Government Archives - Page 11 of 114

Published November 21, 2022 at 11:17AM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today proclaimed November 22, 2022 as Kimchi Day to recognize the importance of this popular Korean dish, and to further celebrate Korean culture in Maryland.

First Lady Yumi Hogan, the first Korean-American First Lady in the United States, has promoted kimchi through her “Yumi Cooks” series. Government House is the first and only governor’s mansion in the nation with a kimchi refrigerator. The First Lady also led the effort to open Maryland’s Koreatown last year in Ellicott City.

Highways / Interstates

Governor-Elect Wes Moore’s Statement on MDOT Decision on I-495/1-270 Toll Lanes Contract

By Patrick Herron

Published November 21, 2022 at 9:50AM

Last week the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan, which included a10-month extension for private companies to submit proposals. On Friday, Governor-Elect Wes Moore issued the following statement:

Under Lt. Gov.-Elect Aruna Miller’s leadership, the Moore-Miller administration is eager to work collaboratively with Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman, Treasurer Dereck Davis, the Maryland General Assembly, County Executive Marc Erich, and our communities to find the best path forward.”

Beyond MoCo

Montgomery County Council Statement on the Mass Shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs

By Patrick Herron

Published November 20, 2022 at 1:40PM

Per Montgomery County —The Montgomery County Council issued the following statement about the horrific mass shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado at Club Q on Nov. 19. “Our nation has endured another horrific, premeditated mass shooting fueled by hate that has taken the lives of five people and left at least 18 others fighting for their lives. This senseless attack targeted members of the LGBTQIA+ community who were gathering to commemorate this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors the memory of transgender people who where killed because of anti-transgender bigotry and violence.

“Our hearts break for those who lost their lives and their families and loved ones. Our thoughts also go out to the survivors of this tragedy who will be forever impacted by the trauma of this horrifying attack.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Releases Final Recommendations from Audit of the Montgomery County Police Department

By Patrick Herron

Published November 19, 2022 at 11:30AM

Per Montgomery County: Today, County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by Montgomery County Police Department Chief Marcus Jones and Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Member Co-Chair Bernice Mireku-North for a presentation of the final recommendations by Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELEFA) s that offer improvements in officer education, supervision, practices, accountability and public transparency. To read the final review and recommendations, please click here. To view the press conference of this presentation, please click here. The full report can be found here.

Since July 2020, ELEFA has partnered with County officials, the MCPD, the Reimagining Public Safety (RPS) Task Force, and local residents to identify, evaluate, and recommend structural and systemic improvements the Department can implement to achieve a shared vision of safe and effective law enforcement in Montgomery County. ELEFA’s audit included evaluation of the Department’s organizational culture, policies, resources, transparency, procedures and operations. The Preliminary Report issued in June 2021 identified a number of opportunities for improvement. Since then, ELEFA has continued its audit of the MCPD, working in close cooperation with MCPD and other constituent organizations.

MoCo Government

Asian American Health Initiative’s Healthy Communities Fund Awards $830,000 to Programs for the Asian American Community

By Patrick Herron

Published November 18, 2022 at 2:31PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Asian American Health Initiative(AAHI), one of the three minority health initiatives that are part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded 10 local organizations a total of $830,000 from their Healthy Communities Fund. The funding will be used to develop new and sustain existing culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services in behavioral health, senior wellness and health and social support services for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

AAPI communities are very diverse and have unique challenges collectively and individually. With 15 different Asian American subgroups in the community, and unique needs in each subgroup, programing must be tailored for each subgroup with consideration to the language and culture of the population being served.

Traffic

Governor Hogan Statement on Progress of Traffic Relief Plan for Capital Beltway and American Legion Bridge

By Patrick Herron

Published November 18, 2022 at 11:16AM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement after the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan: “Now that we have secured final federal approval, the most important transportation project for the National Capital Region in the last 50 years is well-positioned to move forward—and we are confident it will move forward. No project is more critical for improving the quality of life and stimulating the economic growth of the region.

While this extension is necessary due to the months-long delay of the record of decision at the federal level—along with years of moving the goalposts at the local level—we have advanced this project to the point that it can move forward quickly barring further needless delay.

Education

Agreement Signed That Will Create ‘University of Maryland 3—Institute for Health Computing’ Research Facility and Academic Presence in North Bethesda

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:49PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined last week by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP); the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to establish the “University of Maryland 3—Institute for Health Computing (UM-3-IHC).” The Institute will include research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR).

The agreement will create a research facility and academic presence in the heart of the County’s bio-life science corridor that will serve as an anchor and attraction to developers and businesses. It also will provide new student experiential learning and job opportunities near the North Bethesda Metro Station, formerly known as the White Flint Metro Station, in the Pike District. To watch a recording of the event, click here. To view the MOU in its entirety, click here.

MCDOT

More Than 250 Montgomery County Residents Attend MCDOT-Sponsored Adult Bike and E-Scooter Safety Classes

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:46PM

MCDOT partnered with the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) to lead six adult bike classes and with Bird, Lime and Spin to conduct four free e-scooter classes. Classes were held at different locations throughout the County. Classes will resume in spring 2023. Information about those classes will be posted on the MCDOT website at tinyurl.com/cycleclss in early February. Registration is required for the bike classes and spaces typically fill up fast. Walk ups are welcome and no registration is required for the e-scooter trainings.

For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Holiday Special Schedules for Thanksgiving Day

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:27PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 24.

at 10:15 AM

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces MilliporeSigma Expanding Biosafety Testing In Montgomery County, Adding 500 New Jobs

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 2:36PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced that MilliporeSigma, an international biosciences company, is growing its presence in Montgomery County with a $286 million investment to expand its biosafety testing capacity. The company, known locally as BioReliance Corporation, currently has five locations in Rockville and is planning to consolidate in a new 250,000-square-foot facility at 9820 Darnestown Road at the Alexandria Center® at Traville Gateway campus, which is being developed and operated by Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. MilliporeSigma will maintain one additional facility at 9630 Medical Center Drive and will retain at least 600 full-time employees during the expansion, while creating more than 500 new jobs over the next four years.

“Maryland has built one of the nation’s strongest life sciences industries, and having MilliporeSigma reinvest in its Maryland biosafety facility will bring hundreds of more jobs to the Montgomery County community and continue to grow the region’s innovative workforce,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration has made expanding the state’s life sciences and biotechnology research workforce a priority, and the progress our life sciences industry has made in the last eight years is another sign that Maryland is open for business.”

MoCo Government

Montgomery Blair High School Student Malaika Wande Named “Councilmember for a Day”

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:50AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice selected Malaika Wande from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring as the winner of his Councilmember for a Day V.O.I.C.E.S (Virtual Online Innovative & Civically Engaged Storytelling) challenge. Councilmember Rice, who chairs the Council’s Education and Culture Committee, developed the annual Councilmember for a Day challenge in 2016 to engage youth to write about an issue they care about and connect with local government to enact change. Last year, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College and others, the Council enhanced the challenge to include V.O.I.C.E.S, a free afterschool digital storytelling program for all students in grades 8 through 12. Participants were provided a loaner iPad and mentored by an instructor as they learned to create a short video highlighting an important public policy issue and ways to help address it.

Councilmember Rice announced the winner at a virtual showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 9, where six finalists also were recognized. Ms. Wande’s winning entry was a compelling video on affordable housing in Montgomery County. She joined the Council on the dais as an honorary “Councilmember for a Day” and was recognized with a proclamation and a presentation of her video.