MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: “Over the weekend we learned about new antisemitic incidents of hate and intolerance in our County. The first took place at three MCPS schools and the other in a neighborhood in Kensington. For several months, we’ve seen and responded to hate speech being spread across our community in the form of graffiti and flyers dropped off in neighborhoods in a cowardly manner while many of us sleep. Last night flyers were left in the Kensington area targeting several Jewish families. Police are investigating the incident and, as with each incident before, we intend to prosecute any hate crime to the fullest extent of the law. If you have information that could help the investigation you’re encouraged to contact 240.773.TIPS (8477.)

On Saturday, we learned about 3 separate incidents in which swastikas were drawn into desks last week in Montgomery County Public Schools. MCPS leaders tell us the incidents were reported, the people responsible identified and punishment administered.

The Economic Development (ECON) Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. to receive a presentation from the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) on economic development strategies that have been determined to establish and maintain a business-friendly environment in the County. In addition, the committee will receive a briefing from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) on the County’s economic indicators. The members of the ECON Committee include Chair Natali Fani-González, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles.

The Education and Culture (EC) Committee will also meet at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Monthly Financial Reports and receive an update on the MCPS Requested FY24 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The members of the EC Committee include Chair Will Jawando and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Kristin Mink.

Per Montgomery County: Today, the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement condemning the drawings of swastikas found at three separate Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

“We are once again saddened and disgusted at the displays of hate targeting the Jewish community at three Montgomery County schools. 

Per Montgomery County: The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:

The Council will receive testimony on the FY24 Capital Budget and amendments to the FY23-28 CIP for County Government, MCPS, Montgomery College, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Washington Suburban Transit Commission, Revenue Authority, Housing Opportunities Commission, and municipality and State projects and the FY24-29 CIP for WSSCWater. The Council will also receive testimony on supplemental appropriations to the FY23 Capital Budget as listed below:

“Dear Friends,

With a new year comes an opportunity to change things up from what you have come to expect each week. In the video link that is part of our weekly Montgomery Update newsletter, we have a bit of a different approach. This week, County Chief Administration Officer Richard Madaleno and I talk about the just released recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Capital budget.

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will host its 10th Annual Energy Summit over two days on Tuesday, March 28, and Wednesday, March 29, at the at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The Summit will be presented by the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and will focus on preparing the commercial building sector for compliance with the County’s energy benchmarking and building energy performance standards, as well as educating building owners about cost-cutting opportunities and programs. Since 2013, the Summit has offered cutting-edge education and workshops focused on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy and related commercial, multifamily and residential topics.

New this year will be the featured “Innovation Alley,” a display of innovative products and services available to the commercial and multifamily building sector to aid in building energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, building decarbonization, healthy buildings and zero-emission vehicles. Exhibitors interested in participating should submit an expression of interest on the Energy Summit website by Wednesday, Feb. 1.

RainScape is a landscape or design technique that helps reduce stormwater runoff from individual properties. They include: