Keeping Up with Christiana!
|
|
Greetings!
Welcome to our May Newsletter! This month, as we continue to live in the new normal during COVID-19, I am incredibly grateful for the numerous community organizations and Howard County residents who have stepped up to help our neighbors in need.
I would like to highlight just a few community efforts that have inspired me during these challenging times:
|
|
|
|
Almost immediately after this pandemic impacted Maryland, Howard County resident Erika Strauss Chavarria created Columbia Community Cares to meet community needs.
With over 4,000 members on Facebook, Columbia Community Care is collecting and distributing donations of groceries, toiletries, and other items in need. You can learn more about how to donate, volunteer, or access resources
here
.
|
|
|
|
Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a group of community organizations focused on collecting and deploying resources during a local disaster.
If you are able to donate, are in need of
grocery/medicine delivery
, or are in need of a mask, please visit COAD's website
here
to learn more about their services.
|
|
|
|
The goal of this coalition is to
support Howard County nonprofits on the front-line of COVID-19 support, focusing on assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare. To date, HoCoRespond has raised over $400,000 for Howard County's nonprofits.
You can learn more about HoCoRespond here
.
|
|
|
|
In addition to these organizations, County Executive Ball recently launched a "HoCo Donations Collections" map and database to share information with county residents on how they can donate groceries, toiletries, cleaning products, and other items in need during COVID-19. You can visit the database and learn more
here
.
As we head into warmer weather, please don't hesitate to contact my office if you are experiencing any issues in your community or would just like to get in touch. We are here to help with your concerns and listen to your feedback. Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy May!
Yours in service,
|
|
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
|
|
|
As COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases continue to increase in Howard County, I am closely following all updates from the state and federal government. To date, there are over 1,000 cases of COVID-19 in Howard County, and 30 of our Howard County neighbors have lost their lives to this disease. This is an incredibly challenging time for families across the nation, but I continue to be encouraged by the acts of kindness and generosity in our community.
Howard County Government is working closely with the Howard County Health Department, Howard County General Hospital, and the Maryland Department of Health to ensure that our county is flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases and has adequate response measures in place. For additional information and updates on our County's response to COVID-19, I encourage you to visit Howard County Government's COVID-19
website
.
If you or a family member think that you may have coronavirus, please contact your healthcare provider, who will determine whether you need to be tested for COVID-19. You can learn more about the process of getting tested for COVID-19 in the infographic below. For additional information on testing, please visit the Howard County Health Department's
website
.
|
|
This month, I joined my colleagues on the County Council in introducing and sponsoring several pieces of legislation, including:
- CB33-2020: The Rental Protection and Stability Act, which would prohibit rent increases for residential tenants, commercial tenants, and mobile home owners in Howard County for the duration of our State of Emergency. This legislation is an important start to protecting the 30,000+ Howard County renter households, many of which are financially strained during COVID-19. This legislation would prevent these households from seeing their rents increased during the pandemic. Read more here. Introduced by Liz Walsh, Deb Jung, and Christiana Rigby.
- CR85-2020: legislation adopting a progressive structure to Howard County's recordation tax as part of the FY21 Budget. This legislation provides tax relief on property sales below $300,000 and strengthens Howard County Government’s financial position. The recordation tax is a one-time cost paid when real estate is sold to a new owner, typically split as part of the closing costs of a real estate transaction. Read more here. Introduced by Christiana Rigby. Co-sponsored by Opel Jones.
|
|
Tax Credit Application Deadlines Extended
|
|
These tax credits include the Senior Tax Credit, the Aging-in-Place Tax Credit, the Public Safety Officer Property Tax Credit, and more. You can learn more and find information on all of Howard County's tax credits
here
.
|
|
|
May 18, 7:00 PM - Legislative Public Hearing
May 18, 7:00 PM - Emergency Legislative Session
May 27, 2:30 PM - Legislative Work Session
June 1, 7:00 PM - Legislative Session
June 15, 7:00 PM - Legislative Public Hearing
June 22, 1:00 PM - Legislative Work Session
July 6, 7:00 PM - Legislative Session
|
|
|
Please note: all County Council meetings and sessions are live-streamed and available to the public online. Due to ongoing concerns about coronavirus,
residents wishing to testify on local legislation may do so virtually
(sign-up
here).
Residents are also encouraged to submit written testimony to the County Council by emailing us at
CouncilMail@howardcountymd.gov
.
|
|
Howard County Autism Society - Grants
|
|
The Howard County Autism
Society is offering small Emergency Grants (up to $250) to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism and their families who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 through its Madhu Thibaudeau Family Fund. Funds can be used to cover the cost of food, rent, utilities, medical needs, autism-related materials or other critical needs. Download the grant application
here
.
|
|
|
Draft Regional Transit Plan
|
|
For residents interested in the future of public transportation in Central Maryland, the Maryland Department of Transportation is soliciting feedback on their
Draft Regional Transit Plan
!
The Plan looks at how to improve the existing transit services, which areas can be better served by transit, and where new services could be appropriate. You’ll also see a broad array of initiatives to help us move forward in a way that serves everyone – from specific, targeted local actions to long-term and large-scale projects that will meet the changing needs of the region.
|
|
|
Green Bin Composting Service
|
|
Howard County Government is currently looking to expand their “Green Bin” composting service to additional communities in Howard County. This program reduces household trash, reduces greenhouse gases, and helps the planet!
District 3 residents who are interested in the “Green Bin” composting service in their community are encouraged to sign up and signal their interest in the Green Bin program
here
.
|
|
|
As of May 7th, roughly 71.5% of Howard County households have responded to the Census. BUT, that still means over 28% of Howard County households have not yet responded -- equal to about 91,000 uncounted Howard County residents!
Haven't completed the 2020 Census yet? It's quick, easy, and safe to fill out online and will bring federal resources to Howard County.
I encourage you to take 5 minutes and visit
my2020census.gov
to respond for your household today.
|
|
Upcoming District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings
|
|
There are currently no pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3 this month.
|
|
HCPSS is offering free breakfast, lunch, AND dinner to anyone age 18 & under and/or any HCPSS student through the end of the school year.
Participants will be given a Grab-N-Go snack, lunch and dinner for that day, as well as a Grab-N-Go breakfast for the following day. Friday distributions at school-based locations only also will include meals to sustain children through the weekend.
There is no application, enrollment, or fee for this program, so please share this information widely with our HCPSS community. Stop by any one of the 11 school sites or 3 community locations between 11:30am and 1:30pm to pick up meals.
More info here
.
|
|
If you or a family member recently lost a job due to COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment insurance from the state of Maryland.
After a number of issues and long delays for MD residents applying for unemployment, the State has updated and streamlined their system for unemployment. You can find more information and apply for unemployment benefits
here
. You can also find more information on job opportunities and employment assistance from the Howard County Office of Workforce Development
here
.
|
|
|
|
Marylanders can now enroll in quality, affordable Maryland Health Connection health plans. Visit
MarylandHealthConnection.gov
and request or select “Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period."
The special enrollment period has been extended to
June 15, 2020
due to the public health emergency.
All eligible, uninsured Marylanders may qualify for this emergency special enrollment period.
|
|
Business Resources
and Assistance
|
Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) has published a
resource page
for local businesses and employers looking for relief and assistance.
Last month, Governor Hogan announced several business grants, loans, and assistance programs. You can find the full info regarding state & federal resources for businesses
here
.
Maryland has received a federal designation as a Small Business Disaster Loan Area. Small businesses can
learn more and apply here
.
|
|
|
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
|
|
Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant
cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421
|
|
Felix Facchine
District Aide
ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-3108
|
|
Please feel free to contact us by email or phone. Plus, you can stay up-to-date with Christiana by following us on social media, where we post daily updates on events, county news, legislative priorities, and Christiana's activity! Don't miss out on any District 3 news!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
