By Adam Pagnucco. Battered by tax-shocked residents, county employee unions and the legions of people who regularly demand funding for their favored spending, the county council is trying to navigate…
budget
Unions Blast Effort to Reduce Tax Hike
By Adam Pagnucco. The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500 have issued a press release blasting measures taken by the county council’s Education…
By Adam Pagnucco. In the wake of a request by Council Members Natali Fani-Gonzalez and Gabe Albornoz to fund council-directed media ads, Council Member Kristin Mink now has a spending…
By Adam Pagnucco. County Executive Marc Elrich has responded to Council President Evan Glass’s memo asking him to quantify potential savings from leaving vacant positions unfunded. His response: he does…
By Adam Pagnucco. With a $223 million property tax hike looming, the hunt is on inside the council building to save money and reduce the tax increase. And a council…
“I Can’t Explain That to a Resident”
By Adam Pagnucco. Of all the elected officials I have met, Council Member Andrew Friedson is one of the best at explaining complicated matters in terms that anyone can understand. …
They Rant and Rave and Then Vote Yes
By Adam Pagnucco. Last Tuesday, the single largest component of County Executive Marc Elrich’s budget came before the county council. They were about as happy to see it as a…
By Adam Pagnucco. County Executive Marc Elrich has proposed a 10 percent property tax hike which would raise $223 million for the FY24 budget. He is using a loophole in…
By Adam Pagnucco. On top of the county executive’s recommended budget, which has large increases for most government functions financed by a 10% property tax hike, two county council members…
By Adam Pagnucco. A new analysis prepared by county council staff paints a grim picture of public safety in Montgomery County. The basic message is two-fold: crime continues to rise…