Dear Friends,
Last week, I talked about the sheer scale of our community’s connection to the federal government—77,550 federal employees call Montgomery County home, and 48,433 federal jobs are based right here. That’s a massive part of our local economy. It supports families, businesses and the public services that residents depend on.
But what’s happening now under the Trump Administration is starting to shake that foundation.
Just this month, the National Institutes of Health laid off 1,000 workers and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has fired an estimated 5,200 probationary employees. That is thousands of people who did critical work on our behalf who are now without a job.
And it doesn’t stop there.
We have received Work Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices—legal requirements companies must file when there are going to be mass layoffs—from four major firms that work closely with USAID: DAI Global in Bethesda, ABT Global in Rockville, Creative Associates International in Chevy Chase and EnCompass LLC in Silver Spring. Together, that is another 808 jobs lost.
We cannot calculate how many of those individuals are Montgomery County residents, but we do know that the impact does not stop at our borders. We have neighboring jurisdictions with federal workers, contractors and nongovernmental organizations that are feeling these cuts too. Many of those workers are Montgomery County residents. It all adds up.
Behind every one of these layoffs is a an individual or family. A person wondering how they are going to pay rent next month. Parents with kids who still need food on the table and clothes on their backs. Mortgages, medical bills and car payments—none of that goes away just because the paycheck stops.
These layoffs do not just hit the families—they hit all of us. Income tax revenue, sales tax revenue—when people have less to spend, local businesses suffer. Restaurants, dry cleaners, coffee shops, child care centers—businesses that depend on these workers—are going to feel the squeeze. Some already are. And this is just the beginning.
We could be looking at a loss of tens of thousands of jobs in our region by the time these cuts fully take effect. That is a seismic shock to Montgomery County, to our region and to Maryland’s economy.
The worst part of all of this is the approach being taken by the Trump administration. I could see that finding efficiencies could well lead to some job loss, but this approach of shuttering agencies, dismissing thousands of workers and dismantling science research has nothing to do with finding efficiencies. Firing all probationary workers, defined as new employees, is not the same as evaluating the structure of their agencies to determine whether there could be improvements.
The administration has done no analysis of how to do the work better; their only goal is to shut down programs. And whether it is probationary employees or permanent employees, the cuts are about bringing government work to a stop. When you consider the element of comparing political contributions to employee lists and targeting employees who are Democrats, it is essentially a political purge unprecedented in the Federal government since the end of the McCarthy-era witch-hunts in the 1950s.
Locally in government, we do not consider anyone’s political affiliation. We make decisions based on merit in both hiring and promotions. The federal decisions being made are based on revenge, a plan to shrink the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens and to cripple science and health research that many corporations feel impedes their ability to maximize profits. Those watchdogs are in place because we have seen some corporations choose processes or products over the safety of our people or the health of our planet. We should not forget that it was President Richard Nixon who created the Environmental Protection Agency because he saw the need for it.
I want to encourage everyone who is or could be impacted to check out the list of resources we have provided on our website montgomerycountymd.gov. Next Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m., I will join our County Council, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Jamie Raskin in hosting a virtual meeting via Zoom to speak about the uncertainty and difficulty at the federal level. There will be opportunities to submit questions in advance and during the virtual meeting. We cannot solve all the problems created at the federal level, but we do think it is important to be in touch and communicate.
One of our most essential tools in helping displaced workers is WorkSource Montgomery. They have been on the front lines helping workers navigate these challenges and they are ramping up efforts to meet this moment. I invited the Anthony Featherstone, the executive director, to my media briefing this week to discuss their operation and how they can assist job seekers.
Office of Consumer Protection Warns of Housing Scams Amid Federal Shake-ups
In the middle of all this chaos and uncertainty for the federal workforce, something has come to my attention that I find disturbing.
Lately, there have been social media posts claiming that federal workforce reductions are causing a big sell-off of homes in our area. There is no solid evidence backing these claims. Unfortunately, when rumors like this spread, they can create unnecessary worry for homeowners and renters.
We have seen time and again that scammers will pounce when they feel there is an opportunity to take advantage of anxiety, panic and fear. Our Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is keeping a close eye on these issues, and I want to highlight a few ways scammers might try to trick you:
- Market Manipulation: Unverified social media posts may pressure homeowners to sell quickly or deter buyers from entering the market. Always validate real estate trends through trusted sources.
- Fake Listings: Scammers may create fraudulent ads for properties, enticing buyers with deals that seem too good to be true and demanding deposits or application fees upfront. Work with licensed real estate professionals to verify property details.
- Phantom Rentals: Fraudulent rental listings may solicit deposits for homes that are not actually available. Never send money without verifying the property and landlord in person.
- Deceptive Financing Offers: Be wary of fake mortgage relief programs, predatory refinancing or fast-cash offers that undervalue properties. Consult with trusted lenders and obtain multiple evaluations before making financial decisions.
- Impersonation Scams: Scammers may pose as government agencies, lenders or housing assistance programs to steal personal information. Always confirm identities before sharing sensitive details.
If something feels off, or if you think you have come across a scam, reach out to OCP by dialing 311 or calling 240-777-0311 if you're outside the area. You can also visit their office at 100 Maryland Avenue, Suite 3600, in Rockville. Walk-in hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The office was created to protect you. Montgomery County is committed to giving you the tools and resources to make smart, informed decisions. By staying vigilant and working together, we can keep scams from impacting our residents and keep our community safe.
Protecting Families with Just Cause Eviction Standards
Too many people who rent their homes and apartments risk losing their place without a valid reason. That is why I went to Annapolis this week to testify on behalf of new legislation (House Bill 709/Senate Bill 651) that would require a landlord to have "just cause" for evicting a tenant.
Since a moratorium on evictions was lifted following the pandemic, end-of-lease evictions have surged beyond levels we saw before 2020. Without just cause protections across Maryland, landlords can refuse to renew leases for no reason, leaving families scrambling with little notice. This kind of instability harms families—affecting jobs, education and health—and pushes some toward homelessness.
A just cause eviction standard simply requires landlords to provide a valid reason for ending a lease. It is a common-sense measure already in place in other states. It does not stop landlords from managing their properties—it simply ensures evictions are fair and justified. The legislation acknowledges all the reasons a landlord could carry out an eviction when the circumstances warrant it. Those reasons are focused on tenant actions that are damaging to the property, disruptive to other tenants’ quiet enjoyment of their living spaces or refusal to pay rent. What it goes after are cases where tenants get evicted for advocating for decent and safe living conditions in the building where they pay rent and should have a reasonable expectation that landlords deliver a livable apartment.
Simply speaking up or offering a voice for the disenfranchised should not put a target on your back. I hope the General Assembly gives counties the authority to adopt just cause eviction laws to protect more families from unnecessary moves.
As a teacher, I learned that family stability can help improve a child’s ability to succeed in the classroom. When children are happy and not dealing with the kind of stress an eviction can bring, hope grows, goals develop and accomplishments are made.
I want to thank Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, Del. Lorig Charkoudian, Del. Linda Foley, Del. Bernice Mireku-North, Del. Julie Palakovich Carr, Del. Vaughn Stewart and Del. Joe Vogel for leading the fight to make housing fair, stable and affordable for all Marylanders.
MHP Hits Fundraising Goal for Affordable Housing
I want to take a moment to recognize and congratulate, MHP, one of our partners in delivering affordable housing in Montgomery County. MHP provides more than 2,800 quality affordable homes in Montgomery County and nearby communities.
Last November, I joined MHP for the groundbreaking of The Chimes at North Bethesda, an affordable housing development consisting of 163 apartments. Ninety percent of the units will be reserved for those making under 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), and 100 percent will be reserved for those making under 80 percent of AMI.
Earlier this month, MHP announced that they exceeded their Making Home Possible for All campaign goal, raising an impressive $21.1 million. This is a win for our community and a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together to address the urgent need for affordable housing. I want to thank MHP for their efforts and all the donors who gave to this campaign.
When MHP launched this campaign in 2021, its goal was to double the amount of affordable housing by the end of the decade. Thanks to the generosity of nearly 8,000 donors, they arenow able to expand both housing opportunities and the critical wraparound services that help residents thrive. We are not just building structures; it is about making sure people have the support they need to succeed.
The campaign’s theme—Making Home Possible for All—underscores the inclusive nature of MHP’s work. Whether seniors, working families or individuals just trying to get by, everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Behind every affordable home, there is a story of resilience, hope and the possibility of a better future.
While this is an impressive achievement, we all know that we have not reached the finish line. Our County has approximately 50,000 people making less than $50,000 per year. That speaks to the enormous need we have in this community to help people from being priced out of the community they want to call home.
Too many people are faced with impossible choices between paying rent and meeting other basic needs like food, health care and clothing.
Even with a record amount of money spent in the last few years on affordable housing, we must continue to focus on protecting, preserving and producing units in key places. We are looking out for the future and seizing opportunities along Metro and Flash Bus Rapid Transit routes and along growth sectors like the Great Seneca Transit Network. Affordable housing close to transportation, jobs, schools and essential services strengthens our community.
Since 1989, MHP has been a vital partner in expanding access to quality, affordable housing throughout Montgomery County and beyond. We share the same mission of creating a place where everyone can succeed.
I am proud to support their work and look forward to seeing how this milestone paves the way for even greater progress. You can see the impact they have already made by visiting MHP online. Affordable housing is a foundation for a thriving, equitable community, and together, we are making that vision a reality.
Building Renaming Ceremony Set for Monday, Feb. 24
We will end Black History Month next week by renaming the County’s Executive Office Building after former County Executive Ike Leggett. Ike dedicated more than 45 years of his life to public service starting in 1979. He became the first person of color to be elected Councilmember and County Executive in Montgomery County.
The ceremony will be held in Rockville on Monday, Feb. 24, starting at 3 p.m. Some of the special guests include Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. Glenn Ivey.
More than 300 people have already sent a R.S.V.P. We are prepared to handle the big crowd by providing an overflow room for the ceremony. If you would like to join us, email leggettevent@montgomerycountymd.gov. Limited paid parking is available at the Council Office Building parking garage at 100 Maryland Avenue with additional paid parking available at 51 Monroe Street. Ride On and Metro’s Red Line are also options.
For his part, Ike has been humble about all this. He told MyMCMedia last week that he sees this as a testament to his entire team for the work they did to serve the County during his 12 years as County Executive. We appreciate his humility, but we also recognize that the leadership he provided directed the County government to do work that meaningfully impacted people's lives and helped create a more welcoming and inclusive Montgomery County.
February is Library Lovers Month
We are rounding out February and finishing Library Lovers Month strong.
This weekend, we have a robotics workshop happening in Germantown, a documentary film screening in Kensington and a Broadway and Movies-in-Person concert in Wheaton.
I want to thank the Friends of the Library, library patrons, and other supporters for helping our libraries continue offering a variety of programs and special events for our residents.
You still have time to fill out virtual postcards detailing why you love libraries, which will be given to elected leaders. Social media promotions are also underway so you can share with your friends what you love about our libraries. You can find that on the Friends of the Library website under Library Lovers Month or on montgomerycountymd.gov/library.
We are also about one month away from MoComCon – one of the most popular events of the year. This annual convention for fans of comics, graphic novels and other pop art returns March 22 and 23 at the Germantown Library and Blackrock Center for the Arts. A schedule of events is still being worked on, but applications for the art and essay contests are now open. Learn more and submit your entries online.
Health Report
As I mentioned last week, the number of flu cases is high, while the number of vaccinated residents falls short of previous flu seasons. That could explain why flu is sending more people to the hospital than at any time in the last 15 years. More people are getting seriously ill and dying from the flu this year than from COVID-19, which is a first since COVID-19 appeared in 2020.
I do not want to see more people getting sick or spreading respiratory diseases throughout the County. Getting vaccinated is your best defense and is important to the continued health of our community. Please seek out flu and COVID-19 vaccines at your doctor’s office or nearby pharmacy through the website vaccines.gov. Remember to wash your hands frequently, keep a facemask handy if you need one and, if you do get sick, stay home until you are no longer contagious.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
