Keeping Up With Kate - April 23, 2025 (English)

Dear friends,

Montgomery County continues to step up in support of our residents and families who have been impacted by the chaos and federal layoffs from the White House.

Last week, the Maryland State and Local Government Career Fair in Silver Spring was packed with over 1,400 job seekers connecting with employers from local and state agencies. If you missed it, check out other job and resource fairs across the region.

The Council continues its biweekly United in Service and Support webinar series covering a range of topics with expert panelists offering valuable insights, resources, and essential information to assist residents with accessing the support they need.

The next webinar will be today at 11:30 a.m. and will be hosted by Councilmember Natali Fani-González and focus on Montgomery County’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Business Incubators and Opportunities for Federal Workers. Join the Zoom webinar today at 11:30 a.m. If you can’t make it today, check out the full webinar series on the Council’s YouTube page.

As we navigate these challenging times, we will lean on each other, take care of our neighbors, and get through this together—that’s the Montgomery County way.

Sincerely,

Kate Stewart

Council President

Bring Home Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Last week I joined the Maryland Latino Caucus, Latino leaders, elected officials and hundreds of residents in supporting Senator Chris Van Hollen as he fights to bring home Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was deported last month without due process and who the Trump administration refuses to bring home in defiance of court orders. In moments when our fundamental constitutional and democratic rights are at stake, we must speak up and be on the right side of history. Thank you to Sen. Van Hollen for his courageous leadership.

Hundreds Testified at Budget Public Hearings

We had 230 residents testify at our five budget public hearings, and hundreds more submit written, audio and video testimony. Thank you to everyone who came out for the public hearings, tuned in online, and shared your input with us throughout this process. Your feedback helps as we work through committee deliberations and make difficult decisions on the $7.7 billion FY26 Operating Budget.

Credit: Bethesda Today.

$10 Parking Permits for Care Providers 

Montgomery County is now offering discount parking permits for qualifying child care providers and service providers for our unhoused in the County in downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton. I am proud to have led this initiative, which is aimed at reducing commuting costs for essential providers. Offering affordable, accessible transportation options for those providing essential services in our community is one way we can support and uplift their important work. Learn more.

Curbside Electronic Battery Collection Expansion

Montgomery County is expanding its single-family residential curbside recycling program to include the on-call collection of electronics and batteries. This service is being phased-in and will be available to all County residents who receive County-provided recycling collection services by Dec. 1, 2025. You must receive notification in the mail before you can schedule an on-call recycling of electronics and batteries. Remember: electronics and batteries should never be placed in curbside recycling bins or mixed with regular trash, as doing so could pose a fire risk! Learn more.

Join Montgomery Planning’s Community Planning Academy

Montgomery Planning is now accepting interest forms for the Community Planning Academy, launching in June! Learn more about the local planning process and explore zoning, master plans, and other key topics that impact our community. Learn how you can make a difference in your neighborhood and provide feedback to help shape the program before its county-wide launch in the Fall. Learn more and sign up today!

MCPD Launches Public Comment Portal for Policy Revisions

Members of the public will now be able to provide thoughts and comments on Montgomery County Police policies open for revision. By inviting public input, the department aims to ensure that its policies align with the needs and expectations of our community. Visit the MCPD web page to review MCPD policies open for comment.

Kate in the Community

Montgomery County Energy Summit

I recently joined the Montgomery County Energy Summit to highlight our latest progress saving residents money on energy costs and cutting emissions. Thanks to the Department of Environmental Protection for organizing this annual opportunity for residents, energy experts, and public and private partners to connect!

GreenFest - Celebrating 10 Years

The Montgomery County GreenFest is celebrating its 10th year! GreenFest is the largest annual environmental festival in Montgomery County. Join GreenFest 2025 on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Wheaton to celebrate sustainability, innovation and green living! Visit the Montgomery County GreenFest website for details.

Mental Health Corner

VIBE CHECKUP

VIBE CHECKUP is an award-winning, youth-driven wellness platform equipping teens with real-time mental health resources, creative expression opportunities and peer support. Currently active in Montgomery County Rec Zones and four MCPS schools, its goal is to empower teens through accessible wellness and supportive community engagement. The VIBE CHECKUP mobile app is coming soon to Apple and Google Play.