Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that, through the state’s Connect Maryland initiative, the Office of Statewide Broadband has awarded more than $127.6 million to local jurisdictions, Internet Service Providers, educational, and community organizations to increase high-speed internet access and affordability. The funding will help provide broadband service to an estimated 15,000 households that are currently unserved or underserved while specific education grants will both expand infrastructure and provide wireless devices and equipment to Maryland’s K-12 students.

The governor made the announcement while kicking off a series of events in Harford County to highlight administration initiatives and accomplishments.


MoCo Government

Early Voting for the Primary Gubernatorial Election is taking place now through July 14, 2022 in Montgomery County.  The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Ride On bus service has several routes available to transport voters to the early voting centers. Learn more about bus service options (PDF).

For driving directions and bus routes from your address to the early voting sites, visit the Early Voting Centers Online Map from the Montgomery County’s GIS Department.


MoCo Government

Led by Council President Albornoz and Councilmembers Nancy Navarro and Craig Rice, the Council unanimously enacted Bill 42-21 in Feb. 2022, which provided the framework to establish an independent Early Care and Education Coordinating Entity. This organization will focus on systemic issues related to accessible, high quality and sustainable early care and education (ECE) in order to empower more parents to participate in the workforce, provide a solid educational foundation for children, help employers attract and retain talented individuals, and ensure a talented future workforce to help spur Montgomery County’s economy.

The entity will serve as a public-private convenor to help build a more unified system and bring together all stakeholders, including parents, employers, and childcare providers. It is charged with facilitating the coordination of resources across the entire ECE system. The nonprofit organization will develop recommendations to increase the availability of, and access to, high-quality, affordable early care and education programs. Particular attention will be given to underrepresented populations and children up to 5 years of age. The entity must also adopt and implement a racial equity and social justice policy consistent with Montgomery County’s policy.


MoCo Government

ZTA 22-02 Density and Height Limits, Parking – Biohealth

Review:  The PHED Committee will review ZTA 22-02 Density and Height Limits, Parking – Biohealth, which would allow additional height and increased flexibility in density for urban biohealth facilities in recognition of the unique mechanical challenges of biohealth buildings. ZTA 22-02 would also allow consolidation of certain facilities and provide parking provisions for Biohealth Priority Campuses.


Glenmont

The DEP Green Streets project was completed in June after a year of construction. The Glenmont Forest and Wheaton Hills Green Streets project includes 53 small-scale projects that include tree boxes, rain gardens and other types of landscaping designed to filter or infiltrate stormwater runoff. Unique to the project, will be interactive signage that includes an educational challenge throughout the community.

“I am honored to take part in the dedication of this new Green Streets project in the Glenmont Forest and Wheaton Hills communities,” said County Executive Elrich. “This project is proof that communities working with the government can achieve results. The people of this community came to the County asking for rain gardens and tree boxes to add natural beauty to the streets and capture stormwater. We listened, took action, and today we have a neighborhood project that reduces pollution and erosion and beautifies the area. Great work all around!”


Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD–Governor Larry Hogan today announced the opening of the second application round for Project Restore, an economic recovery initiative that provides financial incentives for small businesses and commercial developers to revitalize vacant retail and commercial space.

Through Project Restore, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will administer $25 million in rental and operational grants to new and expanding Maryland small businesses to assist with startup costs and incentivize commercial investment in vacant spaces. Launched last year by Governor Hogan, Project Restore has already assisted more than 350 Maryland businesses.


MoCo Government

The two programs being funded by the County are the Montgomery Homeownership Program, administered by the State of Maryland’s Department of Housing, and the Montgomery County Homeownership Assistance Fund (McHAF) Program, administered by the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC). Each program will receive $1.5 million to assist first-time homebuyers.

The programs are accepting reservations and are available to help eligible homebuyers who purchase a moderately-priced home in the County. Reservations will be accepted until the funds are fully committed.


MoCo Police

The Montgomery County Police Department held a commemorative ceremony this morning at the Red Brick Courthouse (29 Courthouse Square, Rockville) in recognition of the Montgomery County Police Department’s 100th anniversary.  Police Chief Marcus Jones, Governor Larry Hogan, County Executive Marc Elrich, and County Council President Gabe Albornoz were among those in attendance.

At the event, Chief Marcus Jones revealed the contents of a time capsule buried 25 years ago, which included a Polaroid camera, patches, and a uniform. Items placed in the new time capsule included a taser, COVID-19 mask, and body worn camera.


MoCo Government

State’s Attorney John McCarthy pledges to protect the reproductive rights of all women. His office will not participate in the extradition of any woman who travels to Maryland as a safe haven in order to obtain an abortion, nor cooperate with any investigative efforts to identify providers. It is the position of the State’s Attorney’s Office that no state would have the legal authority to pass a law that would criminalize the legal activity of a woman who came to Maryland to obtain a medical procedure. The State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County will continue to protect the HIPAA rights of anyone who receives medical care in the state of Maryland.

As Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has stated, broad access to abortion remains protected in states, including Maryland, that recognize reproductive freedom. The State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County will use the full force of the law to continue to protect women’s rights.”


MoCo Government

It is not too late to request a mail-in ballot. To get one, text VBM to 77788 or visit 777vote.org. The request deadline to receive a mail-in ballot by mail is July 12.

The Board of Elections encourages voters to cast ballots as soon as possible. It also offers the following suggestions on steps that can be taken to help the mail-in voting process go smoothly:


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