MoCo Government Archives - Page 244 of 247

MoCo Council Introduces Resolution to Replace Maryland State Song

Published July 14, 2020 at 10:25AM

The Montgomery County Council has introduced a resolution to urge Maryland lawmakers to replace “Maryland, My Maryland” as the state song and discourage the song from being played at official Montgomery County events.

Per the county, “Our state’s rich and storied history is also plagued by slavery and sympathy towards the Confederacy and successionist movement. The Pratt Street Riots that occurred in Baltimore in 1861 was a bloody confrontation between Union Troops headed to Washington D.C. and confederate sympathizers. James Randall Ryder, to express his opposition towards Union troops, wrote “Maryland, My Maryland” which became widely popular among Confederate America and was later made the state song in 1939 when Maryland was a segregated Jim Crow state.”

Rep. Raskin Will Host Event with Prominent Black activists

By MCS Staff

Published July 2, 2020 at 11:29AM

Rep. Raskin’s Democracy Summer to hold an event with prominent Black activists.

Democracy Summer PAC, founded by Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), is holding a virtual event today (July 2) at 4 PM titled “The Politics of a New Reconstruction.” The left-leaning PAC will invite Reverend William J. Barber II and Bob Moses to speak.

Minimum Wage Increase on July 1

By MCS Staff

Published June 29, 2020 at 11:02AM

The Montgomery County Government announced that the county’s minimum wage will increase starting this Wednesday, July 1. The increase is dependent on the number of employees that each company has:

This is part of a yearly increase from a bill that was signed back in 2017– this bill states that an increase will occur every July 1 until minimum wage reaches $15 an hour in 2022.

Reminder: MD Ballots Due June 2

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2020 at 10:57AM

Maryland’s Primary election will take place on June 2nd, which is this upcoming Tuesday. Here are the ways that you can vote:

1. Mail your ballot. Your ballot does not require any additional postage. It must be postmarked by June 2nd in order to count.

MoCo Council Approves $20 Million Fund for Local Businesses

By MCS Staff

Published March 31, 2020 at 5:37PM

Today the Montgomery County Council approved a $20 million Public Health Emergency Grant Fund to help local businesses and nonprofits pay employees and operating costs during the COVID-19 crisis.

MCPS Teacher to Challenge David Trone For 6th District Nomination

By MCS Staff

Published November 9, 2019 at 9:43PM

MCPS teacher Maxwell Bero (Clarksburg) has announced his run to seek the nomination for Democratic candidate in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, challenging incumbent congressman David Trone.

Bero is currently a social studies teacher at Watkins Mill High School in Montgomery Village. “Our current Congress, and our current congressman, is not doing enough to address the problems facing this country,” Bero said. “Issues such as global climate change, the technological revolution, our overburdened education system, and health care, among others, are not being addressed by our current leaders in Washington. I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines hoping for our representatives to step up and do what is necessary. It’s time for a new generation of leadership, who is willing to fight for what’s best for ALL Americans, present, and future.”

MoCo Alcohol Beverage Service Announces Holiday Clearance Sale at its 25 Retail Stores

By MCS Staff

Published October 25, 2019 at 2:27AM

Per Montgomery County

Beginning Friday, Oct. 25, Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) is discounting hundreds of items in each of its retail stores to make way for new products this holiday season. The clearance sale will run through Thanksgiving, ending with an additional Black Friday promotion on Nov. 29.

Maryland Board of Public Works Approves Governor Larry Hogan’s Plan to Improve I-270

By MCS Staff

Published June 5, 2019 at 7:24PM | Updated September 26, 2019 at 5:27PM

Per the Maryland Government website:

“First Phase Will Be I-270. The Board approved Governor Hogan’s request to make I-270 improvements the first phase of the project. With a clearer consensus for making improvements on I-270, this will allow more time for local residents to convince leaders in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties of the need for traffic relief on I-495 and the American Legion Bridge before the state moves forward with the planned Phase Two and Phase Three of the project.”

Maryland Passes Bill that Makes Public Alcohol Consumption a Civil Offense

By MCS Staff

Published April 10, 2019 at 11:27AM | Updated September 26, 2019 at 5:29PM

Effective Date: October 1st, 2019

Sen. Will Smith (MoCo) Sponsors Bill That Gives MD Residents A Third Option For Gender on Driver’s License/ID Card

By MCS Staff

Published February 21, 2019 at 2:13PM | Updated September 26, 2019 at 5:29PM

Yesterday The Baltimore Sun reported that the bill will be moving forward in the Maryland General Assembly.

Sen. Will Smith is quoted as saying “This is a way that we can recognize that segment of the population so they can feel like they can move throughout society with a little bit of ease.”

Maryland Delegate, David Moon, Introduces Bill to Decriminilize Attempted Suicide

By MCS Staff

Published January 31, 2019 at 10:25PM | Updated September 26, 2019 at 5:29PM

Per Moon:
“Our state should treat suicide as a mental health issue instead of a criminal justice issue– but last year prosecutors secured a guilty plea against an Eastern Shore resident who threatened to kill himself.

They claimed they subjected him to possible jail time & a criminal record, because they wanted him to get help. Nevermind that we have numerous other tools to push our residents into mental health treatment.

Notably, Maryland never passed a law to criminalize attempted suicide. Prosecutors, however, can charge this crime because we are a state that recognizes English common law. Back in the day, the penalty used to be a roadside burial and the government seizing your assets. Even though England decriminalized attempted suicide in 1961, this antiquated practice lives on in Maryland. HB 77 would repeal the common law crime of attempted suicide in our state, and it’s long past due.”