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Schools Among Top County Funding Priorities
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Beyond the massive Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transitway projects, the county is looking for help building an interchange at Georgia Avenue and Randolph Road and an extended interchange at Interstate 270 and Watkins Mill Road.
On the legislative front, several Montgomery County lawmakers plan to resurrect the smart growth land-use and transportation policies promoted by Ehrlich's Democratic predecessor, Parris N. Glendening.
"During the Ehrlich administration, we saw that flag brought down to half-mast," said Del. William A. Bronrott (D-Montgomery).
Bronrott said he would join Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) in backing legislation to impose stricter standards on auto emissions than those required by the federal government. The proposal is expected to be the signature issue for environmental and health advocates, who are pressing Maryland to join 11 other states that have adopted tougher regulations to curb air pollution.
Montgomery's new faces in the General Assembly also intend to bring fresh ideas. American University law professor Jamie Raskin (D), who will succeed Sen. Ida G. Ruben (D), said he wants Maryland to lead the nation in voter registration. He plans to introduce legislation that would allow residents as young as 16 to register, while leaving the voting age at 18.
"We'd get them registered and on the rolls before they leave high school and then make it the responsibility of schools to get everybody registered," Raskin said.
As a Capitol Hill aide, Sen.-elect Mike Lenett (D) had a hand in writing the federal ban on assault weapons. At the State House, he said, he plans to introduce a statewide ban to pick up where the expired federal measure left off.
Lenett also wants to pass legislation, similar to rules in the District, that would require all drivers to use hands-free technology to talk on their cellphones.
"A lot of accidents are caused by distracted drivers who are speaking on cellphones," Lenett said. "I don't think it would be a big imposition."
