For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 18, 2006
Remarks by Council President George Leventhal at the Announcement of the FY07 Budget
Rockville, Maryland
May 18, 2006
“We are gathered here today to announce the details of our Operating Budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1 and for our six-year Capital Improvements Program.
“As I think about this budget season, I’m struck by two things.
“First of all, an improving economy meant more resources to work with. We were able to fund critical priorities and give a $127 million property tax reduction. But, more fundamentally, I am struck by the remarkable good will and collegiality that has characterized our work on the budget. We all pulled together to do the job we were elected to do – all nine of us and the County Executive.
“I’ve enjoyed working with all my colleagues and value very much the passion that they all bring to making this good County even better.
“Thank you Nancy Floreen and Steve Silverman for thinking creatively to find ways of getting more resources to battle traffic congestion. We are approving today $160 million in forward-funding for needed improvements in state roads and transit facilities.
“Thank you Marilyn Praisner for pushing to extend Rec Extra after-school programs from the present 10 to all 38 middle schools.
“Thank you Tom Perez and Mike Subin for setting in motion an effort to open up English-language classes to all who want to learn.
“Thank you Mike Knapp for advocating for the new SHARP Street suspension program that’s going to benefits Watkins Mill high school kids and parents.
“Thank you Phil Andrews for your initiative to make sure seniors ride free on Ride On buses all day.
“And thank you Howie Denis for standing up with the community to make sure that, at the end of the day, we had a plan to alleviate overcrowding in the Churchill cluster that made sense to us and to the parents and kids involved.
“And, finally, thank you Doug Duncan. You gave us a good recommended budget to work with. We are a remarkably progressive and well-run County and that didn’t just happen by accident. Doug Duncan and the Council made it happen.
“For myself, I am so pleased that we doubled our commitment to Montgomery Cares, the effort that provides health care to those tens of thousands of County residents without health insurance.
“We are idealistic and caring enough in this County to believe that no adult, no child should go without the care they need because they aren’t covered. But we aren’t just passing resolutions saying how it ought to be – we are working with our non-profit partners. We are a model for the nation. Boy, could we do with a little of that idealism, that can-do attitude on the state and federal level!
“I am also gratified that we have increased significantly our programs to combat homelessness in the County. Am I the only parent who has ever been somewhat embarrassed at having to explain the first time a young child asks from the back seat who these people are asking for money and where do they go and where do they sleep? I think not. Look, it’s a complicated problem but we ought to do all we can to deal with it in our midst. This budget strengthens our efforts.
“One place where we did have serious friction was on the question of the Seven Locks elementary school replacement. That conflict was healthy. Let me repeat – that conflict was healthy. We came out of that disagreement in a very good place.
“As a result, I’m glad we are moving to exercise more oversight over the nearly half the budget that goes to the Montgomery County Public Schools. We are at that point because of the tenacious efforts of the Seven Locks elementary community. Because of the work of our independent Inspector General. And because of the tireless labors of Howie Denis and his staff.
“In this budget we are approving two new Council staff positions that will be entirely devoted to the MCPS budget. Oversight requires information and analyses.
“Why is this important? Because we are the people’s representatives and we are responsible for how the people’s dollars are spent. It’s as simple as that. It’s not Doug Duncan’s budget. It’s not the Council’s budget. It’s not Jerry Weast’s budget. It’s the people’s budget.
“The People are entitled to know how their money is being spent. They need to know if our educational goals are being reached. Special education parents need to know that the system is serving them the way it ought to. Communities have to be listened to – really listened to – before a decision is made, not after the train has already been waved away from the station.
“Openness, accountability, sunshine. That’s what we need more of. We cannot run a $2 billion public institution as if it were a privately-held corporation.
“I want to again thank my colleagues. I want to acknowledge the splendid performance of the Council analysts and central staff, ably led by Steve Farber. I want to also thank my staff – my chief of staff Valerie Ervin, Patty Vitale, and Walt Harris. I couldn’t do any of what we’ve done without them.”
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