MoCo

Per Montgomery County: In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, the Montgomery County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Public Libraries and Friends of the Library Montgomery County, Inc. is holding its Sixth Annual “Girl Power Contest.” County residents, ages 5 and up, are encouraged to submit a short story, poem, drawing or entry in the medium of their choice that addresses this year’s theme. The deadline for entries is midnight on Friday, March 31.

In 2022, the Montgomery County Council made history as voters in November elected the County’s first female-majority Council. In honor of this milestone, the following question is the theme for this year’s Girl Power Contest: We now have six women on the Montgomery County Council. What advice would you give them to make sure our community is a place where women and girls can feel safe and encouraged?

Per Montgomery County: Today the Montgomery County Council voted to approve Bill 7-23, Consumer Protection- Gasoline Station Signage, sponsored by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz. The legislation is supported by the full Council, and the new law requires gas stations in Montgomery County to post the credit price of regular gasoline. Current Maryland state law requires gas stations to display the lowest price of regular gasoline. Many gas stations charge different prices according to the method payment, with the lowest price typically requiring payment in cash.

“We have all experienced that moment of noting the posted price of a gallon of gas, pulling up to the pump and then realizing that the credit price is much higher,” said Councilmember Albornoz, who chairs the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee. “The intent of the existing state requirement to display the lowest price of regular gasoline overlooks that most consumers use credit cards to purchase gas. Our residents find the lack of disclosing the credit price to be misleading and frustrating. I’m grateful to my fellow Councilmembers for their support of this legislation to protect our consumers.”

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill introduced by Councilmember Sidney Katz, which amends the property tax credit for certain individuals 65 and above and retired military services members. The original property tax credit bill, sponsored by Councilmember Katz, passed in 2017. The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee unanimously (3-0) recommended enactment of Bill 1-23 with amendments.

Bill 1-23 will increase the assessed value of qualifying properties by $50,000 from the current thresholds, so that the maximum assessed value of a property would be updated from $650,000 to $700,000 for qualifying individuals 65 and above and from $500,000 to $550,000 for eligible military services retirees. Qualified residents currently receive up to a 20 percent credit on their county property tax bill annually, for up to seven years.

“I applaud the unanimous vote of the County Council today to approve the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission. I greatly appreciate the leadership of Councilmember Albornoz and was pleased to work with him on this important legislation. As a parent of an adult foster child with IDD, I know that people in the community with direct experiences can help us. We will begin the task of recruitment for the members of the commission and look forward to the commission beginning the tasks of identifying and advocating for the unique needs of people with IDD and fostering dialogue with families and caregivers,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.

As enacted, the new IDD Commission includes 24 members, including individuals from the intellectual and developmental disability community, service providers and service agencies, and the Commission on People with Disabilities, who will be focusing on promoting direct communication among families, support staff, private and public organizations and the public about programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The commission will also provide educational programs, identify current gaps in services and provide advice and recommendations on best practices to the County and the County Executive.