In 1986, seven County Council candidates ran as a slate called Team for Montgomery: incumbents Neal Potter, Rose Crenca, Mike Gudis and Bill Hanna and challengers Bruce Adams, Mike Subin and Ike Leggett. All seven won. The slate members served a combined 108 years on the council and 8 years (and counting) in the Executive's office, making this perhaps MoCo's most successful political team ever. Here's their joint lit piece.
Showing posts with label Ike Leggett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ike Leggett. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Team for Montgomery, 1986
Friday, November 19, 2010
Ike Leggett for County Council, 1986
This is a mailer from Ike Leggett's first campaign for an at-large County Council seat in 1986. Leggett finished second that year and finished first in his next three races. Leggett's record of winning six county-wide elections has been surpassed only by Neal Potter, who served six terms on the council and one as County Executive.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Leggett: Deficit "Close to $200 Million"
Following is a memo from County Executive Ike Leggett to Council President Nancy Floreen on Montgomery County's growing budget deficit. In the memo, Leggett estimates that the voters' repeal of the ambulance fee, rising enrollment at MCPS and likely cutbacks in federal aid and spending will inflate the FY 2012 deficit from $145 million to close to $200 million. Revenue from the ambulance fee was included in this year's budget and its repeal will probably necessitate mid-year cuts. Leggett does not account for a possible state handoff of teacher pensions.
MEMORANDUM
November 10, 2010
TO: Nancy Floreen, President, County Council
FROM: Isiah Leggett, County Executive
SUBJECT: FY11 Savings Plan
Per our recent conversation and discussion I will be submitting to the Council in December an updated and more comprehensive savings plan. This savings plan will respond not only to the loss of Emergency Medical Services Transport Fee revenues (EMST fee), but also account for other material factors that are adding to the FY12 budget gap including potential reductions to County tax revenues and continued stagnation in the unemployment rate and the local and national economy. In late September, the County’s fiscal team provided a fiscal update to the Council that indicated that the projected gap for FY12 was at least $145 million.
Since that time, we have been notified by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) that due to rising enrollment, the cost of complying with the State mandated Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement has increased by $13.5 million. Further, the results of the most recent national elections will very likely lead to a reduction in federal grants and other aid to the County and the State, reduced federal spending locally, as well as potential reductions in federal hiring and wages. All of these would adversely affect County income tax and other revenue streams.
I need to emphasize that the rejection of the EMST fee was not a one-time event, but had a multi-year continuing fiscal impact that must be addressed. This revenue loss has caused not only a significant fiscal imbalance of over $14 million in the current fiscal year, it will cause an imbalance in the planned FY12 operating budget of an additional $14 million, for a combined fiscal impact of over $28 million. Restoring balance in both the current year and in the out years of the approved fiscal plan requires immediate action to reduce spending. In addition, it should be noted that the EMST fee revenues were included in the materials presented to the rating agencies this spring where representations were made that the County would maintain a structurally balanced budget.
While uncertainties exist concerning the precise effect of these events on County revenues and the local economy, it is clear it will be a significant negative impact. When our revenue forecasts are completed over the next few weeks we will make appropriate adjustments to the previously submitted savings plan that will incorporate the most recent revenue and expenditure estimates. However, we must be cautious adjusting our overall revenue estimate based solely on one revenue distribution given that our project FY2012 budget gap is now estimated at close to $200 million.
The approach I am recommending with the FY11 savings plan is consistent with our previous efforts. Each year since FY08 I have transmitted a mid-year savings plan in the fall to address both known problems in the current year as well as fiscal challenges projected for the coming year. Our joint efforts in this regard have been successful and we have managed to craft savings plans that have identified millions in cost reductions that have contributed substantially to resolving our budgetary challenges.
As in the past, I am open to discussing and working with the Council on revisions to the plan previously submitted to the Council. However, the process for approving these reductions should begin as soon as possible so that the appropriate steps can be taken by our departments to notify those affected by the cuts and begin conserving resources in the current year. We have only seven and one-half months to address a full year problem. The longer we defer action, the more difficult it will become to realize these savings. Inaction will require only larger reductions in services in FY12.
I understand the Council’s desire to avoid these spending cuts and the resulting reductions in County services, so do I. However, economic conditions, downward revenue trends, and the rejection of the EMST fee permit no alternative course of action to maintaining a responsible and balanced budget. My recommended course of action reflects our commitments to the taxpayers as well as the rating agencies.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
DED for the Ambulance Fee
County Executive Ike Leggett used the Department of Economic Development's (DED) email system to send the following message yesterday about Question A, the ballot question on the ambulance fee.
e-Alert
October 27, 2010
Dear County Businessperson:
Montgomery County is facing an important issue that could have an adverse impact on our businesses, so I wanted to take a moment to give you the facts. County Question A concerns the County’s Emergency Medical Services Transport fee, which was passed by the County Council.
With the EMS Transport Fee, we have only three choices:
1) Approve the Fee so the County can recover ambulance transport costs from premiums already paid to insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid that amounts to $14 million this year and $170 million over the next 10 years. All revenues would be dedicated, by law, to strengthen our Fire & Rescue Service.
2) Without the Fee, cut an additional $14 million in critical services out of the County’s current year budget. According to the plan submitted on October 5 by County Executive Leggett to the County Council, the result could be $6 million in cuts to our County’s Fire & Rescue Service and a loss of 89 career firefighter paramedic positions. That will affect ambulance response times, making all of us less safe.
3) Without the Fee, raise taxes. County Executive Leggett has said that County residents already pay a Fire Tax and that there’s no reason to increase taxes when $14 million is there on the table in insurance reimbursements.
Recovering EMS Transport Fees from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid makes good business sense. Nearly every jurisdiction in the Washington region is already collecting millions of dollars in these reimbursements – with no adverse effects. They are using those resources to save lives – and Montgomery County should do the same. We cannot afford to leave this money on the table.
Let me be clear. Contrary to what you might have heard, if County Question A is approved, no County resident will ever get a bill for ambulance transport, co-pays or deductibles -- whether they have insurance or not. And, there is no evidence that insurance premiums have risen because of implementation of a cost recovery program, because ambulance transport fees are already paid through most policies or coverage.
The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, which for many of us is the “gold standard” for the public interest, supports the County’s ambulance reimbursement program. So, too, do editorials in the Washington Post and the Gazette newspapers.
County Question A is about protecting our families, our businesses, and our property – at no additional cost to County businesses or residents. Learn more at: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/emstransportfee.
Sincerely,
Isiah Leggett
County Executive
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Leggett Speaks Out on Ambulance Fee Ballot Question
County Executive Ike Leggett sent out this message on the ambulance fee ballot question through the county government's email subscription service.
October 28, 2010
Dear County Resident:
I want to inform you of an important issue facing the County that could have an adverse impact on every County resident.
Many of you are aware that the November ballot will contain County Question A. The Question gives voters the opportunity to decide whether County Council Bill 13-10: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Transport Fee, which passed in May, should remain law.
Under the law, the County would be allowed to recover ambulance transport costs from premiums already paid to insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid -- $14 million this year and $170 million over the next 10 years. All revenues would be dedicated, by law, to strengthen our Fire & Rescue Service. No County resident will ever get a bill for ambulance transport, co-pays or deductibles -- whether they have insurance or not.
The Montgomery Fire & Rescue Service will continue to serve anybody in need, regardless of ability to pay – whether rich or poor or in-between, whether County resident or not. Just like now. Nothing will change – except that our Fire & Rescue Service will have more resources in meet critical future needs for staffing, equipment, and to improve EMS response times.
Nearly every jurisdiction in the Washington region collects millions of dollars in ambulance reimbursements from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid – with no adverse effects. (Click here to see the Washington Post story on Thursday, “Area Fire Chiefs Back Ambulance Fee: 911 Calls Unaffected”.)
Our neighbors are using those resources to save lives – and Montgomery County should do the same. We cannot afford to leave this money on the table.
The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County agrees. So too does the Montgomery County Fire Fighters and Paramedics, Local 1664. Click here to see editorials in the Washington Post and in The Gazette newspapers supporting County ambulance reimbursement.
There are basically three choices:
1. Approve ambulance reimbursement from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid to bring in $14 million this year and $170 million over the next ten years;
2. Reduce critical County services, including public safety; or
3. Increase taxes.
I choose the first option. It just makes sense.
As I travel around the County, I meet many residents who have asked for facts and accurate information on the EMS Transport Fee. For more information, you can go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/emstransportfee.
Whatever your perspective, please vote in the upcoming general elections as they are critical to our ability to maintain Montgomery County as the special place it is today to live, work, play, and age with dignity. In addition to voting in person on Tuesday, November 2 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at your polling location, you may vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballot request forms can be downloaded here and must be returned by October 26, 2010.
This year, for the first time, you may cast your vote at any one of the Early Voting Centers in the County between Friday, October 22 and Thursday, October 28 from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. (except Sunday, October 24). I urge you to consider joining the thousands of County voters who will be taking advantage of this highly efficient means of carrying out our civic duty.
Sincerely,
Ike Leggett
County Executive
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Leggett Opposes Ehrlich's Cut for MoCo Schools
County Executive Ike Leggett released the following statement today on Bob Ehrlich's proposed cut to state aid for Montgomery County Public Schools.
Former Governor Bob Ehrlich’s proposal to eliminate Maryland’s Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) will cost Montgomery County 32 million a year -- or $320 million over the next ten years. Over the past three years, Montgomery County has received over $80 million.
All Marylanders should be concerned with this short-sighted and damaging view of education funding which will be felt by parents, students, and teachers across Montgomery County and in other jurisdictions where the costs of educating our kids are higher.
Our school systems are already hard-pressed to meet present and future needs. This kind of action would just dig the hole that much deeper. Our kids are our future. We can’t afford to shortchange them.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Ike Leggett's Journal Profile, 1990
In 1990, then-freshman Council Member Ike Leggett was running for reelection. Here is what Leggett had to say in the Montgomery Journal about his goals for his second term.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Campaign Finance Fun Facts
Here’s a few tidbits from the immense State Board of Elections campaign finance database!
1. Marc Elrich has long disavowed development industry contributions and Duchy Trachtenberg told Progressive Neighbors that she was also turning them away. But Elrich took $3,000 from the Maryland Realtors PAC on 8/13/10 and Trachtenberg took $3,000 from them on the same day. Aren’t realtors part of the development industry since someone has to sell all those buildings the developers put up?
OK, reasonable people can disagree on that question, but Trachtenberg also took $1,000 on 5/11/10 from HBW Group of Rockville, a “commercial real estate and construction company.”
Now that is indisputably development money. So Trachtenberg snowed Progressive Neighbors and got away with it since they endorsed her. Do they have the balls to retract their endorsement or are they just going to lie down and get played?
2. Our informants are baffled by Duchy Trachtenberg’s spending. She started the year with $289,198 – far more than any other candidate and mostly raised out-of-state in four-digit checks. Since then, she has spent more on tracking polls and consulting ($35,000) than she has on printing, direct mail and postage ($33,817). Contrast her printing, mailing and postage total to those of Senator Mike Lenett ($129,378) and Delegate Saqib Ali ($104,876), each of whom is running in a district that is one-eighth of the county. Trachtenberg’s ads in Bethesda Magazine, Washington Jewish Week, Leisure World News and Takoma Park Voice – purchased for a combined cost of just $7,230 – have been no substitute for the robust mail program she could have afforded. She has done just one mass mailing and was, incredibly, beaten to the mailbox by Becky Wagner.
As of August 29, Trachtenberg was sitting on $209,629 with just sixteen days left to spend it. Television could consume that amount of money rapidly, but we have seen no sign of any such ads. And it’s getting late – VERY late. Some sources are speculating that she is so sure of victory that she is saving the money for a County Executive run. Unless she has a grand strategy that has not shown up in her finance reports, she could very well be the richest loser in MoCo history.
3. County Executive Ike Leggett and Marc Elrich have long been political allies even if they have had occasional disagreements. So Ike kicked in $2,500 to his campaign account on 8/19/10.
Well, just twelve days later, Elrich filed an affidavit to help 9:30 Club owner Seth Hurwitz obtain a temporary restraining order against Ike’s pet project, the Fillmore in Silver Spring. The Executive Branch was blindsided and immediately began investigating whether Elrich broke the ethics law by aiding a lawsuit against the county.
How’s that for gratitude? Is it too late for Ike to get his money back?
4. Speaking of the County Executive, he may not have a Democratic primary opponent or a slate, but he has given money to a number of candidates this year. They are:
Vanessa Atterbeary: $300 on 4/21/10 (given as an individual)
Bo Newsome: $6,000 on 7/8/10
Craig Rice: $3,000 on 7/12/10
Judy Docca: $1,000 on 8/2/10
Jay Hutchins: $1,000 on 8/3/10
Martin O’Malley: $4,000 on 8/10/10
Pat O’Neill: $1,000 on 8/11/10
Bonnie Cullison: $1,000 on 8/15/10
Marc Elrich: $2,500 on 8/19/10
Craig Rice: $250 on 8/22/10 (from Catherine Leggett)
Rona Kramer: $3,000 on 8/23/10
Mark Winston: $2,500 on 8/27/10
Bo Newsome: $250 on 8/29/10 (from Catherine Leggett)
One curiosity: A month after contributing to Atterbeary, Leggett endorsed the District 18 Democratic Team.
Another curiosity: Bo Newsome contributed $600 in “rent” to Leggett on 8/19/10.
5. Kyle Lierman reported having just $6,298 in the bank on 8/29/10. Ariana Kelly, his principal rival for the District 16 open Delegate seat, reported having $51,025. (That’s what self-financing can do for you!) Lierman had to replenish his coffers somehow, and we won’t find out how until after the election.
6. Senator Nancy King (D-39) paid $8,000 to Momentum Analysis of Washington, DC, the same polling firm that worked for Big Daddy’s tobacco-financed slate, on 8/12/10 as a “consulting fee.” The timing is interesting since the payment was made about two weeks before King launched her attack website against Ali. If this payment was indeed for a poll, did it say something that prompted King to go negative?
7. Here are the biggest recipients of campaign contributions (excluding loans) this year in MoCo.
Council Candidates
Hans Riemer: $171,392
Nancy Floreen: $146,838
George Leventhal: $111,338
Marc Elrich: $87,435
Craig Rice: $84,173
Senate Candidates
Nancy King: $116,105
Saqib Ali: $76,866
Brian Frosh: $54,623
Roger Manno: $53,769
Jamie Raskin: $51,251
Delegate Candidates
Kyle Lierman: $106,191
Mark Winston: $62,580
Hoan Dang: $56,723
Heather Mizeur: $55,718
Craig Zucker: $49,054
8. Here are the biggest spenders of campaign money this year.
Council Candidates
Becky Wagner: $126,119
Hans Riemer: $122,241
George Leventhal: $112,418
Nancy Floreen: $105,047
Duchy Trachtenberg: $94,709
Senate Candidates
Saqib Ali: $180,591
Mike Lenett: $174,185
Rob Garagiola: $134,139
Cheryl Kagan: $87,152
Nancy King: $84,322
Delegate Candidates
Vanessa Atterbeary: $129,780
Kyle Lierman: $99,893
Dana Beyer: $98,825
Hoan Dang: $89,195
Craig Zucker: $69,906
9. Here are the biggest self-funders of the cycle. This statistic includes contributions and loans to self from 2007 on, but does not include self-funding for the 2009 special election.
Council Candidates
Becky Wagner: $95,000 (from husband)
Hans Riemer: $50,000
Robin Ficker: $22,358
Jane de Winter: $17,115
Ilaya Hopkins: $12,500
Senate Candidates
Mike Lenett: $200,713
Rich Madaleno: $30,000
Michael Griffiths: $6,200
Delegate Candidates
Vanessa Atterbeary: $107,250
Ariana Kelly: $85,381 (includes $6,266 from husband)
Dana Beyer: $75,000
Charlie Chester: $55,000
Jay Hutchins: $47,772 (includes $2,635 from wife)
We’re sure there is a WHOLE lot more, but it’s time to go back to posting negative mail!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Police, Fire Fighters Picket Trachtenberg Again
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1664 and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 enjoyed picketing Duchy Trachtenberg’s campaign kickoff so much that they decided to do it again last night, this time at her joint fundraiser with Marc Elrich at McGinty’s. The unions were careful to make clear that they were picketing Trachtenberg and not Elrich. While the two unions have picketed other Council Members, Trachtenberg has provoked them in particular with her last-day introduction of a disability bill, her slamming the county’s entire public employee labor movement and her decision to cross the unions’ picket line in the past. Following are pictures of the picketers along with a special guest.
“Duchy Furloughs Working Moms”
“Why Doesn’t Duchy Support Women Candidates?”
“Don’t Furlough My Daddy”
Ike Leggett Crosses the Picket Line
“Duchy Voted for a Man to Have 4 Bodyguards but Abused Women to Have None”
This was fun, everybody! Let’s do it again!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Where Ike is Sending His Money
County Executive Ike Leggett has no serious opposition to reelection, but he is still raising lots of cash. Leggett started with $400,900 in January, raised $317,724 since then and finished with $609,950 on August 10. And Leggett is spreading that money around. Here are the beneficiaries of his generosity.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Ike Leggett Endorses Bonnie Cullison
County Executive Ike Leggett has endorsed District 19 Delegate candidate Bonnie Cullison, adding to her hulking pile of endorsements. Following is Cullison's press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 19, 2010
Contact: Pearlina Boyd
IKE LEGGETT ENDORES BONNIE CULLISON FOR STATE DELEGATE
Silver Spring, MD – Citing her effective leadership and sound judgment, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett announced his support today of Bonnie Cullison in her campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates. Leggett’s endorsement carries weight with many County voters who have seen his service for over three decades as chair of the Human Relations Commission, a County Councilmember and Council President, and now as County Executive.
Leggett praised Bonnie, calling her “a leader who we can count on in tough times. Bonnie is a committed public servant who truly has the best interests of the community at heart. During my time as County Executive, she and I have worked closely together to improve the quality of education in our schools. Moreover, her broader experience and understanding of county and state issues affecting all of our residents is particularly impressive. I firmly believe that she is the right choice to continue this fight in the state legislature for the people of District 19,” said Leggett.
Bonnie thanked Leggett for his endorsement and stated that she was honored to have the County Executive’s support. “Ike has always had the courage to stand up and do the right thing. I hope to take that same independent leadership style with me to Annapolis to bring back real results for Montgomery County and Maryland. I am truly grateful to have Ike’s support, and I look forward to again working with the County Executive to ensure that our residents have a strong voice in Annapolis,” Bonnie said.
This election will help to determine the quality of life for our residents and communities for years to come. Bonnie is running to ensure that we achieve stronger public schools, greater economic opportunity for small businesses, easier access to affordable health care for seniors and working families, and safer communities for us to live, work, and play.
Leggett joins former County Executive Doug Duncan, Progressive Maryland, our County’s teachers and service employees, and many other organizations and community leaders in supporting Bonnie’s vision for a stronger Maryland.
# # #
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
O'Malley, Leggett Endorse Craig Rice for Council
Governor Martin O'Malley and County Executive Ike Leggett have endorsed Delegate Craig Rice (D-15) for the District 2 (Upcounty) County Council seat. Following is Rice's press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2010
Contact: Steven Goldstein, 240-393-0200
O’Malley and Leggett endorse Craig Rice for County Council
Rockville, Maryland – Noting Delegate Craig Rice’s commitment to protecting his constituents in the Upcounty, his quest for greater fiscal accountability and his tireless advocacy for Montgomery County as a whole, Governor Martin O’Malley and County Executive Ike Leggett today endorsed his campaign for the Montgomery County Council, District 2. Rice, a resident of Germantown, currently represents Montgomery County in the Maryland General Assembly.
“In Annapolis, Craig has been adamant about creating measures that ensure the economic vitality, health, safety and educational prosperity of Maryland residents,” said Governor O’Malley. “He has committed himself to safeguarding the quality of life we share and leaving his community a better place for our children and generations to come.”
“Craig’s exceptional leadership experiences and keen insight of fiscal matters can help us better address the County’s budgetary challenges” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “Delegate Rice is exactly the type of leader our community needs on the Council.”
Rice led the fight in his Ways and Means committee to protect Montgomery County from a bill that would have bankrupted the county by shifting the costs of teacher’s pensions to local jurisdictions. And he passed a Governor initiative, through his subcommittee, which encouraged businesses to hire recently unemployed Maryland workers, resulting in hundreds of newly hired employees.
“I ran for State office because I wanted to make sure that our citizen’s voices were heard,” said Rice. “This year in Annapolis, I helped protect our county from cuts - but the real battle is still ahead. I am in this race because our community needs experienced and proven leadership that will work together with the other members of the council, with our State Delegation and with our county stakeholders, in the fight to protect the way of life we have grown to love.”
Before being elected to the legislature, Rice served on the Villages of Town Center (Germantown) Board of Directors from 2003-2005, and was a member of the Montgomery County Victims Services Advisory Board from 2004 – 2006. He is the currently a member of Germantown Alliance and is on the Board of Directors for Youth Achieve, the Maryland India Business Roundtable and Future Link.
Delegate Rice serves in the House of Delegates on the powerful Ways and Means committee representing District 15. He was elected in 2006 to a 4-year term that concludes in January 2011. District 15 includes the majority of Northwestern Montgomery County.
“I’m excited about my campaign and what we’ve been able to accomplish so far. We’ve reached out to hundreds of residents, business owners, community leaders, developers and activists who’ve pledged their support. And I’m ready to continue discussing the issues and concerns of our Montgomery County residents, determining ways to help our County maintain its status as a great place to live and work. I’ve got the courage to act and the vision to lead and I am confident that my collaborative skills, passion, energy, accessibility and experience will serve our County well,” says Rice.
Rice has received the endorsements of MCEA, SEIU, GCAAR, HOUSING PAC and Montgomery County-NOW exemplifying the broad base of union, business, non-profit, and progressive support he has received.
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Ike Leggett Endorses Jay Hutchins
County Executive Ike Leggett has endorsed Jay Hutchins for a Delegate seat in District 19. Following is the press release from the Hutchins campaign.
Contact: Pamela Long
pamela@jayhutchins.org
For Immediate Release
JAY HUTCHINS’ CAMPAIGN RECEIVES ANOTHER MAJOR ENDORSEMENT
SILVER SPRING, MD – District 19, House of Delegates candidate Jay Hutchins has added another major endorsement to his already impressive list of supporters, by garnering support of Montgomery County Executive Isaiah “Ike” Leggett. This endorsement comes at a timely point in the Hutchins for Delegate campaign, as the voter outreach efforts are being ramped up.
In his endorsement of Hutchins, County Executive Leggett said, “Jay has proven himself to be an effective advocate for working families during difficult economic times. He is deeply involved in the community, including serving on the Montgomery County Landlord-Tenant commission. His legislative skills, commitment to the community and his history of helping others will serve Montgomery County well, which is why he has earned my endorsement and full support.”
After officially filing with the Maryland Board of Elections last month and holding a successful campaign launch in front of District 19 friends, families and a diverse group political and community leaders (including both State Senate candidates), the Hutchins campaign is capturing very broad support. In addition to Mr. Leggett’s endorsement, Jay has received endorsements from the Montgomery County Education Association (Apple Ballot), SEIU, Progressive Maryland, and recently, the Montgomery County Chapter of National Organization of Women. Additionally, he has the support of other county leaders including, Council members Valerie Ervin and March Elrich.
As voters get to know Jay, they learn he has the needed legislative experience to make real progress on other important priorities like education, transportation and the environment. During the first candidate forum held by the Silver Spring Democratic Club and the Democratic Club of Leisure World, Hutchins clearly connected his professional background to his campaign platform of fighting for working families.
Jay said, “My firm commitment is to support working families in District 19; it is my intention to provide a strong, thoughtful and capable voice for each of them while I am in Annapolis.” He continued, “I have chosen to use my law degree to help people and I have spent my professional career doing just that; I plan to continue these efforts if elected to be a Delegate.”
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For more information about Jay Hutchins, the issues he supports and a full list of his endorsements please visit his web site, www.jayhutchins.org. You can also follow Jay on Facebook and Twitter.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Lucky, Lucky!
Here are the incumbents in MoCo who either face no Democratic opponent or no opponent at all. Congratulations!
No Democratic Opponent
County Executive Ike Leggett
Council Member Phil Andrews (D-3)
Council Member Nancy Navarro (D-4)
Council Member Valerie Ervin (D-5)
Senator Brian Frosh (D-16)
Delegate Kumar Barve (D-17)
Delegate Jim Gilchrist (D-17)
Delegate Luiz Simmons (D-17)
No Opponent at All
State’s Attorney John McCarthy
Clerk of the Circuit Court Loretta Knight
Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15)
Senator Jamie Raskin (D-20)
Thursday, July 01, 2010
MCEA Finishes Endorsements
MCEA has issued its final endorsements in the Democratic primary. In addition to its previous recommended candidates, the union is supporting Aruna Miller for Delegate in District 15 and incumbent County Executive Ike Leggett.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Leggett for Winston
By Marc Korman.
On a hot Saturday morning Mark Winston kicked off his campaign for Delegate in District 16 in front of over thirty people outside his campaign offices. He was joined by a very special guest who endorsed him, County Executive Ike Leggett.
Winston is one of approximately nine challengers in District 16. His speech focused on his priorities including balancing economic development with environmental stewardship, keeping the public school system strong, and a focus on quality of life. He defined quality of life as not just good schools and transportation, and safe communities, but building the type of place that children would want to return to after college, as Winston’s own college graduate daughter is doing.
But in a race with so many candidates, Winston also sought to distinguish himself by emphasizing his experience. He cited his fourteen years on the Housing Opportunities Commission, four years on the State Transportation Committee, fourteen years involved with his temple, thirty-three years living in District 16, and thirty-five years as an attorney. He said that while some may view the Delegate seat as a stepping stone, he does not. Winston emphasized that when he goes to the polls, he thinks about which candidates has the judgment, experience, seasoning, and temperament to deal with unforeseen events. In this race, Winston believes he is the candidate who fits that description.
County Executive Leggett, who was introduced by District 16 resident Bruce Adams, kicked off that theme before Winston spoke. He said endorsing Winston was not a difficult choice and he was proud to stand shoulder to should with him. In his comments to me before speaking, Leggett said Winston was a longtime friend of twenty-five years and was “not just someone who popped up.” He also expressed his support for Delegates Frick and Lee.
Winston’s campaign is being managed by Zack Gallant, who is also working for Senator Mike Lenett and is a veteran of the Cardin and Obama campaigns. Councilman Roger Berliner also stopped by the event, though he said he was not endorsing.
Full disclosure, I am a Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee member from District 16. I have not endorsed Mark Winston or any other challenger.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Gaithersburg West Opponents Praise and Pan Council Candidates
Gaithersburg West Master Plan opponents who run the Scale-it-Back website have issued an Election 2010 Scorecard that evaluates County Council candidates. Some will love it and some will hate it. Let’s find out who the lovers and haters will be!
Scale it Back devised an eight-point rating scale for every candidate. Five points are derived from votes and comments made during the planning process. Three points are derived from remarks made at the May 12 County Council at-large forum. This is unscientific to be sure, but most civic activists feel they can learn who to trust and who is giving them the run-around during a process of this nature. Such is the gist of this evaluation.
Here are the raw scores for every candidate.
Marc Elrich: 8
Phil Andrews: 5
Hans Riemer: 4
Sharon Dooley: 4
Fred Evans: 3
Roger Berliner: 2
Duchy Trachtenberg: 2
Jane de Winter: 2
Mike Knapp: 1
George Leventhal: 1
Ilaya Hopkins: 1
Becky Wagner: 1
Ike Leggett: 0
Valerie Ervin: 0
Nancy Navarro: 0
Nancy Floreen: 0
And there is more. For a few of them, Scale it Back included some choice comments. You sure can’t fault them for being shy! Here is what they had to say about the county-wide candidates, as well as their own Council Member, Phil Andrews.
Marc Elrich (8)Marc Elrich worked very closely with the community during the Gaithersburg West Master Plan process and represented us on the Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee.
Phil Andrews (5)Phil Andrews worked very closely with the community during the Gaithersburg West Master Plan process. He is very involved in the community and has made several trips on foot through each of the neighborhoods in order to get to know the residents and hear their concerns first-hand.
Fred Evans (3)Fred Evans, former Principal of Gaithersburg High School, has a thorough understanding of our educational system and is a strong believer in resident-participation in government and managed growth.
Duchy Trachtenberg (2)Duchy Trachtenberg proposed a Health Impact Assessment for the area around the Gaithersburg West Master Plan study area and community involvement in the master plan implementation. We will be watching closely to see if these plans are carried out.
George Leventhal (1)
She was adamant that the Gaithersburg West Master Plan be approved for its monetary value to the county, even though it is questionable whether the Fiscal Analysis supports the notion that the development approved in the Master Plan will be to profitable for the county. Any plan that relies on $2 billion of infrastructure improvements should have been analyzed very carefully and this was not done.George Leventhal, during the Gaithersburg West Master Plan process, expressed his lack of concern for the residents. Obviously he had made up his mind to pass the plan and having to deal with the residents was clearly distasteful judging from his mocking comments and his manic performance at the Quince Orchard Town Hall Meeting.
Ike Leggett (0)
He showed no concern for the many problems that will result from the addition of 40,000 workers and 20,000 residents to the “Science City” area which is about 1.5 square miles in a suburban residential area, five miles from the Metro.
He did not ask for additional information or clarification on any of the issues, inconsistencies or inaccuracies brought up by Phil Andrews, Marc Elrich or the residents. His mind was made up.
From comments on the Apple Ballot, Maryland Politics Watch, June 4, 2010:
"George Leventhal: The two-term incumbent is now firmly in the driver’s seat. Leventhal will have all the money he needs, almost all the big endorsements (except possibly the Post’s) and will wage a solid campaign. We expect him to finish first in the at-large race for the second election in a row. If that happens, Leventhal will be a top contender to be the next County Executive."
What a scary prediction! A person with such obvious disdain for the concerns of the residents is ill-suited for county government at any level.Ike Leggett showed little or no interest in the unprecedented amount of opposition to the Gaithersburg West Master Plan. The Fiscal Analysis, which came from his office, was questionable on a number of issues. Challenges made by Phil Andrews and Bragi Valgeirsson were dismissed by Diane Schwartz Jones from Leggett’s office by saying the Fiscal Analysis is “an art not a science.”
Nancy Floreen (0)Nancy Floreen was completely absent from the discussions of the Gaithersburg Master Plan even though she sat on the Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee. This committee is expected to evaluate the plan very carefully in order to make a recommendation to the full Council. She didn’t ask questions or expect clarification even though Marc Elrich and Phil Andrews brought up a multitude of issues and irregularities in the plan.
Plain and direct language is the mother’s milk of blogging, and this is a lot of spilled milk! Given the fact that the Gaithersburg West Master Plan was passed by a compromise, there is some question as to how potent the issue will be at election time. Marc Elrich will clearly enjoy support from the opponents, as well as the City Councils of both Gaithersburg and Rockville. Whether the issue has a further impact will depend on how organized the opponents remain and how much resonance the issue will have in the local area over the next three months.
She was obviously there to approve the plan and didn’t care to be bothered with the facts.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Ike Leggett Endorses Nancy King
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has announced his support for Senator Nancy King over challenger Saqib Ali. Following is King's press release.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 14, 2010
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett Endorses Senator Nancy King
Rockville, Maryland – Citing Senator Nancy King's tireless advocacy for Montgomery County's public schools, County Executive Isiah Leggett today endorsed her campaign for the Maryland Senate.
"Nancy King has been a strong supporter of Montgomery County’s public school students and teachers. She played the lead role in protecting Montgomery County schools from a devastating $23.4 million budget cut this year," said County Executive Leggett. "Nancy is the only member of the Senate who served as a school board president. Her firsthand experience with our school system is exactly what our community needs in the Senate."
Senator King led the fight to protect the Montgomery County public school system from a $23.4 million cut it faced under Maryland's maintenance of effort law. Senator King's bill (SB 476) waived the maintenance of effort penalty for this year and directed the legislature to study long-term reform to the maintenance of effort law. The Governor signed Senator King's bill into law on April 13, 2010.
"I got involved with the PTA because I wanted to make sure my daughters got the best possible education. I ran for office because I want to make sure every child is taught by the best teachers in safe and modern classrooms," said Senator King. "This term, we protected our students and teachers from cuts - but the real battle is still ahead. I am in this race because our community needs experienced leadership in the fight to protect our schools."
Senator King served as President of the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations from 1993 - 1994. She served as a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education from 1994 - 2002, and as its President from 1997 - 1998 and 2000 - 2001. She served as Chair of the Education Subcommittee on the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Delegates. She is the past Chair of the Education Committee of the National Conference of State Legislators, and she is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families.
Senator King served District 39 in the House of Delegates from 2003 to 2007, when she was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Senator PJ Hogan. District 39 includes all or parts of the Montgomery County communities of Montgomery Village, Hadley Farms, Washington Grove, Flower Hill, Germantown, North Potomac, Darnestown, and Derwood.
# # #
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Leggett Proposes Fiscal Reform
County Executive Ike Leggett has sent the County Council a plan for long-term reform of the county’s fiscal practices. Leggett’s proposals will be hard to follow, but he deserves credit for putting them on the table.
Leggett’s plan consists of three main elements.
1. Increase the Reserve Target
Right now, the county government aims to set aside 6% of its revenues into a reserve fund. Leggett would increase that target to 10% over the next ten years to counter volatility in revenues and spending. Leggett claims that other large jurisdictions with AAA bonds are moving to that target but does not name which ones are doing so.
2. Move to Structural Balance
Currently, the county matches all revenues and all spending in balancing its budget. The problem is that some of these items are one-time in nature (like revenue spikes and furloughs). Leggett would mandate balancing budgeted expenditures against recurring, or, permanent and ongoing, revenues. This is a subtle conceptual shift but it is aimed at preventing temporary solutions to permanent problems. The FY 2011 budget is a good example of this because of its reliance on furloughs and a “temporary” energy tax hike of two years. (Does anyone believe that tax is temporary?)
3. Use One-Time Revenues Responsibly
If the county is lucky enough to get a one-time revenue windfall, Leggett would establish strict policies regarding its use. The highest priority for any windfall would be to buttress the reserve. If the reserve is fully funded, then the money would be used to fund capital projects (as an alternative to bonds) or to pay down pension or retiree health liabilities.
This is tough medicine. The council does not like to tie its own hands on how it spends money. These policies together would direct money to reserves, capital funding and necessary benefit payments and force the county to consider structural issues in its budgeting. They would collectively discourage seat-of-the-pants budget maneuvers in the last week of deliberations – a time-honored tradition in MoCo. More ominously, they would put pressure on workforce reductions before county employee pay increases could resume.
One notable item omitted by the Executive is any halt to his newly proposed practice of using public bonds to finance private capital projects – a practice strongly defended by his spokesman. It is an awesomely irresponsible act to put private subsidies on a credit card at a time when the bond rating agencies are ready to pounce. Council Members George Leventhal and Mike Knapp have introduced a bill to outlaw this. Their bill should be included in any package of fiscal reform.
Reasonable people can also disagree on whether 10% is an appropriate reserve target. “Why does it have to be so high if we can’t spend the money?” asks one source. The issue calls for an examination of what other highly-rated jurisdictions are actually doing.
But overall, the Executive’s proposal is well taken. What he is really doing is taking on a culture of spending that became especially acute in his predecessor’s last term. Leggett also shares some responsibility by presiding over spending increases during his first three years in office. At least he is now changing course.
When the county’s revenues recover – as they inevitably will – there will be a temptation by some to declare, “Happy Days are here again!” Goodies will be handed out left and right, the county’s long-term issues (like retiree health care) will be neglected and when the next bust comes, the county will face another billion-dollar disaster. That cycle has to end.
Dieting is tough. But bloating to the bursting point – which is what just happened – is even tougher.
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