Dear Friends,
This has been a difficult week in our County, especially for those who knew Lieutenant Christopher Higgins. He died while responding to a house fire on Saturday evening and was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant. Chris was a member of the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS) family for more than 20 years and was assigned to the Burtonsville station.
We have seen tributes to his life this week, and they will continue in the days to come. Coworkers will remember him as exceptionally skilled and an excellent mentor with an unwavering commitment to protecting our community. Our thoughts are with all our firefighters, the East County community, and, most importantly, his family.
Firefighters have jobs that are far more dangerous than most. They and their family know that with every call, someone may not come home. These jobs are incredibly difficult because of the stress endured and the physical demands.
I met with the Higgins family Saturday evening, offered my heartfelt condolences and told them that our County would support them in whatever ways needed. I also passed along condolences from our governor and lieutenant governor and thanked our state leaders for keeping Chris in their thoughts.
The public can pay their respects at a memorial service held by his former coworkers on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lighthouse Church in Glen Burnie.
When we are faced with a death like this, we stand together to honor the fallen, support those who are grieving and move forward fully aware of how heavy Chris’ death weighs on our community.
Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Capital Improvements Program Update
This is the biennial, or second year, of the CIP. As a result, amendments are limited to project changes that either meet the County’s CIP amendment criteria or that are necessary to address capital or operating budget constraints. This budget represents our ongoing commitment to investing in critical infrastructure, education and economic development, even as we navigate a challenging fiscal landscape.
The choices in this budget reflect the difficult balance we must strike. We have made it a priority to maintain funding for critical projects like Bus Rapid Transit, school renovations and accessibility improvements to County facilities. These investments address immediate needs while aligning with our broader goals of equity, sustainability and economic growth.
This CIP allocates $1.74 billion for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) capital projects over the next six years, including more than $28 million for the Charles W. Woodward High School reopening project, ensuring the completion of its auditorium and associated spaces. Similarly, we’re providing $20 million for Crown High School to finalize its auditorium, classrooms, labs and stadium. Additionally, $5 million is earmarked for stadium upgrades at Northwood High School and $4.5 million will address backlogs in critical HVAC improvements.
Montgomery College will receive $410 million in funding, reflecting a 3.1 percent increase over the prior CIP. This investment includes funds for lifecycle asset replacements, escalating costs and leverages state aid.
We’re also making significant investments in transportation and infrastructure. Highlights include:
Bus Rapid Transit to Columbia: we are using federal aid to support extending the U.S. 29 Flash line into Howard County, connecting Columbia to Silver Spring with a seamless one-seat ride.
Brookville Depot HVAC: A long-overdue replacement of the HVAC system will be partially funded through Green Bank loans.
Vision Zero Bus Stop Improvements: Federal funding of $560,000 will enhance safety at bus stops across the County.
The redevelopment of the White Oak Science Gateway also remains a priority. Accelerated funding will support the construction of critical road infrastructure, ensuring that this mixed-use life sciences development can move forward on schedule. Additionally, we’re investing in ADA compliance at the Germantown Outdoor Pool and adding $600,000 for recreation facility refurbishments to improve accessibility and user experience.
Affordable housing continues to be a cornerstone of my administration. The FY 26 Capital Budget dedicates over $264 million to support housing initiatives, including $7.5 million for the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and additional funding to advance projects like the Hillandale Gateway development. These efforts reflect our commitment to creating housing opportunities for residents of all income levels.
Our budget integrates a racial equity lens, utilizing the Capital Budget Equity Tool (CBET) to identify and address disparities in project planning and implementation. This approach ensures our investments advance equity and reduce systemic inequities. Projects like Bus Rapid Transit on MD 355 and Veirs Mill Road, the Cherry Hill Road Bike Facility and the CASA Rockville Welcome Center are designed to create more equitable access to opportunities and resources. This budget also provides $400,000 to the Scotland AME Zion Church 2nd century project.
You can read more about the recommended budget in the press release here.
While this budget reflects progress, it is not without challenges. Rising costs, reduced impact tax revenues and other fiscal constraints have required difficult decisions. However, these investments represent our unwavering commitment to building a healthy, sustainable and inclusive community for all residents.
While we are making some important investments with our CIP, we lack the ability to more fully invest in infrastructure, which is critical to economic development. Northern Virginia implemented special taxing districts and other tools that have allowed them to make significant investments in transportation, spurring economic development and reducing congestion. It makes a huge difference when business location consultants can tell a company seeking to locate to the region that Virginia is able to finance and build the infrastructure in their plans and deliver it in a timely way, and that they have no idea when Montgomery County could build out their plans because the funding is uncertain.
I encourage you to read former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s op-ed he wrote in the Washington Examiner in 2013 called “Fixing transportation funding in Virginia.” What is incredible about this op-ed is that everything the former Governor said would happen did happen there over the last decade while Maryland has remained stagnant.
Just compare the two states in the recent CNBC rankings for the best states to do business. Virginia was ranked first in the nation overall, third for infrastructure and 24th for the cost of doing business. Maryland was ranked 31st overall, 37th for infrastructure and 47th for the cost of doing business. CNBC also said that for the first time since they began these rankings in 2007, infrastructure investment was weighted most heavily of all the factors.
The most dramatic change in CIP funding sources occurred in impact tax receipts. Based on updated estimates, the recommended CIP assumes the use of $197.3 million in transportation impact taxes and school impact taxes – a nearly $70 million reduction in CIP funding compared to prior approved estimates. The Department of Finance reduced the forecast of school impact tax estimates for the FY 25-30 CIP after a decrease in FY 24 collections to levels not seen since the Great Recession.
Ten years ago, in FY 14, the County collected $60.8 million in school and transportation impact taxes, compared to FY 24 collections totaling only $15.6 million, a reduction of $45 million or 74.4 percent. Since then, the County Council has consistently reduced the impact fees collected from companies to pay for infrastructure. Essentially, that shifts the burden off businesses and puts it on the backs of County residents.
While the FY 24 shortfall is mostly attributed to sluggish development activity, the Council continues to pass legislation eroding this important revenue source without first identifying a feasible replacement. Bill 16-24, which was enacted by the Council over my veto, is estimated to reduce impact tax revenues by $13 million over six years. I appreciate that the Council improved the version recommended by the Planning Board, which was a train wreck and would have cut revenues even more severely.
This is the sixth time since 2013 that the Council (not just this council but previous councils as well) has cut the impact tax revenues available for providing adequate public facilities. Lower development fees that target infrastructure do not make us more attractive to companies because we have seen them consistently pick Northern Virginia over us over the last decade. The reason is that the higher taxes they pay directly benefit them in the form of improved infrastructure. Bill 22-24, which was recently introduced, would further affect impact tax collection. This legislation would postpone revenue collection for residential development between three and six months and one to two years for commercial projects. Based on projections by the County’s Department of Finance, the bill could result in a reduction of $14.8 million over six years for school impact taxes and $13 million over six years for transportation impact taxes with particularly large impacts in the early years of the CIP.
Though the bill does not reduce overall collections, the delay in the collection of revenues would compound the effect of reductions to impact tax estimates. These reductions are not assumed in my recommended CIP and approving this legislation would require further project delays or reductions to remove $27.8 million from the CIP over a six-year period.
Despite these challenges, there are bright spots. We have seen increases in recordation tax revenues as the housing market begins to recover, and we have successfully leveraged federal and state grants to advance key projects. These additional resources demonstrate the importance of strategic planning and partnerships in navigating fiscal constraints.
I want to underscore that these investments are about creating a prosperous Montgomery County for decades to come. By clicking this link, you can watch an update from our Office of Management and Budget on the CIP that they provided during my weekly media briefing. The entire proposal with clickable links for each project is available now on the Office of Management and Budget website.
Governor Moore’s Proposed Budget
Maryland Governor Wes Moore shared his proposed budget this week.
I applaud his leadership in navigating the dual challenges of a fiscal crisis and shifting federal policies while prioritizing bold solutions that promote economic growth and progressive tax reform. At the end of the day, whether at the State or here in the County, the need to foster economic growth is critical to changing the fiscal outlook.
As the Governor noted in his Baltimore Sun op-ed “Economic growth is our North Star. Anyone who suggests we can just cut our way to prosperity isn’t being honest. Anyone who suggests we can just tax our way to prosperity isn’t being honest, either. The key to long-term success is consistent and robust economic growth.”
The Governor’s recommendations for tax reform are particularly noteworthy. I appreciate his recognition of the importance of progressivity in taxation and his implementation of combined reporting. This strategy is used successfully in 28 states and Washington, DC, including Texas, Kentucky and California. The Governor also wants to reduce the corporate income tax rate and take steps to modernize Maryland’s tax code.
I have been talking about tax reform over the last few years, especially when the Maryland General Assembly is in session. I will continue to push for more local tax autonomy. We need to be able to differentiate the tax rate between commercial and residential properties – a right municipalities have under State law, but counties do not.
These reforms will help attract new businesses to our State while ensuring existing companies have the tools to thrive. Changes are needed because no county in Maryland currently can build large-scale infrastructure, which would help us attract and retain companies that want to move here or continue to grow.
As Gov. Moore has rightly pointed out, our state’s strength lies in its ability to create pathways for good jobs, good wages, and wealth building. His budget shows that they are willing to make greater investments in key industries like quantum, cyber, manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
His decision to increase the State’s willingness to compete for high-paying jobs and industries willing to make significant investments will put us on the map. These investments align with Maryland’s extraordinary assets, such as world-class universities and federal labs. They also position Montgomery County as the leader in these emerging technologies through the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing in North Bethesda. Here is a video produced by the university about the Institute’s progress after two years and future potential.
The Governor proposes record funding for K-12 education, workforce training and ongoing support for other vital programs, including housing and health care. This plan reflects a commitment to addressing our residents' real challenges, ensuring Maryland is a place where everyone can live, work and thrive.
I look forward to partnering with Gov. Moore and the General Assembly to build on this strong foundation and deliver the economic growth and opportunity that all Marylanders deserve.
Ramping Up the Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network
I want to share a new video about Montgomery County's planned Bus Rapid Transit network, Flash. Flash BRT is a premium public transportation service with buses arriving every few minutes helping you get where you are going faster. It also offers state-of-the-art weather-protected bus shelters, real-time arrival screens and USB charging onboard.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation already has one Flash corridor in service along U.S. 29/Colesville Road. It travels between Downtown Silver Spring and the Briggs Chaney area near Paint Branch High School and offers service to Burtonsville during weekday rush hours.
And just this week, in our updated Capital Budget proposal, we recommended funding additional Flash buses to extend this line into Howard County, ending in Columbia. That extension would be paid for through $3.4 million in Federal money as well as $1.5 million contributed by Howard County.
Howard County’s own capital improvement program will design and build four Bus Rapid Transit stations in downtown Columbia , Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Merriweather Drive and Maple Lawn.
This is a big deal and a win-win for both counties and our residents who have to commute between our two jurisdictions. I want to thank Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Maryland Regional Transportation Agency and our Congressional Delegation for their partnership, collaboration and investment.
You will be hearing a lot more about Flash in the years to come because the County is planning seven additional corridors. Veirs Mill Road is the next corridor that will have Flash Service, launching in 2026.
As this tutorial explains, Flash is easy to use—it travels up and down one major roadway and, like light rail, stops at each stop, connecting to other Flash routes that do the same. Plans call for bus-only lanes and signal prioritization at intersections which allows buses to pass traffic in some spots. That will help get riders to where they are going faster. Flash is also $1 to ride, like all other County Ride On buses.
Each Flash project includes significant infrastructure improvements, transforming high-density areas into safer, walkable and bikeable communities.
We hope this new video gets more people excited to ride Flash. I encourage you to watch the video now and explore all our public transportation options at montgomercountymd.gov/dot.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This encompasses trafficking for sex, but also trafficking people and forcing them to work. We do not have many cases reported to police in Montgomery County. Still, we know it is an underreported crime. We know some victims are discovered despite never being reported missing with loved ones unaware of their torment.
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, and it must be eliminated.
Traffickers exploit vulnerable people. They do this by force, fraud and coercion. Close to 200,000 victims have been identified by the National Human Trafficking Hotline since it launched in 2007. Montgomery County's Human Trafficking Prevention Committee collaborates with law enforcement, community organizations and advocates to support survivors and dismantle trafficking networks. Efforts focus on addressing both sex and labor trafficking, which may occur in places like hotels, homes or unregulated businesses.
For more than a decade, we have been committed to expanding survivor services, prosecuting traffickers and stopping this crime in Montgomery County. If you suspect trafficking, call the 24-hour crisis line at 240- 777-4357 or the national hotline at 1-888-373-7888. You can also report online at humantraffickinghotline.org.
Health Update
According to the Maryland Department of Health, we are currently experiencing seasonal highs in the number of flu cases, but it is not the only threat to our community. COVID-19, RSV and Norovirus are also making people sick.
Because of the increased presence of these respiratory illnesses, this week, State health leaders issued a new facemask recommendation for individuals visiting or working in health care facilities. The recommendation applies to outpatient and long-term care centers. The County is also making facemasks available for patients visiting its clinics.
Montgomery County saw a rise in the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests and twice as many people hospitalized with complications since the last update. There were 31 patients this week compared to 15 two weeks ago. State hospitalizations are also up.
Vaccines are the best form of protection. Our Department of Health and Human Services provides information about COVID-19, flu and other vaccines. They also recommend frequent hand washing to stop the spread of germs. Staying home when you are sick and wearing a mask around others when you have respiratory symptoms is important to help keep these viruses from spreading. Remind your friends and family of these important steps as we continue through the winter season.
Martin Luther King Jr. Inspires Service
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is also a guiding light for many of us who are concerned about the next four years under the new administration:
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
Rather than dedicating the traditional day to Dr. King, Monday, Jan. 20, is set for another event— the Presidential inauguration. Because of that, we are adjusting our events so that they are not overshadowed. Service events will be held across the County on Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19. Those projects will help our community partners provide the kind of assistance that many in our community rely on them for. Many of the service project activities are filled to capacity but visit the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website to find other opportunities and see the story in this newsletter about Montgomery Parks activities.
On Sunday, Jan. 19, we celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The event focuses on telling powerful stories about Dr. King’s influence through music and storytelling performances. This is a way to share important messages about our local and national history regarding race relations. The show starts at 4 p.m., and while this is a free event, tickets are required through the Music Center at Strathmore or the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights website.
No matter how you spend Martin Luther King Day, remember that this day has been set aside for a reason. I remember going to the famous March on Washington back in 1963. I remember how special it was to see so many people moving in the same direction toward equality. Montgomery County and Maryland have changed a lot in the decades since. We went from a government that enacted and supported racist segregation policies to one that understands the need for equity across our government and throughout our community. That has helped us become one of the best and most diverse counties in the nation.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Capital Improvements Program Update
This is the biennial, or second year, of the CIP. As a result, amendments are limited to project changes that either meet the County’s CIP amendment criteria or that are necessary to address capital or operating budget constraints. This budget represents our ongoing commitment to investing in critical infrastructure, education and economic development, even as we navigate a challenging fiscal landscape.
The choices in this budget reflect the difficult balance we must strike. We have made it a priority to maintain funding for critical projects like Bus Rapid Transit, school renovations and accessibility improvements to County facilities. These investments address immediate needs while aligning with our broader goals of equity, sustainability and economic growth.
This CIP allocates $1.74 billion for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) capital projects over the next six years, including more than $28 million for the Charles W. Woodward High School reopening project, ensuring the completion of its auditorium and associated spaces. Similarly, we’re providing $20 million for Crown High School to finalize its auditorium, classrooms, labs and stadium. Additionally, $5 million is earmarked for stadium upgrades at Northwood High School and $4.5 million will address backlogs in critical HVAC improvements.
Montgomery College will receive $410 million in funding, reflecting a 3.1 percent increase over the prior CIP. This investment includes funds for lifecycle asset replacements, escalating costs and leverages state aid.
We’re also making significant investments in transportation and infrastructure. Highlights include:
Bus Rapid Transit to Columbia: we are using federal aid to support extending the U.S. 29 Flash line into Howard County, connecting Columbia to Silver Spring with a seamless one-seat ride.
Brookville Depot HVAC: A long-overdue replacement of the HVAC system will be partially funded through Green Bank loans.
Vision Zero Bus Stop Improvements: Federal funding of $560,000 will enhance safety at bus stops across the County.
The redevelopment of the White Oak Science Gateway also remains a priority. Accelerated funding will support the construction of critical road infrastructure, ensuring that this mixed-use life sciences development can move forward on schedule. Additionally, we’re investing in ADA compliance at the Germantown Outdoor Pool and adding $600,000 for recreation facility refurbishments to improve accessibility and user experience.
Affordable housing continues to be a cornerstone of my administration. The FY 26 Capital Budget dedicates over $264 million to support housing initiatives, including $7.5 million for the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and additional funding to advance projects like the Hillandale Gateway development. These efforts reflect our commitment to creating housing opportunities for residents of all income levels.
Our budget integrates a racial equity lens, utilizing the Capital Budget Equity Tool (CBET) to identify and address disparities in project planning and implementation. This approach ensures our investments advance equity and reduce systemic inequities. Projects like Bus Rapid Transit on MD 355 and Veirs Mill Road, the Cherry Hill Road Bike Facility and the CASA Rockville Welcome Center are designed to create more equitable access to opportunities and resources. This budget also provides $400,000 to the Scotland AME Zion Church 2nd century project.
You can read more about the recommended budget in the press release here.
While this budget reflects progress, it is not without challenges. Rising costs, reduced impact tax revenues and other fiscal constraints have required difficult decisions. However, these investments represent our unwavering commitment to building a healthy, sustainable and inclusive community for all residents.
While we are making some important investments with our CIP, we lack the ability to more fully invest in infrastructure, which is critical to economic development. Northern Virginia implemented special taxing districts and other tools that have allowed them to make significant investments in transportation, spurring economic development and reducing congestion. It makes a huge difference when business location consultants can tell a company seeking to locate to the region that Virginia is able to finance and build the infrastructure in their plans and deliver it in a timely way, and that they have no idea when Montgomery County could build out their plans because the funding is uncertain.
I encourage you to read former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s op-ed he wrote in the Washington Examiner in 2013 called “Fixing transportation funding in Virginia.” What is incredible about this op-ed is that everything the former Governor said would happen did happen there over the last decade while Maryland has remained stagnant.
Just compare the two states in the recent CNBC rankings for the best states to do business. Virginia was ranked first in the nation overall, third for infrastructure and 24th for the cost of doing business. Maryland was ranked 31st overall, 37th for infrastructure and 47th for the cost of doing business. CNBC also said that for the first time since they began these rankings in 2007, infrastructure investment was weighted most heavily of all the factors.
The most dramatic change in CIP funding sources occurred in impact tax receipts. Based on updated estimates, the recommended CIP assumes the use of $197.3 million in transportation impact taxes and school impact taxes – a nearly $70 million reduction in CIP funding compared to prior approved estimates. The Department of Finance reduced the forecast of school impact tax estimates for the FY 25-30 CIP after a decrease in FY 24 collections to levels not seen since the Great Recession.
Ten years ago, in FY 14, the County collected $60.8 million in school and transportation impact taxes, compared to FY 24 collections totaling only $15.6 million, a reduction of $45 million or 74.4 percent. Since then, the County Council has consistently reduced the impact fees collected from companies to pay for infrastructure. Essentially, that shifts the burden off businesses and puts it on the backs of County residents.
While the FY 24 shortfall is mostly attributed to sluggish development activity, the Council continues to pass legislation eroding this important revenue source without first identifying a feasible replacement. Bill 16-24, which was enacted by the Council over my veto, is estimated to reduce impact tax revenues by $13 million over six years. I appreciate that the Council improved the version recommended by the Planning Board, which was a train wreck and would have cut revenues even more severely.
This is the sixth time since 2013 that the Council (not just this council but previous councils as well) has cut the impact tax revenues available for providing adequate public facilities. Lower development fees that target infrastructure do not make us more attractive to companies because we have seen them consistently pick Northern Virginia over us over the last decade. The reason is that the higher taxes they pay directly benefit them in the form of improved infrastructure. Bill 22-24, which was recently introduced, would further affect impact tax collection. This legislation would postpone revenue collection for residential development between three and six months and one to two years for commercial projects. Based on projections by the County’s Department of Finance, the bill could result in a reduction of $14.8 million over six years for school impact taxes and $13 million over six years for transportation impact taxes with particularly large impacts in the early years of the CIP.
Though the bill does not reduce overall collections, the delay in the collection of revenues would compound the effect of reductions to impact tax estimates. These reductions are not assumed in my recommended CIP and approving this legislation would require further project delays or reductions to remove $27.8 million from the CIP over a six-year period.
Despite these challenges, there are bright spots. We have seen increases in recordation tax revenues as the housing market begins to recover, and we have successfully leveraged federal and state grants to advance key projects. These additional resources demonstrate the importance of strategic planning and partnerships in navigating fiscal constraints.
I want to underscore that these investments are about creating a prosperous Montgomery County for decades to come. By clicking this link, you can watch an update from our Office of Management and Budget on the CIP that they provided during my weekly media briefing. The entire proposal with clickable links for each project is available now on the Office of Management and Budget website.
Governor Moore’s Proposed Budget
Maryland Governor Wes Moore shared his proposed budget this week.
I applaud his leadership in navigating the dual challenges of a fiscal crisis and shifting federal policies while prioritizing bold solutions that promote economic growth and progressive tax reform. At the end of the day, whether at the State or here in the County, the need to foster economic growth is critical to changing the fiscal outlook.
As the Governor noted in his Baltimore Sun op-ed “Economic growth is our North Star. Anyone who suggests we can just cut our way to prosperity isn’t being honest. Anyone who suggests we can just tax our way to prosperity isn’t being honest, either. The key to long-term success is consistent and robust economic growth.”
The Governor’s recommendations for tax reform are particularly noteworthy. I appreciate his recognition of the importance of progressivity in taxation and his implementation of combined reporting. This strategy is used successfully in 28 states and Washington, DC, including Texas, Kentucky and California. The Governor also wants to reduce the corporate income tax rate and take steps to modernize Maryland’s tax code.
I have been talking about tax reform over the last few years, especially when the Maryland General Assembly is in session. I will continue to push for more local tax autonomy. We need to be able to differentiate the tax rate between commercial and residential properties – a right municipalities have under State law, but counties do not.
These reforms will help attract new businesses to our State while ensuring existing companies have the tools to thrive. Changes are needed because no county in Maryland currently can build large-scale infrastructure, which would help us attract and retain companies that want to move here or continue to grow.
As Gov. Moore has rightly pointed out, our state’s strength lies in its ability to create pathways for good jobs, good wages, and wealth building. His budget shows that they are willing to make greater investments in key industries like quantum, cyber, manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
His decision to increase the State’s willingness to compete for high-paying jobs and industries willing to make significant investments will put us on the map. These investments align with Maryland’s extraordinary assets, such as world-class universities and federal labs. They also position Montgomery County as the leader in these emerging technologies through the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing in North Bethesda. Here is a video produced by the university about the Institute’s progress after two years and future potential.
The Governor proposes record funding for K-12 education, workforce training and ongoing support for other vital programs, including housing and health care. This plan reflects a commitment to addressing our residents' real challenges, ensuring Maryland is a place where everyone can live, work and thrive.
I look forward to partnering with Gov. Moore and the General Assembly to build on this strong foundation and deliver the economic growth and opportunity that all Marylanders deserve.
Ramping Up the Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network
I want to share a new video about Montgomery County's planned Bus Rapid Transit network, Flash. Flash BRT is a premium public transportation service with buses arriving every few minutes helping you get where you are going faster. It also offers state-of-the-art weather-protected bus shelters, real-time arrival screens and USB charging onboard.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation already has one Flash corridor in service along U.S. 29/Colesville Road. It travels between Downtown Silver Spring and the Briggs Chaney area near Paint Branch High School and offers service to Burtonsville during weekday rush hours.
And just this week, in our updated Capital Budget proposal, we recommended funding additional Flash buses to extend this line into Howard County, ending in Columbia. That extension would be paid for through $3.4 million in Federal money as well as $1.5 million contributed by Howard County.
Howard County’s own capital improvement program will design and build four Bus Rapid Transit stations in downtown Columbia , Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Merriweather Drive and Maple Lawn.
This is a big deal and a win-win for both counties and our residents who have to commute between our two jurisdictions. I want to thank Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Maryland Regional Transportation Agency and our Congressional Delegation for their partnership, collaboration and investment.
You will be hearing a lot more about Flash in the years to come because the County is planning seven additional corridors. Veirs Mill Road is the next corridor that will have Flash Service, launching in 2026.
As this tutorial explains, Flash is easy to use—it travels up and down one major roadway and, like light rail, stops at each stop, connecting to other Flash routes that do the same. Plans call for bus-only lanes and signal prioritization at intersections which allows buses to pass traffic in some spots. That will help get riders to where they are going faster. Flash is also $1 to ride, like all other County Ride On buses.
Each Flash project includes significant infrastructure improvements, transforming high-density areas into safer, walkable and bikeable communities.
We hope this new video gets more people excited to ride Flash. I encourage you to watch the video now and explore all our public transportation options at montgomercountymd.gov/dot.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This encompasses trafficking for sex, but also trafficking people and forcing them to work. We do not have many cases reported to police in Montgomery County. Still, we know it is an underreported crime. We know some victims are discovered despite never being reported missing with loved ones unaware of their torment.
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, and it must be eliminated.
Traffickers exploit vulnerable people. They do this by force, fraud and coercion. Close to 200,000 victims have been identified by the National Human Trafficking Hotline since it launched in 2007. Montgomery County's Human Trafficking Prevention Committee collaborates with law enforcement, community organizations and advocates to support survivors and dismantle trafficking networks. Efforts focus on addressing both sex and labor trafficking, which may occur in places like hotels, homes or unregulated businesses.
For more than a decade, we have been committed to expanding survivor services, prosecuting traffickers and stopping this crime in Montgomery County. If you suspect trafficking, call the 24-hour crisis line at 240- 777-4357 or the national hotline at 1-888-373-7888. You can also report online at humantraffickinghotline.org.
Health Update
According to the Maryland Department of Health, we are currently experiencing seasonal highs in the number of flu cases, but it is not the only threat to our community. COVID-19, RSV and Norovirus are also making people sick.
Because of the increased presence of these respiratory illnesses, this week, State health leaders issued a new facemask recommendation for individuals visiting or working in health care facilities. The recommendation applies to outpatient and long-term care centers. The County is also making facemasks available for patients visiting its clinics.
Montgomery County saw a rise in the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests and twice as many people hospitalized with complications since the last update. There were 31 patients this week compared to 15 two weeks ago. State hospitalizations are also up.
Vaccines are the best form of protection. Our Department of Health and Human Services provides information about COVID-19, flu and other vaccines. They also recommend frequent hand washing to stop the spread of germs. Staying home when you are sick and wearing a mask around others when you have respiratory symptoms is important to help keep these viruses from spreading. Remind your friends and family of these important steps as we continue through the winter season.
Martin Luther King Jr. Inspires Service
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is also a guiding light for many of us who are concerned about the next four years under the new administration:
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
Rather than dedicating the traditional day to Dr. King, Monday, Jan. 20, is set for another event— the Presidential inauguration. Because of that, we are adjusting our events so that they are not overshadowed. Service events will be held across the County on Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19. Those projects will help our community partners provide the kind of assistance that many in our community rely on them for. Many of the service project activities are filled to capacity but visit the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website to find other opportunities and see the story in this newsletter about Montgomery Parks activities.
On Sunday, Jan. 19, we celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The event focuses on telling powerful stories about Dr. King’s influence through music and storytelling performances. This is a way to share important messages about our local and national history regarding race relations. The show starts at 4 p.m., and while this is a free event, tickets are required through the Music Center at Strathmore or the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights website.
No matter how you spend Martin Luther King Day, remember that this day has been set aside for a reason. I remember going to the famous March on Washington back in 1963. I remember how special it was to see so many people moving in the same direction toward equality. Montgomery County and Maryland have changed a lot in the decades since. We went from a government that enacted and supported racist segregation policies to one that understands the need for equity across our government and throughout our community. That has helped us become one of the best and most diverse counties in the nation.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
