Pay Equity Act

County Marc Elrich signed Bill 4-19, known as the Pay Equity Act. Councilmember Evan Glass was the lead sponsor of the bill, which was enacted unanimously. Under this law, the Montgomery County government will no longer request pay stubs or rely on pay history when determining an employee’s salary. More information on Bill 4-19 is available here. See more photos of the signing ceremony for Bill 4-19 here.

Limitations on Lead in Drinking Water in Montgomery County Public Schools

County Executive Marc Elrich signed Bill 2-19, regarding lowering acceptable limits for lead in drinking water in Montgomery County Public Schools. Councilmember Tom Hucker was the chief sponsor of the bill, which was enacted unanimously. The legislation lowers that acceptable level of toxic lead from 20 ppb to 5 ppb. More information on Bill 2-19 is available here. See more photos of the Bill 2-19 signing ceremony here.

10-Year Anniversary: Family Justice Center & Family Justice Center Foundation

County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by Council Vice President Sidney Katz, Councilmember Evan Glass and dozens of civic and community leaders, at the Family Justice Center celebration. Elrich highlighted the value of the Family Justice Center’s collaborative approach in promoting safety, well-being, and healing for victims of family violence. More than 11,000 individuals experiencing family violence have received help at its comprehensive, one-stop center; services include advocacy, law enforcement, civil legal services and social services. See more photos from flickr album. 

21st annual Interfaith Works Caregivers Conference

County Executive Marc Elrich delivered remarks at the 21st annual Interfaith Works Caregivers Conference, themed, “Understanding Equity: Why it matters to the people we serve.” The Rev. Dr. Rosetta Robinson, director of Emergency Assistance Coalition, introduced the conference speakers. Interfaith Works CEO Shane Rock and city of Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman also spoke. Elrich described the County’s racial equity and social justice initiative. Participants were engaged in a conversation about making our County a more equitable community. The conference was co-sponsored by the Emergency Assistance Coalition and the city of Gaithersburg. More photos from the event, here. 

Farming in Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Office of Agriculture (OAG) led a farm tour of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve for several nonprofits and other organizations with stops at One Acre Farm, Brookeville Beer Farm and Sunny Ridge Farm. Did you know there are approximately 558 farms in Montgomery County, with the average farm size being about 117 acres? Learn more by visiting the OAG website.

Wheaton 4Business Listening Session

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council Vice President Sidney Katz hosted their fourth 4Business listening session in Wheaton. They are asking for ideas and input about improving the business climate. For more information, visit the 4Business website HERE.

Power-ful

County Executive Marc Elrich celebrated with members of the Montgomery County’s Commission for Women and the winners of its Girl Power contest, who addressed the theme, “If you had a superpower, how would you use that power to help girls and women?” Entries, in the form of a short story, poem, drawing, or anything else the contestant could imagine, were submitted in March during Women’s History month in four categories: elementary, middle, high school, and adult.

Business Connect Launches at Upcounty

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich launched Business Connect at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown during  Small Business Week. Elrich was joined by Council Vice President Sidney Katz, County Councilmember Craig Rice, Maryland Commerce Deputy Secretary Ben Wu, members of the business community and officials from several County departments, including permitting and procurement. Business Connect is a new, pilot program that provides classes, counseling and connections to support businesses in the Upcounty. Visit the  Montgomery County Business Portal for information about upcoming classes at the Upcounty and other locations around the region. 

One-Stop Employment Law Update and Information Workshop

Montgomery County’s Office of Human Rights and Commission for Women will co-host a free employment law and information seminar on Thursday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This free workshop will provide sessions on age discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace, minimum wage requirements, pay equity issues and state and federal law updates. For more information, visit the Office of Human Rights website.

• Register Online

Summer Registration

Registration is now underway for Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery Parks summer activities and programs. To view the summer guide and register online, go to ActiveMontgomery.org. Read the news release here.  

Benchmarking to Be the Best for Business

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council Vice President Sidney Katz are holding their next 4Business listening session Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building. This is your opportunity to share your ideas and stories about starting and growing a business in Montgomery County. Your input is key. If you can’t attend the listening session, visit the 4Business website to provide feedback or send an email to 4business@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Motorcycles make up only three percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S. and account for less than one percent of all vehicle miles traveled annually, but they were involved in 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in the nation in 2017. Motorcyclists are inherently more at risk than motor vehicles because they lack many of the same safety features of automobiles. In May, Montgomery County is urging all motorists to increase their awareness in safely sharing the road as May is recognized as national “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month”.