County Executive Ike Leggett Testifies Before the Maryland Senate Budget & Tax Committee

Montgomery County has welcomed nearly 3000 new students to the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) the last couple of years. To effectively address this enrollment growth, Leggett testified before the Maryland Senate Budget & Tax Committee to underscore the need for increased state funding for MCPS capital projects.

Leggett emphasized the challenges of the enrollment growth and the deterioration of buildings as key reasons for the need of increased capital funding from the state. The requested state funds are necessary for ongoing maintenance and necessary updates and to provide for capacity of projected enrollments over the next decade.

Montgomery County Council Reschedules Town Hall Meeting for Clarksburg Area

The Montgomery County Council will meet with residents of the County’s fastest-growing community when it hosts a Town Hall Meeting for Clarksburg starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2. The meeting will be held at Rocky Hill Middle School located at 22401 Brick Haven Way in Clarksburg, just off of Route 355. A pre-meeting reception will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Council originally planned to host the Town Hall Meeting on January 27, but postponed the meeting following the snow storm that hit the County that week.

Five-Day Delegation to Cuba

Donating a baseball to school children in Old Havana Tuesday morning

Montgomery County officials, including County Executive Ike Leggett and Councilmembers Roger Berliner and Nancy Navarro are on a five-day delegation mission to Cuba.

The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce organized the trip to be a historical regional exploratory mission to lay the groundwork for future relationships, promote greater cultural ties and build potential economic and business interests in Cuba. The mission will also serve as a platform to share best practices and showcase the Washington metropolitan area’s strengths in transportation, tourism, health and education.

Members are meeting with Cuban government officials, including Havana Mayor Marta Hernández Romero, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz. They will also speak with U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis about U.S. diplomacy in Cuba and economic opportunities for regional businesses in Havana.

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Understanding the Zika Virus

In Montgomery County, the Zika virus infection is something to be aware of but not alarmed by. The Department of Health and Human Services has collected important information to help you understand what is known about the virus, how it is spread and ways to protect yourself. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/zika.

Montgomery County Has Joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s Standard Energy Efficiency Data (SEED) Platform™

Montgomery County announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a Standard Energy Efficiency Data (SEED) Platform ™ partner. This partnership will assist the Department of Energy in their efforts to collect and manage building energy data. Other partners include: Atlanta, Berkeley, Cambridge, the California Energy Commission, Houston, Kansas City, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C.

Montgomery County is the first county in the nation to pass a building energy benchmarking and transparency law. The SEED Collaborative three-year partnership with Montgomery County will provide support to collect, clean and manage data from different sources across the County’s large building portfolio. The County will receive assistance with the initial setup and implementation of the SEED Platform™, ongoing technical support, business process support, complimentary hosting services, and access to a peer community of users and developers to share feedback and solutions. Read here for more information on SEED Platform™ press release.

Get ALL Your Money and Financial Education Resources

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a possible refundable tax credit for people who worked in 2015. The federal credit ranges from $2 to $6,242. Eligibility and credit amount depends on income, family size, and other factors. The State of Maryland offers an Earned Income Tax Credit, matched by Montgomery County's Working Families Income Supplement to eligible residents.

For more information on financial education, and resources for free assistance with tax preparation go to montgomerycountymd.gov/cashback.

Spring is in the air at Montgomery County Recreation

Registration for the Recreation Department's spring programs is now open. Programming options include a wide variety of classes and programs intended to help participants stay active and have fun. Offerings include creative arts, aquatics, sports, therapeutic recreation services and active adult senior programming. For online registration or to view the programming guide online, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

Department of Transportation Shares a new Vision for Transportation in Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed a strategic vision to effectively and efficiently connect people of all ages, incomes and abilities with the best transportation choices and services. The progressive framework aims to shape a rapid, safe, accessible, efficient, transportation system which bridges residents to home, work. school, recreation, entertainment and services.

Read more about the DOT vision.

BEWARE! SCAM Phone Calls AGAIN Demand Money to Prevent Arrest

Telephone scammers are using the guise of a sheriff’s deputy to extort people into sending money to avoid arrest. Recently, over 50 residents reported receiving a scam telephone call requesting money or credit card information. The caller, falsely claiming to be from the sheriff's office, says a warrant has been issued and will be served unless money is paid. The caller has also left voice mail messages with a call-back number that is answered by a realistic law enforcement sounding recorded announcement.

Residents are warned to never provide unsolicited callers with credit card or bank information. Deputy Sheriffs will never call and threaten arrest or demand payment.

For more information see MC Sheriff's website.

Free Employment Expo for Adults 50 and Older

The 50+ Employment Expo will be held on April 4 at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda.

Recruiters from dozens of employers, including nonprofits, government, healthcare, retail technology and more will attend the expo. In addition, there will be seminars and continuing education sessions available to assist with things such as completing applications, resume preparation, changing careers, job training, website lists and more.

There is free parking and easy access via the Metro Redline to the White Flint Station. For more information go to 50+ Employment Expo website.