MoCo Government Archives - Page 188 of 241

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen Hospitalized After Stroke

Published May 16, 2022 at 7:44AM

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen was hospitalized over the weekend after suffering what he described as a “minor stroke.” Van Hollen was giving a speech in Western Maryland when he began to feel light headed and acute pain in his neck. He was then taken to George Washington University Hospital where the stroke was diagnosed. Before joining the U.S. Senate, Van Hollen represented Maryland’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full statement from Senator Van Hollen: “This weekend, I was admitted to George Washington University Hospital after experiencing lightheadedness and acute neck pain while I was delivering a speech in Western Maryland. At the recommendation of the Attending Physician, I sought medical attention upon my return home. Earlier today, an angiogram indicated that I had experienced a minor stroke in the form of a small venous tear at the back of my head. Fortunately, I have been informed that there are no long-term effects or damage as a result of this incident, but my doctors have advised that out of an abundance of caution I remain under observation for a few days. I look forward to returning to work in the Senate later this week and thank the medical team for their excellent care.”

County Executive Marc Elrich Discusses Current COVID-19 Case Surge, MCPD’s 100th Anniversary, and More in This Week’s Message

By Patrick Herron

Published May 12, 2022 at 10:12PM | Updated May 13, 2022 at 2:35AM

Per MCPD:

Dear Friends,

Montgomery County Helping Low Income Households With Past Due Water Bills

By Patrick Herron

Published May 12, 2022 at 3:09PM

LIHWAP is a one-time benefit grant of $100 – $2,000 that can be paid toward residential water and/or wastewater accounts that have accumulated arrearages. Arrearages must be a minimum of at least $100 and 30 days old to apply. LIHWAP will assist in the payment of arrearages for immediate restoration of residential water and/or wastewater services and/or to prevent the disconnection of service by placing the account back in good standing.

“No one should have to worry about not being able to pay for something as essential as water,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Through these funds, we can relieve some of the pressure that working families are facing and provide greater peace of mind that basic needs are being met. I encourage any Montgomery County family that qualifies to apply today and get the relief you deserve.”

Montgomery County to Launch Fourth Phase of COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, Applications Available Starting May 16

By Patrick Herron

Published May 11, 2022 at 3:20PM

“Addressing the economic impacts of the pandemic will take a sustained and intentional effort by governments at all levels,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want our most vulnerable families that have been negatively affected by COVID-19 to be able to stay in their homes, and this fourth phase of rental relief funds will help us do just that. Thank you to our state and federal partners who have helped our County in this collective work to keep our families whole.”

Funding for this fourth phase comes from U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance funds in direct allocations to the County and as a sub-grantee to the State of Maryland. $78 million in rental assistance has been distributed to approximately 10,500 Montgomery County households in the previous three phases of the program.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Announces New $1 Million Dollar Fund To Ensure Access to Abortion Services

By Patrick Herron

Published May 10, 2022 at 4:47PM

“We live in a time where people’s rights are under attack – from the Supreme Court to the halls of Congress, to State Houses throughout this nation,” said County Executive Elrich. “We must do all we can to protect women’s health and their personal rights. With this allocation of funds, we are helping ensure that any woman who needs assistance will be able to access it. I want to thank our nonprofit partners, doctors, and nurses who are so critical to our efforts. In Montgomery County, we are committed to working in partnership to stand up for all people and will continue to do so.”

“The County Executive’s initiative is in great alignment with the County Council’s resolution on reproductive rights, which I spearheaded,” said County Councilmember Nancy Navarro. “The resolution affirmed our commitment to ensuring that health care organizations that provide reproductive health services have the appropriate supports and capacity to safeguard the reproductive rights of residents in our communities. As the lone woman Councilmember on the Council, I will continue to do all I can to support the County executive and the County Council in doing the right thing – protecting our reproductive rights and safeguarding the welfare of all our residents. I also call on Governor Hogan to support reproductive rights in Maryland by releasing the $3.5 million earmarked by the legislature for training.”

Councilmember Navarro to Host Press Conference on May 10 on Resolution Supporting the Preservation of Reproductive Freedom Under Roe v. Wade

By Patrick Herron

Published May 9, 2022 at 1:44PM

“The potential overturning of Roe v. Wade is outrageous and devastating for all women and a clear violation of women’s rights,” said Councilmember Navarro, who chairs the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee. “This would be a culmination of a coordinated and relentless effort to eliminate hard-fought progress. For decades, I have joined the fight to ensure women’s access to quality and safe reproductive health services.

“In Montgomery County, we need to be prepared to be a beacon for women in need of this potentially life-saving medical treatment. As President Biden said, it is up to the nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to fight for a woman’s right to choose, and we are stepping up to the challenge. It is also up to all of us to use our voice, our vote and our collective power to protect women’s rights.”

Montgomery County Sends Over $4 million in Tax Refund Checks to Homeowners After State Error

By Patrick Herron

Published May 9, 2022 at 10:11AM

Montgomery County has sent out over $4,000,000 in tax refund checks after a tax error by the state of Maryland. The mistake was first discovered by Olney resident Louis Wilen back in 2016, which FOX 5 first reported on in 2020. Maryland had been miscalculating the Homeowner Tax Credit, which is for seniors and low-income residents. Montgomery County has issued over 5,000 checks to homeowners eligible for the $346 senior supplement, according to FOX.

Per Montgomery County, “Homeowner tax credit refunds for the County portion (issued by Montgomery County Treasury Office in Finance), have now been completed and refund checks are being mailed out to taxpayers now. Refunds are being issued because of a State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT) error that was made in the calculations. Checks and letters for the State portion of the refund have already been mailed out to taxpayers from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The refunds cover levy years 2017, 2018 and 2019, however, not all homeowners will receive refunds for all years, it just depends on what the homeowner applied for and were deemed eligible for.”

Montgomery County Supports Preservation of Affordable Housing at Snowden’s Ridge in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Published May 7, 2022 at 10:02AM

The property, located at 2035 Harlequin Terrace, Silver Spring, held its grand reopening celebration Friday. This is APAH’s first property in Montgomery County, as well as the State of Maryland. “Here at Snowden’s Ridge, the County supported preservation of existing affordable housing,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “To expand affordable housing efforts, I proposed $140 million housing budget – the largest in County history – including a dedicated $40 million NOAH fund to preserve affordable housing. Preserving affordability preserves communities and protects families from displacement. We need the $40 million NOAH Fund to protect more residents, as we did here at Snowden’s Ridge.”

The County provided a $1.5 million CDBG loan and $1.25 million HIF loan in 2019 to support the acquisition. When the initial HIF loan was repaid, the property retained the existing CDGB loan and the County provided a new $5 million HIF loan for recapitalization and renovation, along with a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement. The loans and PILOT provided by Montgomery County support affordability, with all 87 apartment units utilizing project-based vouchers targeting families at 30 percent AMI. The property includes 12 one-bedroom units; 21 two-bedroom units; and 54 three-bedroom units. Five units were converted to be fully accessible.

Annual Montgomery County Ride On Bus Food Drive to Run from May 15-22

By Patrick Herron

Published May 6, 2022 at 9:15AM

“We must ensure that no one in Montgomery County goes hungry,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Food insecurity was prevalent before the pandemic hit—and COVID-19 made it even worse. So many people lost jobs and higher food prices continue to make it exceedingly difficult for families to make ends meet. I am grateful to MCDOT and Manna Food Center for this important effort and encourage residents to donate non-perishable food items on all of our buses between May 15 and May 22.”

MCDOT has conducted the food drive for more than 30 years in partnership with Manna Food Center, although the effort was suspended during the two-year COVID-19 health crisis. This year, the food drive also has partnered with Montgomery County Public Libraries and the County’s five Regional Services Centers, which are also taking in non-perishable food donations.

Council Vice President Evan Glass Requests Additional Funding for Expanded Access to Abortions for Montgomery County Residents

By Patrick Herron

Published May 5, 2022 at 10:08AM

On Sunday night, Politico reported that the Supreme Court would be voting to strike down Roe v. Wade, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito. On Wednesday, Council Vice President Evan Glass sent the following letter to County Marc Elrich requesting expanded access to abortions to Montgomery County residents.

County Executive Elrich Urges Residents to Recognize ‘National Correctional Officers and Employees Appreciation Week’

By Patrick Herron

Published May 5, 2022 at 8:48AM

“The last few years have been really hard on our correctional officers and employees,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “They have remained very focused on doing their jobs and committed to keeping themselves and the residents of our jails safe. And this was before we had vaccinations. I appreciate them for their diligence and they continue to play a key role in keeping our County safe. I ask the people of Montgomery County to join me in saluting the officers and employees of MCDCR during National Correctional Officers and Employees Week and encourage everyone to acknowledge what they do to ensure the safety and welfare of our community.”

National Correctional Officer and Employees Week is designed to redefine correctional officers and employees and highlight how their work can change lives. Far too often, correctional system workers do not receive recognition for their role as public safety professionals.