MoCo

We thank the delegation for delivering on high priority projects, including $27 million for our growing Bus Rapid Transit system, $1 million for the Burtonsville Park and Ride, $2.1 million for the Bowie Mill Bike Trail, $1 million for the Wheaton Arts and Culture Center, and $1 million to support the High School Wellness Centers, among other priorities. The budget also includes millions in investments to support hospital services, the new University of Maryland 3 – Institute for Health Computing, and projects like the North Bethesda Metro Station North Entrance.  The Maryland General Assembly also enacted landmark legislation that will put a referendum on abortion protections on the 2024 ballot for Maryland voters and passed the Trans Health Equity Act, which expands Maryland Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care. This legislation makes Maryland one of the few states in the nation actively working to protect fundamental rights and access to health care for the transgender community.

Additional highlights from this session include the major cannabis reform bill, which was amended as requested by the Council and advocates; the passage of the Safe Harbor legislation; the Clean Trucks Act; the Fair Wages Act, which we are thrilled to see established statewide, as Montgomery County led the charge in the fight for $15; and consequential gun safety legislation, including the passage of Jaelynn’s Law and the Gun Safety Act of 2023.  We congratulate Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller on a successful first session and thank them for their support on key initiatives that ensure no one is left behind.  Our collaboration with the Montgomery County Delegation – departing and new members, alike – helps to improve the quality of life for all County residents. We look forward to our continued partnership.”

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the transgender community. The resolution, led by Councilmembers Sayles, Stewart, Mink, and President Glass, and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Albornoz, Balcombe, Fani-González, Jawando, Katz, Luedtke and Vice President Friedson, affirms Montgomery County as a place that is inclusive of the transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and wider LGBTQIA+ community, and to condemn all anti-LGBTQIA+ acts.

Recently, hate groups nationwide have targeted transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people as well as events and organizations centering on or supporting those communities. In Montgomery County, hate groups have attempted to disrupt Drag Story Hour at Brookside Gardens, Loyalty Bookstores and more. In February, Bells Mill Elementary School shifted an in-person PTA meeting to virtual after receiving threats following a social media post about a teacher reading a book about a transgender child.

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, April 11 at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month will be presented by Councilmember Sidney Katz. The second, presented by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, will recognize National Public Health Week. The afternoon session will begin at 1:15 p.m. with a proclamation presentation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, led by Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program Status Update

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), one of three minority health initiatives that are part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded 10 local organizations a total of $71,000 as part of AAHI’s Asian American Center of Excellence (AACE) micro-grants funding opportunity.

The AACE was launched in January to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-serving community-organizations in developing and increasing their capacity to successfully provide health, wellness and social support programs and services. Through AACE, AAHI offered micro-grants to improve the capacity, sustainability, and infrastructure of smaller AAPI community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, and non-profits.

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Interagency Coalition on Homelessness (ICH) has recommitted to ending homelessness for all groups by the end of 2025. The “Zero for All” campaign will be co-chaired by Bethesda Cares, a community nonprofit organization and member of the ICH.

In 2015, Montgomery County was one of the first four communities in the U.S. to reach functional zero for veterans’ homelessness. Through the Inside (not Outside) campaign, more than 450 adults experiencing chronic homelessness were housed. Between 2013 and 2022, there has been a 41 percent decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness, including a 50 percent reduction in homelessness for households with children under age 18.