Shop Maryland Energy Tax-Free Weekend to Save on New ENERGY STAR Appliances

During Presidents’ Day weekend, shoppers across Maryland will get a break from the state’s 6 percent sales tax on qualifying ENERGY STAR products. Shop Maryland Energy (February 18-20) is a statewide sales tax holiday that highlights the importance of energy efficient appliances to the environment and residents’ pocketbooks.

Eligible ENERGY STAR appliances and lighting include: air conditioners, clothes washers, clothes dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, standard-size refrigerators, LED light bulbs, dehumidifiers, boilers and programmable thermostats. For a full list of exempt items visit, Shop Energy Maryland. Residents using the weekend to upgrade appliances may have the advantage of additional rebates to recycle old appliances, such as old working refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners or dehumidifiers. Prior to purchasing new appliances, residents can contact their electric utility to see if they are eligible for rebate and pick up of the old appliance. Each appliance may be eligible for up to $50 in rebates.

During Maryland Energy Tax Free Weekend, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection staff will have informational tables at three County appliance stores to provide residents with energy saving tips and information on local programs and rebates available through utility suppliers, including BGE, Pepco and Potomac Edison:

• Bray and Scarff Bethesda: Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon 6801 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase
• Nolan’s Apache Appliance: Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 13866 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
• Bray and Scarff Rockville: Monday, Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 831C Rockville Pike, Rockville

For more information, go to Shop Energy Maryland website.

Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery Parks Spring Programs Registration to Open on February 13

Spring is right around the corner! Don’t miss out on spring classes and programs with Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery Parks. Registration for spring programs begins February 13 at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org

RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program Offers Free Tax Preparation

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center's RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program is providing free tax preparation assistance available to low-to-moderate income taxpayers who live or work in Montgomery County. Special attention is given to those age 60 and older.

There are 20 locations across Montgomery County where volunteers can assist with simple federal and/or state tax forms. The program begins the second week of February through Tuesday, April 18.

For more information or to schedule an appointment on-line go website or call 240-777-2577.

County Executive Leggett and Department of Technology Services Celebrate Chinese New Year

County Executive Isiah Leggett joined the Department of Technology Services to celebrate Chinese New Year. Members of Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute to celebrate Chinese New Year performed a traditional lion dance that is thought to bring good luck in the new year.

County Executive Ike Leggett Responds to $15 Minimum Wage Bill

After considerable review, County Executive Ike Leggett responded to Bill 12-16, (Human Rights and Civil Liberties – County Minimum Wage Bill) on January 23. Bill 12-16 called for the gradual increase of the County’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020. County Council sent the Minimum Wage Bill to Leggett after approving it in a 5 to 4 vote. Although Leggett supports a movement toward a $15 wage, Leggett cited reservations about the timing, circumstances and conditions of the bill.

In a January 23 memorandum to County Council, Leggett summarized three stipulations necessary for him to fully agree to the bill:

• Be based on an expeditious study on the direct and indirect financial impacts on private employers, non-profits and County government; 
• Include an exemption for small business, the definition of which can be informed by the study; 
• Include an exemption for youth workers; and, 
• Provide for reaching $15 per hour in 2022. 

Please see more at Washington Post on Leggett's strategy. Please click here to view a copy of the County Executive’s memo to the County Council.

Montgomery County Launches Partnership with National Association of Counties to Provide Low-Fee Dental and Select Health Services

County Executive Isiah Leggett and Councilmember George Leventhal announced at a news briefing on January 12, that Montgomery County will begin participating in the National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy program.

Montgomery County has offered NACo’s free prescription discount program (Montgomery RX) since 2004. This has saved residents more than $32 million on the cost of prescription medications. This new enhanced program provides residents with low-fee dental discounts on such services as check-ups, cleanings, fillings, crowns and more. The low-fee health discount program provides discounts on vision services, hearing aids and screenings, diabetes supplies and more.

For more information on how to participate go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/live-healthy or Watch video about the program.

Leggett Announces Capital Construction Budget: Full Funding for School Needs, Resources to Rapid Transit, White Oak Redevelopment, South County Rec & Aquatic Center, Core Infrastructure

County Executive Ike Leggett released his recommended Fiscal Year 18 Capital Budget and amendments to the six-year FY17-22 Capital Improvements Program on January 12. The budget recommends over $2 billion for education, including $1.73 billion for the Montgomery County Public Schools, the highest funding level ever provided, as well as $332 million for Montgomery College.

For more information, visit reports.data.montgomerycountymd.gov/cip.

Leggett will release his proposed operating budget on March 14.

County Executive Ike Leggett Joins Thousands of Residents in Community Service Projects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

County Executive Ike Leggett and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority work on a community service project
 at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

More than 3,000 volunteers across Montgomery County pitched in to help make our community a better place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The annual event, organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center and many other partnering agencies, featured a wide range of family-friendly service projects at locations throughout the County. 

Projects included everything from packaging food for the hungry and making dog toys for an animal shelter to creating blankets for hospices and crafting appreciation cards for military troops.

Montgomery County’s Office of Human Rights Co-Sponsors Maryland Civil Rights Educational Freedom Experience

Registration is open for the Maryland Civil Rights Educational Freedom Experience that will retrace the steps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights heroes. The tour is hosted by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Public Libraries, the African American Employees Association, the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The trip will take place April 8 through April 16, which corresponds with Montgomery County Public Schools spring break.

Highlights on the tour include the Birth Home Museum of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; the new National Center for Civil and Human Rights; the Civil Rights Memorial Museum; the International Civil Rights Center and Museum; the Rosa Parks Museum; the Freedom Rides Museum; the National Voting Rights Museum; the famed Sixteenth Street Baptist Church; the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge; the Central High School, Fisk University, Medgar Evers’ Home and the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel.

For registration, itinerary and information on the cost of the tour, visit County website.

Takoma Park to Hold Community Teach-In On its Sanctuary City Status and Commitment

The City of Takoma Park and several community organizations will host a public forum, Takoma Park: Sanctuary City — Then & Now on Saturday, February 4 at 3 p.m. The program will explore the City’s 30-year-old Sanctuary ordinance and its amendments, and will underscore the City’s ongoing commitment to protect its immigrant residents under the letter and spirit of the law. Takoma Park is one of 300+ sanctuary jurisdictions throughout the nation.

Sanctuary City Flyer by Public Information Office on Scribd

For more information:

• Press release
• Sanctuary City Flyer
• Sanctuary Cities and Community Policing
• Takoma Park Sanctuary City Ordinance Ch 9.04