Dear Friends,
This past weekend, I attended the Friendship Picnic, a celebration of our diversity and different cultures. This year was noticeably different, with far fewer folks from the community at the event. I was saddened by the fact that I saw almost no Latinos there, but it’s not hard to understand why.
Since President Trump has taken office, we've seen a decrease in participation in community events among Hispanic residents that comes from increased fear. This is not just limited to those who are not documented, either. This country is facing a fundamental problem of demonizing Hispanics in the way it is treating all Hispanics.
You can see it in the latest Supreme Court ruling that allows the Trump administration’s use of racial profiling in immigration arrests in places like Los Angeles. We are making it suspicious to have the wrong skin tone, to speak with a heavy accent, to hold the wrong kind of job, or to have the wrong last name.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor rightfully blasted this ruling and policy, who said, "We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low-wage job." She added to the criticism by wondering if too many Americans are unaware of the difference between presidents and kings.
I agree with her that the seizure of anyone based on superficial reasons and expecting them to prove they are not a criminal is wrong and goes against our constitutional guarantees, namely the 4th Amendment. To link ethnicity alone to reasonable suspicion and call that a relevant factor in detaining someone is beyond unfair, and it's no surprise that the trust that once brought Hispanics to our community events is deteriorating. Seeing people who have every right to be here being subjected to interrogation and arrests, even if they are eventually freed, only heightens the fear in their community.
This decision is critical because we've seen an escalation of ICE activity nationwide that will only increase once the agency’s funding grows by leaps and bounds when the new federal budget is enacted on Oct. 1st. Republicans in Congress appropriated roughly $170 billion for immigration enforcement, deportations, and border security. This is a $75 billion increase—nearly 45% more than they previously received.
But what happens when there are even more people who will be subject to arrest? And what started with the “let’s get rid of dangerous criminals” claim has turned out to be a cover-up to mass indiscriminate deportations. While this disproportionately impacts Latino communities, our immigrant communities are not made up of Latinos alone, they include neighbors from every corner of the world. We are the most diverse county in the entire nation. Attacks on our immigrant neighbors are an attack on our entire community. We must call out the injustice of these actions.
This climate of fear and intimidation is also targeting Black communities. It was horrifying to learn this week that Trump is now proposing to remove road markers and statues that reflect our nation’s cruel history of slavery.
You must know your history to understand where we are as a nation. It plays a vital role in helping everyone comprehend present-day societal issues. This is not about guilt-tripping people; the underpinnings of racism in this country predate any of us alive today. But what is needed is an understanding of how our past has affected something as basic as whether or not families had the opportunities to build wealth, to be economically successful, or just be free enough to go about their business without having to think about how white people feel about having them here.
As a white person, I know full well that I never had to think about what someone thinks about me when I walk into a store, apply for a job, or speak on a subject because of the color of my skin. Imagine what it’s like if you did those things and all the while had to be conscious of what a person might be thinking about you just because you're Black. Trump and his cronies laid that out pretty clearly when they said that when seeing a person of color or a woman in a position of authority, they assume they didn’t get there by merit but are there because of wokeness.
Whitewashing our history and blinding future generations to past injustices is wrong and ineffective. And as a former schoolteacher of history, this is antithetical to the purpose of education and us learning our history. This is a new form of resurrecting Jim Crow laws in our society.
This is a sad time for America, and while we can’t control what the federal government is doing, Montgomery County remains committed to equity, creating opportunities, ensuring safety, and upholding fairness and dignity for all.
I know you care about this too, and it is good to find opportunities to support and help.
I joined my friend Representative Jamie Raskin and many others in Silver Spring Thursday night to greet the We Are America March participants. They are a coalition of grassroots organizations and faith-based groups intending to send a message to the establishment in D.C. by leading a march from Independence Hall in Philadelphia to the Capitol.
One of my favorite parts of being County Executive in Montgomery County is that we are a community that refuses to stay silent in the face of injustice. We are not afraid of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We embrace them because they make us stronger. This week, we also celebrated a ray of hope — our Latino leaders who, despite difficult times, continue to shine as examples of resilience and collective action. Their strength reminds us that even in moments of fear, our community can rise together.
At a time when national policies sometimes seek to divide us, Montgomery County will continue to stand for inclusion and justice. If you’d like to help, reach out to the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center and volunteer. You can also support the local efforts to protect historical accuracy and support International Underground Railroad Month. Visit Montgomery has featured many of these sites in this update.
Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Expiring Sept. 30
I have been an electric vehicle (EV) driver since about 2013, and I have enjoyed it: how quiet they ride, the performance, and most importantly, the savings from fuel costs. For a long time, being an EV owner came with challenges. It was sometimes difficult with the lack of charging stations and range after a charge. The number of charging stations significantly increased under the Biden Administration with the help of the Inflation Reduction Act. Also, today’s EVs have a range of at least 200 and up to 300 miles on a full charge.
For over a decade, the benefits of federal EV tax credits have helped push sales and the number of people who have traded their traditional vehicle for a plug-in version. Those incentives have grown to $7,500 for new cars and $4,000 for used vehicles, but the assistance is ending Sept. 30.
The sunset of this program is a direct result of the Trump administration’s "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." It reduces clean energy incentives and wrecks a program that is working to change habits and produce a greener future.
But just as bad – whether it is EVs, solar panels, or windmills – this nation is also ceding market share of renewable energy technologies to foreign countries, especially China. You can see global EV sales in the graphic above. Please note that the light and dark blue sections are China, the green is Europe, and the yellow is the United States. It’s sad to see how far behind the rest of the world we are today, divesting in federal EV programs hurts our ability to gain market share. Stifling clean energy solutions like EVs and windmills and pushing gas vehicles. harms domestic car companies in global markets–the rest of the world is doubling down on EVs and clean energy while we are walking away.
The U.S. has fallen out of sync with most of the world because our oil and gas companies have disproportionate sway over political decisions. The Biden Administration understood the fossil fuel influence, which is why the last administration invested so much in renewable technologies to catch up. But now, we are going backward with the Trump Administration. The end of the EV tax credits is just another attack on technologies that threaten fossil fuel company profits, and it prevents American companies from being competitive in global economic markets.
To take advantage of the EV incentives before the deadline, EV users should be aware of the following:
- Purchase or lease and take delivery of the vehicle before the end of September.
- The credit is non-refundable, meaning it can only reduce a taxpayer's tax liability and won't result in a refund beyond that amount.
- This change will also end the transfer credit that dealerships can offer resellers of EV vehicles.
- Dealers have the best information about maximizing the credit, so it’s a good idea to talk to them directly.
Montgomery County has led the State in the switch to EVs, with 31% of Maryland's registered plug-in vehicles owned or leased by Montgomery County residents. We have at least 40,000 plug-in EVs in Montgomery County and have worked to increase EV adoption through the EV Purchasing Co-op Dealership Incentives program and infrastructure development.
You can also learn about EVs at Poolesville Day on Saturday. Read more about Poolesville Day here and below in this letter.
We have been installing EV chargers in public parking garages and transforming the County’s fleet to EVs by buying only zero-emission vehicles when we need to replace County sedans. I believe this is still the best way forward to help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and choose a sustainable way forward. I hope those with an EV continue discussing the benefits of getting away from gas guzzlers. I know it’s a change I don’t regret making.
Our Department of Environmental Protection has been helping residents and area companies add charging stations to shopping centers, apartment complexes, and neighborhoods. Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/dep and look for our sections on Electric Vehicle Incentives and Zero-Emission Vehicles.
Electrifying Montgomery County with Grants from the Maryland Energy Administration
I’m pleased that Montgomery County secured over $2 million in competitive grants from the Maryland Energy Administration. The money will help us expand clean energy efforts, improve efficiency in County buildings, and add new electric vehicle charging stations.
Projects tied to this grant money include solar canopies and EV chargers at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, upgrades to lighting in County facilities and parking lots, and making the Holiday Park Senior Center our first net-zero County facility.
These projects alone will reduce electricity use by nearly 1 million kilowatt-hours annually, generate more than 1,000 kilowatts of clean energy, and save the County at least $214,000 yearly in energy costs.
Beyond those benefits, LED light installations in County parking garages will improve safety, provide customer access to our business districts, and generate revenue that helps maintain those areas.
Our continuing work to make this a greener County will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save taxpayer dollars, and create healthier communities.
I want to thank Governor Moore, the Maryland Energy Administration, and our County departments for collaborating on innovative and creative ways to advance better energy solutions. Working together shows how local government can lead to sustainability and bring tangible benefits back to our residents.
Celebrating Poolesville Day this Saturday
This weekend the town of Poolesville and many of its neighboring communities will celebrate a tradition that began more than 20 years ago. Poolesville Day is an all-day event for families, civic organizations, and anyone looking for fun.
This year’s traditional parade will honor Brenda Murther, who has been an active volunteer for many organizations for more than 50 years, who will serve as the grand marshal. Her leadership with the Girl Scouts, the creation of Camp Sunshine, her long service to St. Mary’s Church, and her decades of volunteering at the local thrift store reflect the values that make Montgomery County such a special place. She has dedicated much of her life to supporting young people, and we are all better for her example of service and kindness.
Poolesville Green has been a big champion of EVs, and this Saturday, they will be hosting an EV event as part of Poolesville Day. It’s great fun to check out the different electric vehicles. I appreciate Poolesville’s efforts to spread the word about EVs.
I’ll be there for the Poolesville Day breakfast and am pleased that we will also be joined by Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. Community events like this help strengthen the ties that bind us together as neighbors. You can expect a 5K run, local businesses out in support of the event, music, agricultural demonstrations, and health screenings.
I encourage residents from across Montgomery County to visit Poolesville on Saturday and enjoy the celebration.
Burtonsville Day this Weekend and Other East County Investments
This Saturday, I will also be walking in the Burtonsville Day parade. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. and the fun continues with a festival from 11 to 3 p.m., complete with live music, good food, and a packed list of vendors.
This annual community festival celebrates East County’s heritage and diversity while emphasizing our unity as neighbors and friends. It may be called Burtonsville Day, but that also encompasses the community spirit of Hillandale, White Oak, Briggs Chaney, Colesville, Cloverly, and Spencerville.
Before I became County Executive, I heard the frustration from East County residents. Plans were discussed, but development stalled out before we saw any fundamental changes. That was the old narrative. Today, we have many examples of progress in East County over the last few years.
We listened to the community when it called for the redevelopment of the Burtonsville Crossing shopping center and helped set up what should be the most significant development in the history of East County with Viva White Oak. We’ve prioritized higher education by assisting Montgomery College’s expansion in East County and laying the roadmap for a fourth campus there, too. Other significant additions include Adventist Medical Center, a 230-room hospital, White Oak Town Center improvements, and the Hillandale Gateway Development.
Redevelopment in East County helps all of Montgomery County. Saturday allows everyone to celebrate these wins and unite around the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Rec Center. I hope to see you there.
Promoting Maryland’s New Vaccine FAQ Page
As respiratory illnesses begin to force people to stay home sick, I want to highlight a significant move made by the Maryland Department of Health.
It is now sharing a COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions page on Maryland.gov. It will take visitors through medical guidelines for receiving an updated vaccine and different scenarios they may encounter with a medical provider or a pharmacist.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is updating its guidance for COVID-19 vaccines, which has left many people searching for answers to questions about how to protect themselves. Talk to your health care provider about your eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine season is already underway, and we have seen COVID-19 cases rise as more people return to school. Thankfully, many people have recovered without the need for a hospital visit. I encourage you to ask your doctor if getting a vaccine is right for you because it remains your best protection against severe disease.
Luisa F. Cardona Confirmed, Becomes Newest Assistant Chief Administrative Officer
I want to introduce you to someone many in Mid-County already know well.
Luisa F. Cardona was confirmed this week by the County Council and is now one of three assistant chief administrative officers serving the County. Luisa is taking over the role that was vacated with the retirement of Sonia Mora.
Previously, Luisa was the director of our Mid-County Regional Services office and did incredible work in that community. She joined me for my weekly media briefing and shared a bit about her time serving MidCounty, which you can watch here.
Celebrating African Heritage Month
Last week, the County honored our bonds with the African community by recognizing African Heritage Month. This celebration has been a proud tradition for 17 years and speaks to the strength and vibrancy of our African community.
More than 63,000 Montgomery County residents were born in Africa. They are business owners, educators, scientists, and community leaders. They help make us one of the most diverse counties in the nation.
African history is not separate from American history—it is at the core of it. Too often, that history has been overlooked or minimized. But we know that this country's story —its labor, growth, and culture—could not exist without the contributions of Africans and their descendants.
‘Community Conversations’ Continue About FY27 Operating Budget
Finally, I want to thank the Up-County community for participating in the "Community Conversations" about the FY27 Operating Budget held last week at the Black Rock Center for the Arts. People came in person and participated online to ask questions about the County’s plans for community improvements in the Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Montgomery Village areas.
Our next forum will start at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Silver Spring Civic Center Building at 1 Veterans Place in the Fenton Room. This budget forum is geared toward older adults and is being held in partnership with The Beacon. This forum will only be available in person. Please make plans to attend if you are interested in providing feedback about the County's next operating budget and how it pertains to older residents or your neighborhood
All “Community Conversations” are also televised live on the County cable station County Cable Montgomery, which can be seen on Comcast (Channel 6 and High-Definition Channel 996), RCN (Channel 6 and HD 1056) and Verizon (Channel 30). If you can’t make it to one of the Community Conversations but would like to participate in the process, submit your question to me directly.
Rosh Hashanah is Next Week
Next week marks the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, a celebration of the Jewish New Year and the first of several Jewish holidays this fall.
Shanah Tovah to all who are celebrating, I wish you all a sweet and happy New Year. I hope that you’re able to celebrate safely with loved ones and enjoy this time together with friends and family.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
