We are experiencing a housing crisis.
That’s why I introduced a zoning change to eliminate parking requirements for new housing construction.
This will make housing more affordable, promote care-free living and reduce our carbon emissions.
🧵
Earlier today MCPD received reports of Pride flags, Ukrainian flags and inclusive lawn signs in Silver Spring being desecrated.
My husband and I live in this neighborhood. As the first openly LGBTQ+ councilmember, I am sickened by these acts of terror.
This is personal.
This is what love, diversity and inclusion looks like! Thank you to the community and
@ParasolPatrol
for supporting today’s Drag Queen Story Hour at the Olney library
🌈 📚 ❤️
60% of pedestrian involved crashes occur at crosswalks.
The Safe Streets Act will improve safety by prohibiting drivers from making right turns on a red traffic light at busy intersections in downtown and town center areas.
42% of suicides in Maryland are committed by a firearm.
Today I introduced the Suicide Awareness & Firearm Education (SAFE) Act requiring gun shops to display and distribute pamphlets on suicide prevention + accessing help.
We’ve had enough thoughts and prayers – we must act.
A majority of my colleagues (7-4) just voted to table a bill that would have banned the sale and use of gas powered leaf blowers, while also creating a reimbursement program to help individuals and businesses purchase new equipment. I'm disappointed by this action.
The sun shined down on us as we raised the
#Pride
flag.
This symbol of love and unity is a reflection of our beautiful diversity.
As other jurisdictions grapple with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, we stand in solidarity to say:
Hate has no home in Montgomery County.
#PrideMonth
The rise in racial, ethnic and LGBTQ+ hate crimes in Montgomery County is disturbing and frightening, which is why I'm requesting the formation of an anti-hate task force.
We must stand against hate and bigotry.
As we near the end of 2022, we’ve had 509 pedestrians and bicyclists struck by cars, while another 17 have been tragically killed. This is unacceptable and unconscionable.
I’ll be doing more in 2023 to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers — everyone.
I just read the latest MoCo360 article about MCPS. This is why I called for an independent investigation from the beginning – to learn the truth. The Inspector General is working on another report, the contents of which will finally bring the needed transparency & accountability.
ICYMI: last week the Council approved $1.6 million to implement the Safe Streets Act!
Approximately 200 intersections will be retimed for longer pedestrian crossings and new signage will be added to prevent turning right on red.
I was unable to accept internships when I was in college because none of them were paid.
Fast forward decades later, I'm proud to pay my interns so they can support themselves while also supporting the residents of Montgomery County.
Montgomery County’s school budget has grown to more than $3 billion. It's time we reform the budgetary process to improve how information is shared and how financial expectations are met.
I’m deeply disturbed by the Washington Post’s detailed reporting alleging an MCPS principal created a hostile and unsafe workplace. The public needs to need to know who was aware of this information and why it was not promptly investigated. 1/2
There are approximately 1,500 vacant positions in county government. Many of these have been unfilled for more than a year. As the council deliberates on the proposed $6.8 billion budget, I have requested that the county executive provide a list of potential staff reductions.
Parents, teachers and taxpayers continue asking questions about MCPS. Everyone wants to know the truth.
Councilmember
@dawn_luedtke
and I believe that all witnesses at the council's Feb 8 hearing should be put under oath.
While an independent investigation is conducted, I have requested that the Education and Culture Committee hold a hearing this fall to ensure additional oversight and transparency.
The Montgomery County Inspector General is opening two investigations related to allegations against Montgomery County Public Schools.
This independent review is an important step toward increased oversight, transparency and accountability.
This act of vandalism at the Chabad of Olney and the increased threats to Jewish communities across the country celebrating Hanukkah are abhorrent and blatantly antisemitic.
Everyone must denounce this hate.
"We have a chance to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our roadways.”
This was said by a grieving mother whose 32-year-old son with autism was hit and killed while he crossed the street.
It’s one of the reasons why I'm introducing the Safe Streets Act.
The Council just took an important step to address environmental, noise and health concerns in our community by banning the use of gas powered leaf blowers.
The approved legislation prohibits the sale of gas powered leaf blowers as of July '24 and bans their use after July '25.
I'm disgusted by the antisemitic graffiti sprayed under the Josiah Henson parkway bridge in North Bethesda.
The county is working to remove this hate speech.
Our community stands ready to welcome Afghan refugees and help them restart their lives in Maryland and the D.C. region.
Join us on Sept 9 to show your support for our new neighbors and learn how you can provide assistance.
MCPD has arrested and charged an individual with the fatal shooting of a man in a Silver Spring parking garage on July 8.
The use of security cameras in the garage helped identify the suspect.
We need to get guns off our streets and install more security cameras in garages.
Two years ago White’s Ferry was closed.
Businesses and residents have been severely impacted, adding 20 miles to commutes btwn Montgomery and Loudon counties.
Today I joined residents of
@Poolesville_MD
to call for it’s reopening.
We must get the ferry operating again.
Last year there were 157 reported bias incidents across Montgomery County. That is why today we are creating the Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force, to ensure that everyone feels safe living, praying and being their authentic selves in our community.
My colleague
@NataliFGonzalez
hosted a fantastic town hall on the importance of pedestrian safety along the Georgia Ave, Viers Mill Rd and University Blvd corridors.
We have more work to do to ensure our roads safe for all users.
#VisionZero
One year ago today the LGBTQ Bill of Rights was signed into law.
We must commit ourselves to making Montgomery County a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all residents.
More than 230 residents have been hit while walking or biking on our roads since the start of the year. Six people have been tragically killed. We must act to make our streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers – everyone.
Today I chaired my first meeting of the Transportation & Environment Committee. It was a terrific discussion about
@wmata
and regional transportation priorities. Glad to have
@cmkatestewart
and
@MarilynBalcombe
on board!
This evening we remembered David Glenn Jenkins, a kind soul who was killed earlier this year while riding his bike.
We need to make our streets safer for David and the 492 people who were hit while walking or biking on our streets this year.
@actfortransit
As the new school year is about to begin, our educators, staff, students and families need to know that a truly independent investigation is being conducted into the allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and retaliation by one of the school system’s middle school principals.
Congratulations to
@mcfrs
Chief Scott Goldstein on his retirement after 32 years of service!
Chief Goldstein’s dedication, selflessness and exemplary leadership is the best example of public service.
We wish him well on his next adventure in Washington state.
Today the minimum wage is increasing in Montgomery County.
—> help families get out of poverty
—> provide economic stability
—> increase consumer spending
This is absolutely tragic.
I pledge to swiftly move my Safe Streets Act through the council so we can make our roads safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.
The Inspector General report on MCPS’ handling of the fmr Farquhar principal is deeply disturbing.
One aspect not in the report: who knew about the allegations and when did they know?
I will continue asking questions until our teachers, parents & the public have the answers.
@McDot
The zoning change introduced today eliminates the requirement for parking within:
a half-mile radius of Metro
a half-mile radius of Purple Line stations
and within a quarter-mile radius of bus rapid transit (BRT) stations. 6/10
Happy Pride! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
This year marks the fourth year that I'm organizing events throughout Montgomery County to honor and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. From family day at Glen Echo Park to drag story hours, there’s something for everyone.
Five stars for these
@montgomerycoll
students studying hospitality management!
The EduKitchen food truck is a mobile learning hub and a great addition to any street festival. The food was delicious too.
Next stop: Top Chef!
Did you know that Montgomery County is the healthiest county in Maryland?!
According to the 2023 County Health Rankings, MoCo is
#1
because of our physical activity rates, lower rates of alcohol-impaired driving deaths and lower rates of uninsured residents.
For months I've been working with residents of Garrett Park and Randolph Hills to reopen a walking path, allowing them access to stores without having to drive.
I'm delighted that the county was able to reach an agreement to reopen this pathway.
The Supreme Court’s rulings against affirmative action and LGBTQ+ equality will harm our community and our country.
We can’t allow them to take us backwards.
I am deeply disturbed that the community I call home has been targeted by dangerous acts of hate and vandalism.
Like communities across the nation, we are seeing alarming rises in hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ+ community, communities of color and other vulnerable residents.
My district team was honored to join MoCo Council President Evan Glass and community leaders for the Progress Pride flag-raising ceremony, which marks the beginning of Pride Month!
It was a pleasure touring
@Main_StreetMD
with Maryland Housing Secretary
@jacobrday
and
@MDODSecretary
Carol Beatty highlighting our efforts to create more affordable, inclusive housing options for residents with disabilities.
New apartment buildings are required by law to provide parking for their residents—even if they don’t want or need it.
According to
@MCDOT
, it costs $70k-$100k to build each underground parking space currently required for new development in our urban areas. 2/10
Democracy is under attack — but thankfully we have the League of Women Voters!
Thank you to LWV’s Montgomery County Chapter for working toward a diverse and inclusionary electoral system. And congratulations to the recipients of this year’s “Defenders of Democracy” award.
An incredibly touching ceremony to honor the life of Paul Shinn, an outstanding member of our community who was killed by a distracted driver.
I'll continue working to ensure that our roads are safer for everyone.
#VisionZero
@WABADC
@actfortransit
@MoCoFSS
It’s Election Day!
Make sure to vote if there’s an election in your community.
And let’s continue working to ensure that there’s ranked choice voting in more communities next year!
#electionday
#rankedchoicevoting
#rcv
#democracy
My appreciation to
@GovWesMoore
for participating in a safety walk along Georgia Avenue in Wheaton.
This road is a state highway and one of the most heavily trafficked and dangerous roads in Montgomery County.
Many residents have reached out to me with concerns about monkeypox and the shortage of vaccinations available. I share these concerns and am requesting that the Maryland Department of Health provide more doses to Montgomery County.
Last year there were 11 pedestrians killed and 480 people hit while walking or riding their bicycles in Montgomery County. Join me
@NTSB
Chair
@JenniferHomendy
,
@repraskin
and local leaders on Saturday 10am to rally in support of Vision Zero and safer streets.
MCPS needs to release the unredacted report detailing who knew about the sexual harassment claims against the former Farquhar Middle School principal.
Our teachers, our parents and our taxpayers deserve to know the truth.
Due to the Heat Emergency Alert through Saturday, water bottles will be provided on
@RideOnMCT
buses for riders.
County facilities, including libraries, swimming pools, recreation centers and senior centers will be available to cool off during normal operating hours.
My team is at the Long Branch Library assisting the families who were all safely evacuated from the Flower Branch Apts in Silver Spring.
County and community organizations are here to help.
Today
@sowhatelsehelps
launched a new food pantry in Rockville! This facility has the ability to recover 300,000 pounds of food per week and share it with families in need. It’s a wonderful resource for residents who continue to experience food insecurity.
Standing room only for our fourth public hearing on the proposed $6.8 billion budget. We’ll be hearing from 53 speakers tonight. This is democracy in action.
Congratulations to Kimia Habibzadeh, a rising sophomore at Churchill High School, for winning this year’s Pride youth poetry competition with her poem “Together, Golden.”
@McDot
As I’ve said time and time again, if we want more housing that is affordable, we must build more housing.
This common sense zoning change will allow us to do that. 9/10
.
@dawn_luedtke
and I believe that the Maryland Inspector General for Education and the Montgomery County Inspector General are best positioned to conduct this important investigation.
For 38 years
@MikeRileyParks
built playgrounds and sports fields, planted flowers and trees, and paved walking and bike trails across the county.
Thank you Mike for your friendship, leadership and vision.
We all appreciate your service and wish you a happy retirement.
My legislation will:
🚦prohibit "right turn on red" in downtown areas
👟 give pedestrians a head start at intersections
🗒️ require the county executive to publish a new automated enforcement action plan
✏️ require reviews after crashes that involved students
These incidents occurred one day after the council voted unanimously to establish an Anti-Hate Task Force, which will lead the efforts to ensure that everyone feels safe living, praying and being their authentic selves in our community.
Today at 3 p.m. Join me, Councilmember
@cmkatestewart
, MCPD, neighborhood organizations, business owners and residents for an important community conversation on public safety.
I formed the new Economic Development Committee so we have more opportunities to focus on job creation, support small businesses and tackle the racial wealth gap.
Looking forward to serving on the committee alongside Chair
@NataliFGonzalez
.