Dear Friends,
Unthinkable but true. With the federal government shut down, we are likely facing the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning tomorrow (Nov. 1). Congress built in a contingency for this scenario and funded it. However, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are refusing to use those available funds to ensure that the most vulnerable among us have access to food.
On Friday afternoon, the courts attempted to intervene and compel the federal government to continue funding SNAP benefits, at least on a partial basis. We will likely not know if or how quickly the administration will comply with this ruling until next week. For the latest on the situation, follow the live news feed on CNN.
This week, Governor Moore declared a State of Emergency and allocated $10 million to help food banks and community organizations across the State. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced that Maryland joined more than two dozen states and cities in suing the federal government to ensure these vital benefits continue.
The actions of our governor and attorney general are crucial in addressing this unprecedented national emergency that cuts off food to those most in need. While the Trump administration argues there is no money, the lawsuit correctly asserts a legal obligation to provide this essential help, regardless of a shutdown.
I also want to commend the County Council for working with our team to propose a $7.75 million special appropriation to help Montgomery County residents and nonprofits in navigating this crisis.
That funding will:
- Provide $3.5 million to the County’s Office of Food Systems Resilience to support food assistance efforts for residents impacted by the shutdown. We work closely with more than 60 food assistance providers to address hunger issues.
- Direct $1 million to the Short-Term Housing and Resolution Program (SHARP) to help residents facing homelessness.
- Support nonprofits through $2.25 million in community grants to offset delayed or lost federal funds and build long-term capacity.
- Invest $500,000 in economic development through the MOVE program to help small businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Provide $500,000 to the Montgomery County Pride Center, which remains the County’s only comprehensive provider of LGBTQIA+ services.
- SNAP helps families buy the necessary food they cannot otherwise afford.
- The average family relying on SNAP receives less than $200 per month.
- The money helps mostly working families maintain their health by providing money for nutrition.
- Currently, more than 68,000 Montgomery County residents are enrolled in SNAP, including over 29,000 children.
We must be honest: there is simply no way for the County to supplant all the federal funding that we will lose if Congress or the courts do not intervene. However, Montgomery County provides a stronger social safety net than most other jurisdictions in our state and region.
Adding together grant assistance, direct funding to providers like Manna Food Center, support for food hubs, and school-based help, the County already provides more than $23 million to help our most vulnerable.
To support food assistance organizations that the County partners with, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/foodhelp. You can also visit the County’s Volunteer Center and search for opportunities to donate your time. Heather Bruskin, the director of OFSR, shared important information on Fox 5 this week. You can watch that segment with this link: fox5dc.com/video/1732100.
Montgomery County Earns ‘Triple-A’ Bond Rating for 53rd Consecutive Year
Despite numerous challenges we’ve faced this year due to federal government decisions, we have outstanding news regarding the County’s financial health. This week, Montgomery County received the highest possible bond ratings from all three major credit rating agencies. Moody’s Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings have each reaffirmed our County’s top-tier Triple-A credit standing for 2025. This accomplishment continues Montgomery County's unmatched record of sound management and fiscal excellence.
Out of the over 3,000 counties in the United States, fewer than 2%—approximately 50 counties—earn this distinction for strong fiscal governance. In their analysis, the agencies commended our County’s:
- Broad and diverse economy with Moody’s Ratings noting, “Its 2024 reserve position of 28% of revenue is a record high and was generated through conservative budgeting and strong revenue performance.”
- Strong financial policies with S&P Global Ratings finding, “Robust financial planning that compares favorably with regional and national peers, along with a predictable revenue profile, [which creates] financial results that largely outperform the budget.”
- Commitment to long-term fiscal sustainability, with Fitch saying, “Montgomery County’s ‘AAA’ IDR and GO bond rating reflects the County’s ‘AAA’ financial resilience assessment. The assessment is based on the County’s ‘ample’ budgetary flexibility and Fitch’s expectation that it will maintain unrestricted general fund reserves equal to at least 7.5% of total spending.”
Saying Goodbye to a Dedicated Firefighter
The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service mourned the loss of a longtime member this week. Firefighter Christopher Kindel died earlier this month from cancer. Firefighter Kindel was a Marine before serving our community for 26 years. He was most recently stationed in Upper Montgomery, following stints in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We thank Christopher and his family for the immense sacrifices they made to help keep our community safe.
Preparing for Leaf Season and Environmental Compliance
Fall is beautiful in Montgomery County, and we will be at peak foliage over the next two weeks. You can track the best places to view the changing leaves with the help of Visit Montgomery. As those leaves begin to fall, it is essential to review the best practices for leaves. Allowing leaves to stay where they fall can be a simple and more environmentally friendly way to manage fall cleanup.
Fallen leaves are a valuable resource for soil and wildlife. They naturally fertilize lawns and gardens, retain moisture, insulate roots, and provide winter shelter for many small creatures.
Property owners and renters can save time and money by following these tips to manage leaves in their lawns and gardens:
- Compost leaves at home to create free fertilizer for your garden.
- Mow leaves into lawns throughout the fall months to improve the soil.
- Rake leaves under trees and into garden beds for natural mulch and wildlife habitat.
To learn more, visit the Department of Environmental Protection website to find a compost bin pickup location, and subscribe to My Green Montgomery for tips on "leaf-ing" a green life in Montgomery County.
If you are raking leaves, please take steps to keep leaves away from storm drains by not leaving them in the road. Leaves complicate storm runoff, especially during the winter, which can lead to clogged pipes and flooding issues. To help prevent frozen leaves from becoming a problem, the County collects leaves stored in reusable containers or paper lawn bags.
In certain areas, the County’s Department of Transportation runs the Vacuum Leaf Collection Program. You can search the program’s website with your zip code to learn when they are coming to your neighborhood. If you receive this service, please rake leaves to the curb, but always keep the piles out of the street.
Roadside leaf collection begins on Monday, Nov. 10, utilizing 15 crews, 60 leaf vacuum trucks, and 250 staff. Mailers detailing yard trim and leaf collection have already been sent out. This information can be reviewed on the attached flyer.
Honoring Maryland Emancipation Day
This weekend, residents have several opportunities to help understand and pay tribute to Maryland Emancipation Day. The holiday commemorates the ratification of the Maryland Constitution of 1864 on Nov. 1. It was the day that Maryland officially ended the institution of slavery and emancipated all those still held in bondage.
The impact was profound, particularly in Southern Maryland, where over 33,000 enslaved people lived. Around the time of the Civil War, the four counties of Southern Maryland had a greater number of Black residents than white residents. When the war began in 1861, Maryland was designated a “free state” because it did not secede from the Union, unlike the other Confederate states. President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which took effect on Jan. 1, 1863, only applied to the seceding states. Consequently, Maryland landowners were able to continue the practice of enslavement well into the war.
Maryland’s enslaved people had several critical paths to freedom. Many fled to Washington, where slaves were freed in 1862, while others turned to federal troops stationed here to protect the Capitol. Maryland formed several regiments of Black soldiers as the war continued. A training center was established in Southern Maryland, at Camp Stanton in Benedict, which opened in October 1863.
You can find out about the various events planned on the Visit Montgomery website at Maryland Emancipation Day Celebrations - Visit Montgomery.
As we reflect on Nov. 1, 1864, let us honor the immense courage and determination of those who secured their freedom through resistance, flight, and ballot boxes. The fight now is for equity, reconciliation, and social justice because the impacts of slavery and racism continue to this day in Maryland and in Montgomery County.
Daylight Saving Time Safety Reminder
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. We will fall back an hour, adding an extra hour to the weekend.
As time changes, the critical issue is safety on our roads. It will now get darker earlier. Please remember to:
- Slow down.
- Increase your following distance.
- Turn your headlights on at dawn and dusk.
Finally, when you set your clocks back one hour, please take the opportunity to check your carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors and change them, too. Daylight Saving Time returns on March 8, 2026.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
