Montgomery Delegation to Ask General Assembly for $134 Million for Renovations and New Buildings
By Ann E. Marimow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 4, 2007
With the inauguration this month of Democrat Martin O'Malley as Maryland's 61st governor, Montgomery County's all-Democratic legislative team has high hopes for the General Assembly session that begins next week in Annapolis.
Local legislative leaders are preparing initiatives to lower the voter registration age to 16, take junk food out of school cafeterias and tighten tailpipe emissions standards, in addition to asking the new governor for millions of dollars to build a Rockville courthouse and a music venue in Silver Spring.
At the top of their list, state lawmakers say, are two pricey campaign promises: $400 million for school construction and full funding of the state school aid formula approved in 2002.
Last year, Montgomery received $40 million to build and renovate schools. This year, the delegation is asking for $134 million.
"It's a big jump, but that is our need. That's what the county is ready and willing to build," said Sen. Patrick J. Hogan (D-Montgomery), the vice chairman of the budget committee.
The state's largest jurisdiction stands to gain $30 million to $35 million in state education funding if O'Malley decides to pay for a geographic component of the school aid formula that accounts for factors such as the cost of living and the difficulty attracting teachers to low-performing schools. For neighboring Prince George's, as much as $43 million is at stake.
Outgoing Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) has never allotted money for the geographic formula, a distinction O'Malley drew during his campaign.
"He's said, 'We're going to do it,' " said Sen.-elect Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery), who will join Hogan on the powerful budget panel. "Unfortunately, the budget realities might make it difficult for O'Malley."
The governor must present a budget blueprint on Jan. 19, just days after taking office. And projections show the state facing a $400 million shortfall for fiscal 2008 and a $1.6 billion gap the following year.
County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) arrived at O'Malley's transition office in Baltimore last month with a long list of transportation and construction projects he hopes the new governor will support, and a goal of changing the statewide perception that Montgomery is wealthy enough to pay for such projects on its own.
"We have tremendous needs, and he appreciates that," Leggett said, emerging from the hour-long meeting with O'Malley.
Among the county's big-ticket items: $62 million for a new Rockville district courthouse; $40 million for Montgomery College, including a science center on the Rockville campus; and $2 million to open a Birchmere Music Hall in Silver Spring.
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."
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