The 2018 Legislative Session is underway in Annapolis, but there is also a pressing legislative issue we need to make you aware of right here in Howard County. 

One of our 2018 Issues for Legislative Action is the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO). The Chamber supports policy recommendations that ensure the County is adequately planning and budgeting for future growth without jeopardizing the economic health of the county, but CB 1-2018 and CB 2-2018, introduced by Council Members Calvin Ball, Jennifer Terrasa and Jon Weinstein, would close the majority of the County to development of affordable housing and would have lasting fiscal implications for the County as written. The recommendations of the County Council currently reflected in these bills would hinder development within the County based on the belief that new development would increase school capacity and lessen the quality of a Howard County Public School System education. The Chamber and many other organizations, including the Association of Community Services of Howard County, believe that both quality education and affordable housing can be pursued without undermining the other. We also believe that both are essential for the health and success of our county.

This coming Tuesday, January 16th, the Howard County Council will hold a public hearing to discuss CB 1 and CB 2 and it is our belief that these bills need to be amended to ensure development and redevelopment in the county is not prevented unnecessarily and that business owners are able to employ people who will actually be able to live in Howard County. Here is what we are asking you, our Chamber members, to do:

• Call the Howard County Council Chairperson at 410-313-2001
• Join Chamber President & CEO Leonardo McClarty and sign up to testify at the public hearing this Tuesday, January 16th, at 6 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building by clicking here.
• Submit written testimony here.

We are just a day into the 2018 Legislative Session, but the Baltimore Business Journal is already reporting that a vote on whether to sustain Governor Larry Hogan's veto of the Paid Sick Leave Law is likely to happen by the end of the week. The Paid Sick Leave Law, officially titled The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, was passed by Democrats last session, but was vetoed by Governor Hogan. The Chamber supported the veto because we believe in balanced and predictable leave laws that promote economic development and do not impose unreasonable costs on businesses or their customers.

In addition to APFO and Mandatory Paid Sick Leave, it's time to show our legislators that Howard County's business owners expect their opinions and needs to be heard!

As part of that effort, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce is offering member pricing for our Chamber members who would like to participate in their 2018 Business Day and Legislative Reception on January 17th. Attendees will get to connect with state governmental policymakers, meet members of the General Assembly, build their networks with business leaders from across Maryland and add a voice in support of economic growth and private sector job creation.

For a look at our 2018 Issues for Legislative Action brief, click here.

Delegate Frank S. Turner, a veteran Howard County Democrat, who has appeared at many Chamber events over the years, has announced he will not seek re-election in November according to the Baltimore Sun.

We could not have asked for a better event to kick off our amazing slate of 2018 Chamber programs than last night's Young Professionals Network Mixer at Two Merriweather! Members of YPN, including the Board, mixed and mingled with people checking out the program for the first time, while the sun set over Downtown Columbia.

Thank you for helping knock this first Chamber event of 2018 out of the park! You can check out other upcoming YPN events here. 

If you want to take part in the Day of Service, but don't know where to start, check out the Volunteer Center of Howard County for a list of opportunities for individuals and families! 

Join us for a look at the state of healthcare in Howard County and a glimpse into the future from those who will shape it moderated by Paul Skalny, Managing Director of Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Howard County General Hospital. 

January 18, 2018

11 a.m - 1:30 p.m.

Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel

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On March 23rd, more than 150 local high school students need your help! The students will be participating in practice job interviews as part of the Howard County School System's Workforce Development Program, Passport to the Future.

March 23, 2018 - 8 a.m. - Noon

Howard Community College

Duncan Hall/Kittleman Room

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Get the latest information on Family Child Care, Preschools, Summer Camps, School-Age Programs, Child Care Centers, Infant Programs, Play Groups, Co-Op Nursery Schools and more at Howard County's Children on Board Child Care & Preschool Information Fair.

January 20, 2018 - 1 - 4 p.m.

Ten Oaks Ballroom 

5000 Signal Bell Lane

Clarksville, MD 21029

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The Association of Community Services is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards. Nominations are due by January 25th at 2 p.m. You can find more information about nominating guidelines below.

The Arc of Howard County is now accepting sponsorships and reservations for their annual Chocolate Ball.

March 10, 2018 - 7 p.m. - Midnight

Turf Valley Resort

Ellicott City, MD 21042

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We are so proud to welcome the following new members this week!

• Agile Data Sites, LLC
• Self Storage Zone

At a lengthy meeting of Howard County's five-member Planning Board last week, members of the community and representatives from Kimco Realty, the center's owner and developer, continued to try and come to some kind of compromise over proposed redevelopment plans for the Village Center.

MCE is offering a three-part human resource strategy group geared towards startups and small businesses.

January 17, 2018 - Noon - 1:30 p.m.

MCE, 9250 Bendix Road

Columbia, MD 21045

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BMW and USA Bobsled/Skeleton are hosting a free benefit for Team USA's athletes preparing to represent the Stars and Stripes at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

January 23, 2018 - 7 - 10 p.m.

InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf

801 Wharf Street, SW

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