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Dear Friends,
In a straw vote this morning, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Operating Budget. (Click here to read my remarks.) On May 24th, the Council is set to officially approve the budget. In this budget, I am committed to continuing our record investment in education, rebuilding the social safety net and promoting public safety by enhancing positive youth development activities.
Investing in Our Children's Future
Funding our schools continues to be the Council's top priority. This year, we are investing about $2 billion in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Put another way, more than half of the County-taxpayer supported portion of the budget will be transferred to the Board of Education for operating expenses.
The Council is also funding a range of programs in the County Government portion of the budget to support our schools. We are providing $5 million for crossing guards, support staff and community police officers. More than 300 school health positions, including nurses and health room technicians, are included in the budget at a cost of $22.1 million. We are providing $4.7 million for the Linkages to Learning program and $3.4 million for suspension, reading, tutoring, mentoring and community-based Pre-Kindergarten programs. These investments, above and beyond the Maintenance of Effort mandate by the State, demonstrate this Council's continuing commitment to a holistic approach to education.
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Supporting Families and Youth
During the curfew debate last year, I met with the County Executive to talk to him about the need for an increase in positive youth activities and programs that support our most vulnerable residents. I called this proposal the Families and Youth Support Enhancement Initiative. My proposal did not seek to reinvent the wheel. I asked the County Executive to expand and enhance existing programs and programs that have been cut over the past few difficult fiscal years. In his Recommended Budget, the County Executive included a variety of important programs that will benefit families across our County.
This year, we will expand the successful Teen Escape Club from a single location pilot in the East County to four additional sites throughout the County. We will increase the number of Street Outreach Network staff, who play a key role in preventing and intervening in gang activity. We'll continue supporting the high school Wellness Centers and Excel Beyond the Bell, which provide essential after school activities and other important services to students. The County Executive also recommended reinstituting a summer jobs program called the Student/Teen Employment Program (STEP). This initiative, run by the Department of Recreation, will provide jobs for more than 60 underprivileged youth this year.
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Enhancing Our Quality of Life
For the first time in several years, County departments that provide essential services to our residents are seeing their budgets slightly increase. Our libraries have been among the hardest hit by the difficult budget decisions we have had to make. This year, the County Executive proposed increasing funding for Libraries by nearly 10%. Although this does not put the Libraries back to where they were pre-recession, this is a step in the right direction for this service we all value so much.
The Department of Recreation will also see a slight increase compared to last year. This additional funding will pay for several programs discussed above, including the youth jobs program, teen and evening positive youth development programming, and an expansion of athletic programs for youth.
I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the tremendous contribution by our County employees. These frontline workers have lived without pay increases for several years, while enduring furloughs and other cuts at the same time. To show our appreciation to these employees, they will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $2,000. While we would love to do more, this payment is a sign that the work these individuals do every day is an incredible contribution to our community and the quality of life we enjoy in Montgomery County.
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Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility
As chair of the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee, I am working to maintain our County's pristine credit rating by making fiscally responsible decisions. Since I became chair of the GO Committee, the County has adopted the most rigorous fiscal policies and responsible Spending Affordability Guidelines in its history. The County has methodically built up its reserves and is on track to meet the 10% reserve goal by 2020.
This year, the Council will keep property taxes at the County Executive's recommended level, with a credit of $692 for every eligible homeowner. We will also work to begin phasing out the 2010 energy tax increase with a 10% reduction this year. Through our disciplined spending approach and fair, progressive tax policies, we are creating an economy build to last and an atmosphere where businesses can thrive.
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Regulating "Mega-Gas Stations"
On June 19th, the Council will hold a public hearing on Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 12-07: Special Exceptions-Automobile Filing Stations. This ZTA would prohibit "mega-gas stations," those that dispense more than 3.6 million gallons per year, from locating within 1,000 feet of a school, park, playground, or any other location categorized for entertainment or recreational uses. This policy is modeled on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for school placement. I strongly support this commonsense reform that will protect our environment and the health of our residents-particularly children and seniors. You can watch a press conference about this proposal here.
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Montgomery County Has Top 7 Schools in Maryland
Funding our schools has always been a top priority in Montgomery County. Over the past decade, the Council funded Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) more than a half billion dollars more than the state required Maintenance of Effort level. This investment, and of course the hard work of our teachers, administrators, students and families, is on full display in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of the top high schools. The top 7 schools in Maryland are located in Montgomery County. We need to make sure all of our schools throughout the County continue receiving the resources they need to help students succeed |
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Tell Congress: Don't Double Student Loan Rates
If Congress doesn't take action by July 1st, rates on new federally subsidized Stafford Loans will double. More than 7 million students around the country will rack up an average of $1,000 of extra debt because of Republican obstructionists in Congress. You can find more information about this important issue on the White House website.
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Community Bulletin Board
New MCPS site en Espaņol
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) launched a new Spanish-language website and twitter account, where you can find the information you need and get the latest news about our schools.
Taste of Wheaton
Sunday, May 20, 11am-5pm
Taste of Wheaton is an event that highlights the diverse restaurants, businesses, nonprofits, etc. in downtown Wheaton. The GGCA will have a booth there, so come on down to the corner of Grandview & Reedie and see us! For details, visit the
Taste of Wheaton website.
Glenmont Sector Plan Meeting
Wednesday, May 23 @ 7pm
Join Montgomery County planners for a community meeting to present preliminary recommendations for the Glenmont Sector Plan. Attend to learn more and provide feedback to help inform the staff draft to the Montgomery County Planning Board.
The presentation will cover the Planning Department staff's analysis of existing conditions and county policies and reflect the feedback they've received from residents, business owners, landowners and government agencies.
For more details, visit the Glenmont Sector Plan webpage.
Clothes for Those in Need
The Colesville Council of Community Congregations (C-4) serves women, men and children with financial hardships by operating a clothes closet and a baby closet. Seasonally, the organization distributes school supplies, backpacks and toys. C-4's clients are Montgomery County residents with a demonstrated need. The Colesville Patch recently ran a story about the great work this organization does. You can find out how you can help make a difference by contacting the organization at (301) 989-8742.
New Web Videonovela Series Helps Spanish-Speaking Patients Compare Treatments for Diabetes
A new three-part AHRQ Spanish-language videonovela series, Aprende a vivir (Learn to Live), features messages for diabetes patients to find a treatment regimen that works best for them. Aprende a vivir tells the story of how Don Felipe, who has type 2 diabetes, works with his family and his health care team to compare his treatment options rather than skip his medication because of side effects. The first episode is available on AHRQ's Healthcare 411 Web site. The Healthcare 411 Web site showcases the Aprende a vivir series and provides links to patient education resources on comparing treatments for diabetes and other health information from AHRQ and across HHS. The materials are available in Spanish and English. Viewers of the Aprende a vivir series will also have the option of selecting captions in Spanish or English. The episodes will also be available on AHRQ's Spanish-language Facebook page.
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Thank you!
As always, thank you very much for taking the time to read my e-newsletter. If you ever need assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to call my office at (240) 777-7968 or e-mail councilmember.navarro@montgomercountymd.gov.
Sincerely,
Nancy Navarro
Council Vice President
Councilmember, District 4
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