Right move on disability payments

Editorial, Gazette, Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Two-tiered system would save money, create equity.

Given the sobering statistics about disability benefits for police officers brought to light in multiple reports from Montgomery's Office of the Inspector General, the County Council is long overdue for action to reform the payment system.
 
In 2008, the inspector general reported that more than 60 percent of the 93 police officers who retired between July 1, 2004 and March 1, 2008, qualified for disability benefits, which pay at least two-thirds of an officer's salary. In the report, the inspector general wrote that the payment process exhibited "behavior that we believe a prudent person would consider abusive."

To help curb any abuses, council members Phil Andrews, Duchy Trachtenberg, Valerie Ervin and Roger Berliner are pushing for a bill to create a two-tiered system — currently in place for the county's firefighters — that would grant lesser benefits for officers with less severe injuries.

According to the proposal, a total incapacity benefit would be awarded if the disability would prevent the employee from working for at least one year. Partial incapacity would be awarded for employees who are unable to perform at least one essential function of his or her current job, but who could be employed elsewhere.

A partial incapacity benefit would be at least 52.5 percent of final earnings annually; a total incapacity benefit of at least 70 percent of final earnings annually. The bill is prospective, meaning that officers now receiving benefits would continue with their current payments.

In all, the changes could save the county about $1.5 million in police disability payments.

But this bill is about more than financial savings. It's a matter of just and proper treatment for employees who have been injured, based on their ability to function in the workplace. The idea that an officer who loses use of a trigger finger should receive the same treatment as one who is wholly paralyzed conflicts with accepted principles of equity.

The County Council has been moving in a positive direction in changing some of the practices that bleed dollars bit by bit, like the repeal of pension benefits based on cost of living increases that were never given and the elimination of misused tuition assistance programs. Creating a tiered disability payment system for police would be another step.

Click here to read the article on the Gazette.

Montgomery's hobbled police

Editorial, Washington Post, Monday, August 2, 2010

MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S police force includes many dedicated and excellent officers. To the naked eye, most seem to be in fine physical condition. This must be an illusion, however, since so many of them continue to retire with full disability benefits, imposing a heavy cost on the county.

Between 2004 and 2008, about three in five county police officers were granted disability status upon retirement, meaning they receive two-thirds of their salary for life, tax-free. These numbers are without equal in other police departments around the region, including Prince George's County, where large majorities of officers manage to make it to retirement in good health despite a crime rate much higher than Montgomery's.

After this racket was exposed in the media two years ago, the numbers fell off, but only by a little. In the most recent fiscal year, which ended June 30, 18 of the 44 Montgomery police employees who retired were granted disability status -- in some instances for injuries, including relatively minor ones, that took place many years earlier. Keep in mind that in the past, some of these disabled retirees have gone on to land full-time employment, sometimes with other law enforcement agencies and often in roles that are physically demanding.

Of course, this scam gouges taxpayers -- just one of a number run by police officers under the protection of a union that jealously guards the perks of its dues-paying members. In a report released almost two years ago, the county's inspector general, Thomas J. Dagley, found police conduct in claiming disabilities that a "prudent person would consider abusive."

Still, it has continued. Last year, the Montgomery County Council, in thrall as usual to public employee unions, shied away from legislation to address it. And this year, the Fraternal Order of Police refused to relinquish the benefit in contract negotiations despite the disgrace it has earned the department.

Now the county has another chance to correct this abuse. Two council members, Duchy Trachtenberg (At Large) and Phil Andrews (Gaithersburg-Rockville), both Democrats, are introducing legislation that sensibly distinguishes between serious and minor disabilities, so that an officer with an injured finger is not treated in the same way as one paralyzed from the neck down.

The bill also prohibits officers guilty of firing offenses from claiming disability retirements, as they can now. (One such officer, Sgt. Jacqueline Davey, was granted a disability pension last month despite facing trial on charges that she stole more than $10,000 by billing the county for hours she didn't work. Sgt. Davey has denied the charges.)

The legislation will not come up for a vote before the fall, but already a majority of council members have expressed support for it. We urge every member of the council to sign on as a co-sponsor.

Click here to read the article on the Washington Post.

MFP Committee Recommends Six Year Balanced Fiscal Plan and New Reserve Policy

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Thursday, June 24th at 10:00 a.m. The Committee considered efforts to stabilize County finances to withstand future economic challenges. Specifically, the MFP Committee discussed the following:

• Resolution to Approve Reserve and Selected Fiscal Policies
• Bill 36-10, Finance – Revenue Stabilization Fund – Amendments
• Tax Supported Fiscal Plan Summary for the FY11-16 Public Services Program
• Office of Legislative Oversight’s FY11 Work Program

Council Staff represented at the MFP meeting included Steve Farber, Council Staff Director; Robert Drummer, Senior Legislative Attorney; Chuck Sherer, Legislative Analyst; Karen Orlansky, Office of Legislative Oversight Director and Leslie Rubin, Legislative Analyst. Executive Staff represented at the MFP meeting included Jennifer Barrett, Finance Director; Joseph Beach, Office of Management and Budget Director; Karen Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer and Alex Espinosa, Operating Budget Coordinator.

The MFP Committee recommended approval of the Resolution to Approve Reserve and Selected Fiscal Policies with amendments and recommends approval of Bill 36-10, Finance – Revenue Stabilization Fund with amendments. The Committee also recommended approval of the Resolution on the Tax Supported Fiscal Plan Summary with amendments. Finally, the MFP Committee discussed the work program for the Office of Legislative Oversight. The conversation focused on the report for the County Council on the structural budget deficit.

The full County Council will take action on both resolutions and Bill 36-10 on Tuesday, June 29th. This County Council session is open to the public.

“Today the MFP Committee took important, strategic steps to place Montgomery County on the road to financial resiliency. We approved new fiscal policies that will define our County as fiscally prudent and economically strong. In addition, we will concentrate on results-based budgeting and performance measures. Montgomery County may not look the same in future years, but our County will emerge financially stronger than ever before.”

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.

District 18 Breakfast Club

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was the guest speaker at the District 18 Breakfast Club that met at the Tastee Diner on Cameron Street in Silver Spring at 7:30 am on Monday, June 14th.

The Councilmember spoke with the group about the formidable work ahead regarding the county’s budget and the need for Montgomery County to significantly re-structure how the county does business moving forward. She talked about the various reasons for the challenging budget conditions facing the county; from the historic downturn in the over all economy to the unsustainable growth in government that was taking place in previous years when the county’s revenue situation was not the concern it is today.

Councilmember Trachtenberg also talked about the challenge of increasing the county’s reserves to 10% from the previous levels of 6% which is the recommendation from the Bond Rating Agencies and must be accomplished in order for our county to maintain its AAA Bond Rating in the years ahead.

She took several questions from the audience that touched on a range of topics from economic development to the huge portion of the county’s budget for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to the future of some of the county’s non-profits and the future of the Costco development proposal for Westfield Mall in Wheaton.

Naomi Bloch and Alan Bowser of the Tracthenberg staff attended the breakfast with Councilmember Trachtenberg.

County Council Town Hall at Leisure World

This afternoon, I joined my Council colleagues for a televised Town Hall meeting at Leisure World in Silver Spring. The program was very well attended by Leisure World residents, and I saw many, many friends there. The women and men who live there always ask insightful questions of their guests and today was no exception.

Among the many questions asked—and answered—were those related to transportation and traffic, economic development, the growing deer population, senior services, the Costco project, the future of the Sligo Creek Golf Course, the Veterans Park in Wheaton, and County budget issues.

Many thanks to the Leisure World community for their warm welcome and their continuing interest in our work.

Management and Fiscal Policy Committee to Discuss Revenue Stabilization Fund on Mon., June 14

MFP Committee Will Begin Examining Whether County Should Have a Long-Term Goal of a 10 Percent Reserve

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 14, 2010—On May 27, the Montgomery County Council adopted a $4.3 billion total County operating budget for Fiscal Year 2011 that concluded the most difficult budget year since the adoption of the current County Charter in 1968. On Monday, June 14, the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee will begin to examine one of several proposals that could help the County lessen problems if it encounters difficult budget years in the long-term future.

The MFP Committee, which is chaired by Duchy Trachtenberg and includes Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and Nancy Navarro, will meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the Seventh Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

County Executive Isiah Leggett in May proposed having the County increase its reserve to 10 percent of adjusted governmental revenue. If the plan is adopted, the reserve could be gradually increased over a nine-year period. The FY11 budget will include a 6 percent reserve.

An increased reserve would better position the County in case of dramatic decreases in revenue, such as the combined decreases that created a budget shortfall of almost $1 billion before the Council achieved a balanced budget for FY11. Another benefit of an increased reserve would be to strengthen the County’s position when financial institutions determine the County’s bond rating.

Thank you, Greater Olney Civic Association!

I was honored to attend the meeting of the Greater Olney Civic Association last night in Olney. It was good to see so many old friends and to meet new people. We had a good conversation about the FY11 operating budget just approved by the Council and the complex fiscal issues facing the County. Among many things, we talked about the factors related to the decline in County income tax revenues and State revenue write-downs, the future cuts in county programs and services, the County’s reserve policy, the MCPS budget, and the critical need to look at restructuring of County government.

Many thanks to President Matt Zaborsky for the kind invitation to attend the GOCA meeting and the opportunity to talk with the GOCA representatives and neighbors.

Learn more about the Olney Civic Association, visit their website at http://www.goca.org/.

Celebrating the Kiwanis Club’s 43rd Charter Day Celebration at Leisure World

I had the great honor and privilege of addressing the 43rd Charter Day Celebration of the Kiwanis Club of Leisure World this afternoon. Many thanks to the Charter Day Committee comprised of Senator Leonard Teitelbaum, Chair; Norma Flaherty, Virginia DeMatteo, Ed Laskin, Anita McFarlane, Elaine Noss, and Nell Reid. The Kiwanis are a wonderful service resource in our community, and I was thrilled to be with them for their Charter Day Celebration.

Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It comprises approximately 8,000 clubs in 96 countries with over 260,000 adult members. The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents” and was coined from an American Indian expression, Nunc Kee-wanis. This was originally the motto of Kiwanis, translated as "We build." The current motto is "serving the children of the world".

For more information about the Kiwanis Club, check out http://www.kiwanis.org/.

Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the 43rd Charter Day Celebration at the Kiwanis Club of Leisure World, May 14, 2010

County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was the featured speaker at the Kiwanis Club’s Charter Day Celebration at Leisure World. Her remarks from the luncheon event follow.

When I raised my hand back in December of 2006 to take the oath of office, I understood the obligation I had to the residents of Montgomery County. For me, it was a continuation of my life’s work. During these last four years, I have strived to put people first and I have been hard-working and deliberate in my legislative actions, always willing to speak truth to power.

My priorities have been centered around children-their supports in school and out of school; public safety; public transportation; healthy and sustainable development; and the vulnerable, our most needy residents.

An example of this is the role I played in spearheading the Montgomery County Family Justice Center project into a reality. This is a clearinghouse facility that consolidates services for domestic violence victims and their children. In its first year of operation, over 1400 victims from over 100 countries have been served.

I helped lead the effort to reform our disability retirement system. I helped ensure that our procedures are based on a sound, public health foundation; that this important retirement benefit is preserved for those that are eligible; and that all employees have equitable access to the best medical practices.

As the Chair of the Council’s Management & Fiscal Policy Committee, I have worked with colleagues and the Executive branch to define over 2 billion dollars in savings during the first three budget cycles and presently I am playing an important role in defining our long-term fiscal plan in these most challenging times.

When I came to the Council building, I didn’t just want to fill an empty chair, I came to change lives. I believe I have done just that and I know each and every one of you are committed to that principle as well. We understand the virtue of the a well-known teaching from the Torah: “If you save one life, you save the world."

So the question today is “How do we make that commitment in this fiscal climate and complex world?”

We are at a fiscal moment where we can no longer maintain a perfect world, but a decent one where the needs of our residents come first. This will require hard choices but it also provides us with an opportunity-an opportunity to change the political conversation and consequently political will. This is one of those rare political moments when we get to define a new community order.

It’s important to note that everyone can have a voice in that, in small ways and in big ways. We can bring our voice to community organizations; we can participate in our spiritual house activities and provide influence; we can engage with our elected leaders on every level; we can contribute in meaningful activities that give back to our communities; and we can exercise our most precious right-the right to vote in every election. The power to change the world is in all of our hands, not just in mine.

On the Council level, we are struggling with a very difficult financial reality-a billion dollar deficit. We are experiencing a fiscal meltdown resulting from a number of factors. Here in Montgomery County, our tax revenue continues to shrink because of many national trends. In this year alone, our income tax revenue has declined by 21%.

Having less money to spend forces us to reduce county programming. This means our county government will surely look different in the coming years. It does mean less library hours, reduced transit hours, less social service programming for the needy. It will finally force political forces to address the unsustainable nature of the compensation and benefits we have promised to our public employees.

This all sounds challenging but here is the good news: The Executive and Legislative branches have identified three core priorities in this fiscal climate: education; public safety; and the vulnerable. This allows us to truly put people first, understanding that our investments in the people we serve and our commitment to the future in prioritizing our children’s education are of paramount importance.

This moment of crisis also helps us identify leadership we can count on. In the years of the Great Depression, we found FDR. In the turmoil of the 60’s we located JFK. And in 2008, we looked at President Obama for his inspirational and poised leadership. And in 2010, here in Montgomery County, we will need to look at our local leadership and see who has risen to meet the moment; who has seized the opportunity to change that community order; and who has the wisdom to understand that the best policy choices come from both the brain and the heart.

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. Let’s have faith in one another and extend our hand in friendship to all of those in our community. Let’s work together because together, we will accomplish extraordinary things.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Speaks at the Beth El Men’s Club Breakfast

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee and Member of the Health and Human Services Committee, spent Sunday morning at Beth El Congregation in Bethesda, MD. Councilmember Trachtenberg was the featured speaker for Beth El’s weekly men’s club breakfast. Over bagels, cream cheese and lox, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed “Budget Challenges: 2010 and Beyond.” Over forty congregants attended the men’s club breakfast to learn about the deteriorating fiscal situation in Montgomery County. Councilmember Trachtenberg gave a strong and honest overview of the budget situation and then entertained questions. Many of the questions focused on the school system, direct social services and taxes. Moreover, there was a discussion of the different responsibilities between county elected officials and state elected officials. After the breakfast concluded, the president of the men’s club presented Councilmember Trachtenberg with a kosher, Israeli wine and thanked her for her time. For more information on Beth El Congregation, please go to http://www.bethelmc.org/ or call 301-652-2606.

For more information on the issues discussed at this breakfast, please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee Meeting Today

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, will meet on Today, Monday, April 12th at 2 pm to discuss the FY11 Operating Budget. Specifically, the Committee will consider the Office of Management and Budget, Debt Service and NDAs: Grants to Municipalities in Lieu of Shares, Tax Services, and Restricted Donations. The meeting will take place in the third floor conference room of the County Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville.

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or Laurie.Edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP Committee session.

Trachtenberg to Begin Review on Montgomery County FY11 HHS Operating Budget

On Monday April 12th, 9:30AM, the Health and Human Services Committee, on which Councilmember Trachtenberg serves, meets to begin deliberations on the FY11 HHS Operating Budget. The following is on the agenda:

• Health and Human Services: Administration and Public Health Services (includes Minority Health Initiatives)

The meeting will be held in the third floor Council Conference Room [3CCR] of the Council Office Building in Rockville; and will be televised live on County Cable Montgomery.

Please contact Saschane Stephenson, Legislative Aide for Health and Human Services, at 240-777-7963 (direct dial) or saschane.stephenson@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this HHS Committee session.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Speaks at the Latin American Advisory Group Meeting

Councilmember Trachtenberg was the guest speaker at last night’s meeting of the Latin American Advisory Group which took place at the Community Partnerships office, 255 Rockville Pike, Suite 102 in downtown Rockville.

Councilmember Trachtenberg updated the group on the current budget challenges facing the county in her capacity as chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee on the County Council. After her remarks, a Q&A session took place during which time the group members updated her on the budget priorities for this community.

The discussion ranged from public private partnerships being one way that the community’s social services needs could be better maintained in light of the inevitable funding changes these difficult economic times will bring to how small businesses could be better helped and supported and the idea of creating a small business advisory group was proposed.

Councilmember Trachtenberg emphasized that collaboration between all the various sectors; public, private and non-profit, will be necessary in the months and years ahead as the work toward the fundamental restructuring of county government progresses.

For more information about the Latin American Advisory Group, click here.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Discusses County Budget Issues at Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg attended the monthly meeting of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board held at the Long Branch Community Library on Garland Avenue in Silver Spring.

In her remarks to the Board, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed a broad range of issues including the recently approved FY10 Savings Plan recommended by the County Executive and the FY11 Operating Budget to be transmitted to the County Council next week. She described the range of possible types of cuts that might be recommended by the Executive and commented that the Montgomery County Government would look very different after the County closes its $761 million budget gap.

With regard to Silver Spring issues, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed the Silver Spring Library, the Sligo Creek Golf Course Task Force Report, the progress of the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza, the Fillmore Project, the Old Blair Auditorium Project, and the Purple Line. In response to questions from Board members she discussed ambulance fees, transit needs, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and ways to increase ground level retail in downtown development.

Before the meeting, Councilmember Trachtenberg toured the Long Branch Community Library and observed the very high demand for computer use by residents in the diverse neighborhood. After the meeting, she had dinner at Samantha’s, a popular restaurant near the intersection of Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard. Alan Bowser, our Chief of Staff and a former member of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, accompanied Councilmember Trachtenberg to the Long Branch event.

Councilmember Trachtenberg To Attend Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board

Councilmember Trachtenberg will discuss the Montgomery County budget at tonight's meeting of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board.

The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at the Long Branch Community Library, 8800, Garland Avenue, Silver Spring.

Duchy at the Diner – Silver Spring

Today’s “Duchy at the Diner” event at the Tastee Diner in Silver Spring was a huge success. More than 30 people filled a meeting room joining Duchy for coffee, food and informal conversation at the Silver Spring landmark on Cameron Street.

In her remarks to the group, Councilmember Trachtenberg focused on the dire state of the County’s financial situation and its unavoidable impact on the County Executive’s proposed Operating Budget that will be transmitted to the County Council later this month. She reiterated her support for County Executive’s budget priorities—public safety, education, and protecting the most vulnerable.

The question and answer period was wide-ranging and included discussion about the Sligo Creek Golf Course, the Silver Spring Library, Long Branch development, the Family Justice Center, health care, domestic violence, and the County’s budget.

Duchy at the Diner – Silver Spring was the second in a touring series of “diner” events planned throughout Montgomery County.

Overview of Montgomery County's Budget and Revenue Outlook for FY11

County Executive Ike Leggett and Chief Administrative Officer Tim Firestine presented an update of the County's fiscal situation for FY10-11. Joining them was OMB Director Joe Beach, Finance Director Jennifer Barrett, and their colleagues. This update set the stage for the March 15 transmittal of the Executive's recommended FYIl operating budget.

This update reflects the increasingly heavy toll that the Great Recession has taken on State and County revenues, as it has for governments nationwide.

The complete fiscal update presentation, including the latest changes in revenue and expenditure data, is found here.

To view the presentation on County Cable Montgomery Online video, click here.

Maryland Receives $14.8 Million for Transportation Projects From Federal Recovery Act Funds that will Benefit Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties

Last week, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that Maryland will receive $14.8 million under the competitive TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant Program designated for innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects. The TIGER application was submitted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on behalf of its member jurisdictions and the states of Maryland and Virginia.

The funds will be used to construct three projects benefiting Montgomery and Prince George’s counties: the Takoma Langley Transit Center, a major transit hub for Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system, and priority bus corridor enhancements along University Boulevard and Veirs Mill Road.

“These additional federal resources will help us to advance important transit options in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Ike Leggett.

The Takoma Langley Transit Center project received $12.3 million to supplement matching funds of $2.5 million each from Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and $7.3 million from WMATA’s Transportation Infrastructure Investments fund. The transit center will be located at the intersection of University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue, on the border of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The eight bus stops and 11 bus routes that currently serve this location is the busiest non-Metrorail transit terminal in the region. The project will consolidate these scattered bus stops at the heavily used bus transfer point into one facility that will also serve as a station on the future Purple Line. The new facility will have bus bays, pedestrian walkways, a full canopy, restrooms, lighting and real time bus information.

TIGER funds will also provide 100 percent of project funding for two other projects: $1.26 million for
University Boulevard in both counties and $265,000 for Veirs Mill Road for priority bus corridor enhancements. These two corridors are among those identified by WMATA as having the majority of bus riders in the region. To improve speed and reliability, these corridors will be enhanced by queue jumpers, traffic transit signal priority timing, bus stop improvements and real time bus information.

TIGER funds are part of President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, designed to generate significant economic and environmental benefits and invest in America’s infrastructure, green economy and public education system. In particular, the areas served by these projects are in economically distressed areas, and the residents will be served through better connections to job centers throughout the region.

TIGER fund projects were selected based on their contribution to the economic competitiveness of the nation, improving safety and the condition of the existing transportation system, increasing quality of life, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrating strong collaboration among a broad range of participants, including the private sector.

Ride On Fares to Increase March 1; Proposed Ride On Route Changes Avoided

Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system will change its fares on March 1 to coordinate with the introduction of a new fare structure by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro). The Ride On fare changes are designed to make transfers between Metrobus and Ride On simpler and less confusing by keeping fares for the two transit systems compatible. Changes include an increase of 10 cents per trip (from $1.25 to $1.35 for fares paid with a SmartTrip® Card and from $1.35 to $1.45 for fares paid with cash or tokens).

Other fare changes that begin March 1 will:

• Increase Metrorail to Ride On transfers from 75 cents to 85 cents.

• Increase the Ride On Day Pass from $3.00 to $3.20.

• Increase the Ride On express route fare for Route 70 (Milestone in Germantown to Bethesda) from $3.00 to $3.10 with a SmartTrip® Card, and from $3.10 to $3.20 for fares paid with cash or tokens.

In addition, a change to the Call and Ride program will allow low income residents to continue to purchase two books of taxi vouchers worth $60 for as little as $5.25 in March and May, and one book in April and June.

To help close the County’s projected budget gap of more than $600 million for fiscal year 2010, the elimination of some of Ride On’s routes was proposed beginning March 1. However, additional revenues were identified, including the coordination of fare increases from Metro, so these route eliminations have been avoided for this fiscal year that ends June 30.

For more information, go to Ride On’s website at www.RideOnBus.com or contact the Transit Information Center at 240-777-RIDE (7433).

Youth Town Hall Meeting a Great Success!

On Wednesday, February 3, High School and Middle School students from across the County were able to express views on a vast amount of issues and ask questions of County Council Councilmembers. Over 400 students attended the meeting at the Council Office Building in Rockville.

The County Council, which for the past several years has held Town Hall Meetings throughout the County in its efforts to find out what issues most concern residents, learned yesterday what is on the mind of younger residents when it hosted its first-ever Town Hall Meeting for Students. This was the first Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Council in 2010.

Some of the issues raised at the Town Hall Meeting were

• County and school budget
• Maintenance of Effort
• Jobs
• Gaithersburg West Master Plan
• Wheaton redevelopment
• White Flint Master Plan
• Health care/insurance for people under the age of 18
• School safety
• College education
• Staying and living in Montgomery County
• Magnet schools
• Environmental issues
• After school programs
• Sports Academy
• Intervention and prevention programs
• Libraries
• Places/venues for young people
• Role models
• School-based services
• And many other topics

Some of the participants asked their questions in Spanish and some Councilmembers also responded in Spanish to these specific questions. Wil Gutierrez from the Trachtenberg Office interpreted the questions from Spanish to English.

The meeting was open to high school and middle school students from around the County. The meeting allowed the participants to let Councilmembers know how they feel about specific issues and also provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Councilmembers in an organized, but informal, setting.

Participants also had the opportunity to speak with Councilmembers at a reception before the meeting. Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and her colleagues also stayed after the meeting to converse with parents and students.

The meeting was broadcasted live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM) and will rebroadcast at various times in the following weeks on Channel 6 or 30. The program was also broadcasted live on simulcast on Network partners at Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College. Susan Kennedy, a producer for the county station, moderated the meeting.

Watch the Youth Town Hall Meeting online.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and some of the students at the Town Hall Meeting