MoCo Government Archives - Page 113 of 241

MoCo Councilmember Will Jawando Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race

Published October 20, 2023 at 9:16AM

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando announced today that he is dropping out of the U.S. Senate race. Jawando announced in May that he was launching a campaign for the U.S. Senate after Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland’s senior senator and Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his term. Jawando’s full statement can be seen below (including a video):

“We are all living through such uncertain times. War is raging in the Middle East and Ukraine. Everyday Americans are not sure whether they can afford to keep a roof over their head or food on the table. Our Congress is meeting crisis with chaos and is paralyzed by far-right extremists. MAGA Republicans keep trying to elevate hard right election deniers to Speaker all while marching lockstep behind Donald Trump, a man who is running for president on a platform of revenge in a party that welcomes that with open arms. Now more than ever we need strong Democratic voices in the Senate. That’s why I got into this race.

Anti-Hate Task Force to Hold a Virtual Meeting on October 26

By Patrick Herron

Published October 19, 2023 at 4:38PM

The Anti-Hate Task Force was formally adopted through a resolution with unanimous support in June. The task force is made up of community and faith leaders working to engage the community and develop recommendations to inform policies that promote safety and combat hate crimes in Montgomery County.

Cohort groups representing the Jewish, Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic and Muslim communities will present their policy recommendations at meetings throughout the fall. Each of the six cohort groups may also hold listening sessions to provide an opportunity for the public to engage and provide input.

Montgomery County Leaders to Hold Press Conference Calling on the Owners of the Enclave Apartments to Make Overdue Improvements;

By Patrick Herron

Published October 19, 2023 at 10:11AM

Per Montgomery County: “Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink (District 5), County Executive Marc Elrich, and Maryland State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian will join the newly formed Enclave Tenants Association at their first press conference, calling on the owners of the Enclave Silver Spring Apartments to make overdue improvements.

The tenants association, a group of nearly 150 residents, is demanding the resolution of longstanding maintenance and safety issues and code violations at the White Oak property, which has been on Montgomery County’s list of troubled and at-risk properties for years because of extensive code violations. The property owners continue to be cited on a regular basis by Montgomery County and state regulators.

Montgomery County: Best Places to Explore Fall Foliage

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 6:25PM

Per Montgomery County: “One of the highlights of the fall season is watching the leaves on the trees change from the vibrant green of summer to an array of red, orange and yellow splendor. Visit Montgomery wants people to know that a trip to New England or through the Shenandoah Mountains is not necessary because a day trip around the County will provide a season’s worth of great sights.

Peak color in Montgomery County is traditionally estimated to be from now through the end of October and areas of the County are moving toward their full fall colors. With more than 250 miles of trails throughout the County, it is easy to get outside and have an adventure at any skill level. Find more trails using the Moco Trail Guide and then grab a craft drink along the Tastemakers Trail. Here are some of the best places in the County to explore fall foliage:

Community Overdose Action Town Hall Set for Thursday, November 2 in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 3:00PM

The town hall will also be livestreamed on County Cable Montgomery and on several Facebook accounts, including Maryland’s Before Its Too Late and DHHS.

Montgomery County Council Committee Meetings on Oct. 18, 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 6:53PM | Updated October 17, 2023 at 7:10PM

Per Montgomery County: The ad-hoc Executive Director Recruitment Committee will meet in a proposed closed session on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. to evaluate the role and responsibilities of the Council’s executive director position and make decisions about the recruitment process. The members of the ad-hoc Executive Director Recruitment Committee include Council President Evan Glass, Chair Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Kate Stewart, Marilyn Balcombe and Kristin Mink.

The joint Public Safety (PS) and Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee will meet at 2 p.m. to review a $350,000 supplemental appropriation to the FY24 Operating Budget for the Drone as First Responder Pilot Program within the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The members of the GO Committee include Chair Stewart, Council Vice President Friedson and Councilmember Sidney Katz. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Mink.

As Veterans Day Approaches on Saturday, Nov. 11, Montgomery County Joins ‘Operation Green Light,’ Several Solemn Ceremonies Will Be Held and Additions Sought for Tribute to County Veterans

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 5:25PM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council are supporting Operation Green Light, a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties to honor those who have made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom. The program asks for displays of a green light, from Nov. 6-12, in a window of businesses or residences to honor veterans.

Fight Breaks Out Before Public Hearing on Restaurant Tips

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 5:09PM

At the hearing, proponents of Bill 35-23 said it would reduce wage theft and help working families, while opponents of the bill said it would lower profits, increase prices for customers, and reduce the income that tipped employees currently earn. The bill would adjust the calculation of the minimum wage for tipped workers and phase out the tip credit amount under the Montgomery County’s minimum wage law. Currently, businesses are required to pay servers $4.00 per hour; if a server does not make the current minimum hourly wage ($15-16.70) per hour, employers are required to make up the difference.

If the bill passes, there will be incremental increases over the next five years:
• $4.00 per hour, until July 1, 2024;
• $6.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2024 until July 1, 2025;
• $8.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2025 until July 1, 2026;
• $10.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2026 until July 1, 2027; and
• $12.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2027 until July 1, 2028

Tipped Workers to Speak at Public Hearing on Bill Proposing to End Tip Credit and Increase Wages for Tipped Employees

By Patrick Herron

Published October 16, 2023 at 3:47PM

The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing on Bill 35-23, County Minimum Wage – Tipped Employees on Tuesday, October 17 at 1:30pm. Workers from restaurants and other tipped professions are expected to weigh in on the bill, which would adjust the calculation of the minimum wage for tipped workers and phase out the tip credit amount under the Montgomery County’s minimum wage law. Currently, businesses are required to pay servers $4.00 per hour; if a server does not make the current minimum hourly wage ($15-16.70) per hour, employers are required to make up the difference.

The bill’s lead sponsors are Councilmembers Will Jawando and Kristin Mink. Per Montgomery County, “The tip credit represents an amount of the minimum wage a worker is expected to receive in tips. The current amount of the credit is the hourly minimum wage minus four dollars or a lesser credit if the employee or representative of the employee satisfies the Executive Director of the Office of Human Rights that the employee receives a lesser amount in tips. The limit and phase-out of the tip credit would be staggered over multiple years as proposed in the legislation.”

Interesting Facts About Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve

By MCS Staff

Published October 15, 2023 at 8:12PM

One-third of Montgomery County, or 93,000 acres, is designated as the Agricultural Reserve. This unique area of contiguous farmland has special characteristics:

Montgomery County’s diverse agricultural industry is home to 558 farms, employs more than 10,000 people, and contributes $281 million to the County’s economy. AG Facts Below:

Statement by Congressman Jamie Raskin: “The Terrorist Attacks on Israel, Israel’s Right of Self-Defense, The Laws of War, Hostage-Taking, and the Protection of Two Million Palestinian Civilians in Gaza”

By Patrick Herron

Published October 15, 2023 at 10:34AM | Updated October 15, 2023 at 11:22AM

On Saturday, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) released the following statement:

“The brutal terrorist operation conducted by Hamas against Israeli civilians over the last week constitutes a mass war crime, a shocking crime against humanity, an illegal invasion of a sovereign country, and the most murderous assault on Jewish civilians since the Holocaust.