maryland county. We are long overdue for having the authority to generate
meaningful revenue for our desperately needed transportation projects as has
been done successfully in Northern Virginia. They have authority to create a
different tax rate for commercial property versus residential property so the
commercial tax rates can be increased to support transit investments. The
commercial property owners want the
increased investment because they know the funds will be used to support
transportation infrastructure (such as the Silver Line in Northern Virginia is
supported by taxes there), and that infrastructure makes their projects more
desirable. A similar system here would free up taxpayer dollars for other
projects, including for schools. You can read more about this idea in my newsletter
from March 1.
Look around us and you will see neighboring jurisdictions in
Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia are in the process of raising taxes to
offset higher operating costs. We have avoided that this budget cycle, but we
need to be sure that we continue to invest in our County.
Our school system has a stellar reputation, and it has been
struggling to maintain its high quality of education since the last recession,
when we had to reset the spending. We have not yet reinvested in the same way
we did before. If we want to maintain the quality of our schools, we must
invest in our schools, students and teachers.
Larger classes, as explained in an MCPS video
from 2017, are a way to spend less money, but they place a burden on educators.
The pandemic has created some new problems and highlighted older ones. We need
to support our teaching staff.
The school district is a poster child for what happens
because of inflation. Costs are rising beyond expectations, and we must react
to that in real time. If this is the new normal regarding health care costs, we
will have to adjust our thinking regarding how we fund the schools. The
consequences of not addressing those costs will inevitably impact education in
the County. Additionally, investing in
our school district helps our home values and the quality of life for
everyone. We cannot adopt an approach of
compensating for increasing health care costs by cutting investments in our
classrooms.
You can listen to my discussion of this issue during this week’s media briefing at https://youtu.be/n2OewFAcqz8?si=xa3qR8GuIIjg_mUS&t=1179.
Talking About Transit Regionally: ‘DMV Moves’
I am pleased to join the
“DMV Moves” task force, which had its first meeting on Monday. This initiative,
launched by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA, or
Metro) in collaboration with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
(COG), seeks to address one of the area’s most critical challenges. Public
transit funding in the DMV region has not been supported to the level it needs
to be reliable and efficient. Now we have a chance to change that and make
other improvements.
Developing a cohesive plan is essential for creating a
sustainable, efficient, and user-friendly public transit system that meets the
needs of Montgomery County and our growing metropolitan area. By focusing on
shared objectives, the task force can ensure that improvements in public
transit serve the collective interests of all communities within the DMV
area.
We must analyze public transportation and treat it as an asset.
Right now, we hear complaints about inconsistent and inadequate services. A robust
funding model is necessary to support public transit options' long-term
viability and expansion.
According to Metro leaders, 88 percent of commuters surveyed
in the region have access to public transit, but only five percent currently
use it. This stark discrepancy indicates significant barriers to public transit
usage that must be addressed. The DMV Moves initiative aims to significantly
boost public transit utilization by improving service quality and reliability
and offering compelling incentives.
Enhancing the frequency, seamlessness and reliability of
public transit will make it a more attractive option for daily commuters,
increasing ridership and reducing dependence on private vehicles. We have
to make transit more attractive to more people so that people will choose to
leave their cars behind.
The DMV Moves initiative is a timely and necessary effort to
overhaul and improve public transit options regionwide. I am encouraged by the
rounded discussions on our ideas on Monday, and I look forward to being part of
this process moving forward.
Recognizing Our LGBTQ+ Community
I joined the County Council and area leaders this week in
raising the Progress Pride flag in Rockville to mark Montgomery County's sixth
annual Pride celebration. You can watch that ceremony here. It is essential to
recognize the significance of flying the flag in our County and understand the
past, present and future of our LGBTQ+ community.
We have worked hard for decades to make Montgomery County an
inclusive place for everyone. Forty-one years ago, I was on the City Council of
Takoma Park that passed a domestic partnership law allowing same gender
partners at the hospital with them because, at the time, family members could
still block that from happening. Since that time, many other legislators and
community members have successfully advocated for more improvements, including
the historic legislation authorizing the freedom to marry for same gender
couples.
One of the leaders in that effort in the state legislature
was Rich Madaleno, who now holds the top administrative position in Montgomery
County Government. As a State senator, Rich was a champion for legal
protections for the LGBTQ+ community, and it is great to have him now serving
the County.
While we have come a long way and have much to celebrate,
there are still threats today that could undermine what we have accomplished.
A 2023 report
on bias incidents investigated by the Montgomery County Police Department
showed a 200 percent rise in reported bias incidents from 2022. Police
determined approximately 10 percent of those incidents were based on sexual
orientation and another 2 percent were based on gender identity.
I have been around long enough to see lots of examples of
harassment, sometimes to members of my family. Over time, that receded, but now
it seems like it is coming back with increased bullying, racist graffiti and
other forms of hate. We need to retire some of the antiquated thinking that
persists and is passed on from generation to generation.
Our future depends on acceptance. I want to thank the
County’s LGBTQ+ Liaison, Amena Johnson, for her great work and also want to thank
Montgomery County Pride and Live In Your Truth for helping and
advocating for the community.
I am glad we live in a County where so many businesses proudly
support Pride. Look for the stickers in store windows that show the LGBTQ+
community is accepted and supported. Here is a link to learn
more about the decals design and how to get one. I like where we stand and
where we are going, and I am glad to lead a County filled with so many people
who find these issues just as important as I do.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
I joined the County Council on Tuesday to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and
later joined an event at the Holiday Park Senior Center. We are trying to raise
awareness about elder abuse, an important topic that impacts countless families.
Education is critical to preventing elder abuse, which can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual and financial. Financial scams are ever-present, targeting some of our society's most vulnerable members. Our Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) keeps an eye out for new scams and shares that information through newsletters and other means of communication. If you feel like you have been targeted by a scammer, report it by emailing consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov or to the OCP's Anonymous Tip Line at 240-777-3681.
According to the National
Council on Aging, the annual loss by victims of financial abuse is
estimated to be more than $36.5 billion. This is a staggering figure that
underscores the urgency of our efforts. Financial abuse can leave individuals
broke at a time when they are no longer working, compounding the challenges
they face.
To combat this, we must help everyone identify the signs of
trouble. One study suggests that only one in 24 cases of abuse are reported to
authorities.
Signs of elder abuse include:
- A senior who seems depressed, confused or withdrawn
- Isolation from friends and family
- Unexplained bruises, burns or scars
- Appears dirty, underfed, dehydrated, over- or under-medicated or not receiving needed care for medical problems
- Bed sores or other preventable conditions
- Recent changes in banking or spending patterns
If you are concerned, please reach out to someone who may be
able to help. The Aging
and Disability Resource Unit can be reached at 240-777-3000 or
1-800-91-PREVENT. This 24-hour reporting line ensures that help is always
available.
We have built an age-friendly Montgomery County and managed
the COVID-19 pandemic through collaboration. Our disability and aging services
work daily to address immediate needs and focus on helping seniors with
preventive care. We appreciate the tireless efforts of all who look out for
seniors, including the elder/vulnerable adult task force, police officers and
firefighters.
Let us remain vigilant in protecting our seniors and ensure
that our community is a safe and supportive environment for all.
Juneteenth Celebrations: Scotland Juneteenth Heritage
Festival and Celebration at BlackRock
The second annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage
Festival begins Saturday, June 15,
with an opening night celebration at the Bethesda Theater, starting at 5 p.m.
Festivities include:
- An interfaith breakfast Sunday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., which aims to foster dialogue around shared values and hospitality.
- Free sports clinics for children on Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18.
- A variety of activities on Wednesday, Juneteenth, beginning with a 5K race and 1-mile walk at 8 a.m., a parade at Cabin John Park at 1:30 p.m. and concluding with a “Fireworks Extravaganza” at 9:45 p.m.at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda.
More information and details about the activities are here.
Wednesday as Juneteenth is a County holiday, so check out
the juneteenthscotland.org
website for a complete schedule and to learn more about the holiday's history.
We will also celebrate Juneteenth tomorrow, Saturday, June
15, at the Montgomery
County Juneteenth Freedom at the Rock at the BlackRock Center for the Arts
in Germantown. It is the 27th time the community has come together for this
free and vibrant celebration. Starting at noon, you can enjoy live concerts and
performances and browse the work of festival artists.
Remembering Unhoused People Who Have Died
This week, we recognized the 62 people in our unhoused
community who died since the start of 2023. The annual ceremony is a way to
remember that there remain too many people fighting homelessness. Sadly,
according to the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments point in time count, there are 1,104
people experiencing homelessness across the County, more this year than in
2023. Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones.
In Recognition
This week, we recognized Women
Veterans Day. It is celebrated on June 12 annually to commemorate the
anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. Women in the
military face unique challenges. There is no better way to explain it than learning
directly from them. Montgomery County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs has set
up this
online gallery that allows you to read about some of the vets honored this
week. Right now, we have 26 veteran tributes on that site and welcome more. For
more information about having a friend or loved one honored in the future, call
240-777-1252 or email MCCVA@montgomerycountymd.gov.
I also got to help honor Caribbean American Heritage Month. We
welcome the many Caribbean Americans who share their culture with all of us
every year. Montgomery County is home to nearly one-third of the Caribbean
Americans who live in Maryland. They have provided leadership in our community
across government, sports, entertainment, the arts and many other fields. This
year’s African + Caribbean Music
Festival will be held in Downtown Silver Spring on Sunday, Aug. 25.
The Silver Spring Blues Festival Concludes
I hope you can make it to Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver on
Saturday, June 15, for the Silver
Spring Blues Festival. The 15th annual jam will feature at least 10 artists
throughout the day beginning at 10 a.m. The free event wraps up at 10 p.m.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive