Council Spotlight
Keeping Up With Kate - March 12, 2025 (English)
Dear Friends,
With so many residents impacted by actions taken by the federal administration, Montgomery County leaders are committed to getting critical information out to the community. During these challenging and confusing times, we want community members to know you are not alone and there are proactive steps you can take to help protect your future.
The Council is hosting a series of community resource webinars to provide residents with critical information on topics like health and unemployment insurance, continuing education and workforce development, and local assistance programs to help with things like utility bills.
The first meeting, where we were joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen and County Executive Marc Elrich, focused on assistance available for federal workers, contractors and residents. The second meeting with Congressman Jamie Raskin, focused on mental health support and resources. We were joined by experts from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, MoCo Pride Center, Inc., EveryMind, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montgomery County (NAMI MC), and the Black Physicians and Healthcare Network.
We hope you will join us for upcoming meetings that may be of interest to you. The next community resource webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. View the full upcoming webinar schedule.
As always, feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or need assistance.
Sincerely,
Council President Kate Stewart
FY26 Operating Budget Public Hearings on April 7 and April 8
The Council will hold afternoon and evening public hearings on the more than $7 billion Recommended FY26 Operating Budget on April 7 and April 8 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Make your voices heard by participating in-person, virtually, or submitting testimony on what issues matter to you. Your feedback helps guide the Council in developing a budget that meets the needs of our diverse communities.
--
Free Tax Help Available for Eligible Residents
County residents with combined household incomes of $67,000 or less can receive free tax preparation assistance through the Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Virtual and in-person appointments are available now through April 10. VITA can help connect taxpayers with valuable tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit. Call 240-777-1123 to schedule an appointment or book your appointment online.
Kate in the Community
Read Across America Week
Thank you to Rockville Nursery School and Kindergarten and the Children's Opportunity Alliance for helping me celebrate Read Across America Week! Reading is such a wonderful activity for people of all ages and reading together is a great tool to help kids discover their own voices and learn from others.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with second grade students at Rolling Terrace Elementary School after they recently learned about our local government and its functions. It was great to see how excited the students were to learn about our government and discuss how an idea becomes a bill and eventually a law in Montgomery County.
Women’s History Month
Happy Women’s History Month! Each March, we celebrate the women who have inspired us, mentored us and shaped our community. Whether they’re trailblazers, leaders, neighbors or our loved ones, we recognize the women who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations. There are countless women who have supported me throughout my life and guided me into public service. I’m particularly proud to be the first woman elected Council President on a Council body that is represented by a female majority. My colleagues -- Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe, Natali Fani-González, Dawn Luedtke, Kristin Mink, and Laurie-Anne Sayles -- inspire me daily with their strength, wits and compassion for others.
Watch my Women’s History Month interview.
--
Middle Eastern Heritage Month
I was proud to present a joint proclamation from the County Executive and Council celebrating Middle Eastern Heritage Month. We were joined by residents of Middle Eastern American heritage, advocates and community leaders, including the County's Middle Eastern American Advisory Group and the Office of Human Rights.
Ramadan
Last week, I joined together with Muslim friends and neighbors to kick off the holy month of Ramadan and celebrate all that the Muslim American community brings to Montgomery County. May this Ramadan bring happiness, peace and blessings to all who celebrate. Ramadan Mubarak!
Mental Health Corner
Weekly Wellness Wednesdays
Did you know the Rockville Library hosts a Wellness Wednesday series? Take time out of your week to focus on your mind, body and spirit. Join each Wednesday evening for wellness workshops, yoga and Chakra meditations. View the schedule of events.
Help With Utilities
Do you need assistance paying your utilities bills? You may be eligible for assistance programs.
WSSC Water’s Get Current program supports income-constrained customers with delinquent water/sewer bills. Take advantage of this temporary water bill assistance program and learn about eligibility requirements. WSSC Water has also partnered with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland to repair on-property residential plumbing leaks. The new CAP Leak Repair Program will help customers save money and conserve water by identifying and repairing leaking plumbing fixtures. Eligible customers can receive up to $9,000 per year in plumbing repair services. Learn more about the CAP Leak Repair Program and apply for assistance today.
If you need support with Pepco bills, you can visit pepco.com/BillSupport or call the Pepco Customer Care team at 202-833-7500. Pepco’s new Assistance Finder tool can help customers discover the best programs that fit their needs, including financial assistance, bill management, and energy efficiency and savings information.
