Salutations
Our November voting session was a hefty one. The bill details are below. I co-introduced with Council Member Rigby one of the session's most important bills, CB42 (School Surcharge bill), which increases impact fees on new residential development and will help us pay for school construction costs in our fast-growing school district. For the past 10 years we have added an average of 1,000 students, a pace that is unmatched by any county in the state. The bill received unanimous approval from the Council and was approved by the County Executive.

This month, I am co-sponsoring two bills addressing Howard County’s natural environment; these bills are CB62 (repeal and replace of the Forest Conservation Act) and CB63 (altering requirements for buffers along Scenic Roads). The Forest Conservation bill will bring our County Code into compliance with the State of Maryland’s standards. This is a long overdue update and much needed, given the loss of our forested land in Howard County.

The Scenic Roads legislation will widen buffers on designated roads from 35 feet to 100 feet in the event that a major subdivision development is constructed next to a scenic road. It will also require that access roads from such a development be placed on a non-scenic road, if possible, and ensure that any road improvements to a scenic road preserves the nature of the scenic road. Such improvements can only take place if necessary to serve public safety.

Most importantly, I want you all to know that I appreciate your feedback on the bills before us, whether it is by email, phone call, or personal contact. Your thoughts and perspectives are critical to the process. Thank you for taking time to comment on our legislation and other matters. Citizen input is important!

Also I would like to thank my Administrative Assistant Roz Hightower for her colorful graphics and superb sense of style on this newsletter. Her keen layout skills have been a great asset to my District Update.
County Council Updates
The Council's most recent voting session occurred on November 4.

CB42 (School Surcharge Bill)
As the co-introducer of CB42, which raises the school surcharge rate, I am pleased to report that the County Council voted unanimously to raise the rate to $7.50, following a two-year phase-in period. I want to thank my staff, China Williams and Ginnie Gick, as well as Council Chair Mercer Rigby and her staff who all worked tirelessly to bring this bill to a successful conclusion. Our Auditors responded to our many requests for updated figures, and our State Delegation passed the legislation that authorized us to increase this critical fee.

Each Councilmember proposed amendments that were either pre-filed or introduced from the dais and the final bill represents a true legislative consensus. I received many emails from constituents advocating for a clean bill; considering the economic effects of this bill on schools and housing, it was important to make certain adjustments and concessions. The Council is still waiting on a fiscal note on the final bill but preliminary estimates put the the total revenue generation over the next 10 years at about $200 million, a significant step toward putting the County into a strong financial position for much-needed school construction.

Below is a vote display and descriptions of the amendments and the amendments to amendments that passed. Thanks to HCPSS GT intern Keon Parsa for putting together the following chart.
Keeping Up with Deb
Below are some of the events and meetings I have recently attended. Let me know about your community activities so I can stop by, if my schedule allows.

10|16 - Fall Farm & Conservation Day
10|25 - Honoring Elijah Cummings
10|25 - CAPA Achieve Success Together Celebration
10|28 - State of Health Care in HC
10|28 - The Village in Howard Meet & Greet
10|30 - Chamber Legislative Breakfast
10|30 - Housing Opportunities Master Plan Announcement
10|30 - Town Hall on Harpers Choice Fire Station
10|31 - Little Patuxent Reclamation Plant Tour
11|05 - Harper's Choice VB Meeting
11|07 - School Board Meeting
11|08 - Restorative Peace Circle at Wilde Lake HS
11|08 - Junior Achievement Shark Tank Panel
11|10 - Veteran's Day Parade
11|11 - ChangeMaker Challenge
11|14 - Office on Aging and Independence Thanksgiving
  Left: Fall Farm & Conservation Day, Honoring Elijah Cummings, Maryland Family Network Honoring Brett Kirwan; Right: CAPA Celebration, The Village in Howard, Shark Tank at Reservoir HS
Community Affairs
Thrive by Five
Saturday, November 16, 8am-1pm
North Laurel Community Center
9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
Parents are a child’s first and best teacher and are essential for their lifelong learning and success. This conference is specifically for parents to understand early interactions with their child, the latest science on health and behavior, and how to feel energized, connected, and inspired to help their children thrive by the age of five.

Click here for tickets
Volunteers are needed to plant trees at West Friendship Park on Saturday, November 16th, 9am-12pm.
Plant Trees, Have Fun!
Saturday, November 16, 9am-12pm
West Friendship Park
12985 Frederick Road, West Friendship 
Make a difference by planting trees right here in Howard County. Join Recreation and Parks on Family Volunteer Day!

Click here for more
Rainbow Theatre Presents: Groovy Nate
Friday, November 22, 10am
Slayton HouseTheatre
10200 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
Groovy Nate is a children’s entertainer and Wolf Trap Teaching Artist who creates fun and educational shows using exotic musical instruments and puppet skits a la Sesame Street meets Parliament/Funkadelic, meshed with The Electric Company, Kraftwerk, and Dub Reggae.

click here for more information
Shows are interactive and help young audience members learn to love the theatre experience. So sing, dance and have fun with Rainbow Theatre at Slayton House!
Please join us for this swimmingly wonderful performance. Promises to be a moving night for all!

click here for more information
The New Horizons Presents... Disney The Little Mermaid Jr.
Saturday, November 23, 7pm
Horowitz Visual & Performiong Arts Center, Smith Theatre
10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
The amazing special needs group, New Horizons, will be performing Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. under the sea with Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder.
Frosty Fun Run 
Saturday, November 30, 3:30pm
Merriweather Park @ Symphony
10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Columbia
Bring the whole family to walk or run, then be the first to witness the magic of the Ice and Fire Festival as we raise money for community arts programming, Girls on the Run, and the Howard County Food Bank.

The Frosty Fun Run is an all ages untimed walk/run. Chose between a 3/4 mile or 1.5 mile course, beginning at the entrance to the Ice and Fire Festival, off Little Patuxent Parkway near the intersection with Merriweather Drive. Holiday costumes, ugly sweaters, and seasonal wear are encouraged.

After the run, join the celebration on the Chrysalis Stage and enjoy a free non-alcoholic hot chocolate or hot cider.
Join us as we kick off the holiday season with a 3/4 mile or 1.5 mile family friendly fun run

Stay for the opening of the Ice and Fire Festival (ticket included in registration) at 5:00 p.m.- stroll through the Light Forest, get lost in the Light Maze, and be enthralled by the Ice Fairy and her friends as they transform Symphony Woods into a Winter Wonderland.

click here for more information
Holiday Magic: Longfellow PTA Needs Your Help
Longfellow PTA is organizing a holiday shoppe for the students of Longfellow Elementary, a Title 1 school. The goal is to help students independently purchase a holiday gift for a family member. The PTA is asking for monetary donations so that each child has $3 to spend on independently purchasing a gift for a loved one. Individual and corporate sponsors are encouraged to donate.

Click here for more.
Toys for Tots
Help us spread the holiday cheer and donate a new, unwrapped gift. Toy donations will be accepted at the following locations through Friday, December 13 th at noon.

You can also contribute online .

  • George Howard Building lobby (3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City)
  • DPW - Engineering Building lobby (7125 Riverwood Drive, Columbia, MD)
  • DCRS Building lobby (9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia)
  • HCPD Headquarters (3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City)
  • HCPD Southern District (11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel)
  • HCPD Community Outreach (10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia)
  • Bain 50+ Center (5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia)
  • East Columbia 50+ Center (6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia)
  • Elkridge 50+ Center (6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge)
  • Ellicott City 50+ Center (9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City)
  • Longwood 50+ Center (6150 Foreland Garth, Columbia)
  • Glenwood 50+ Center (2400 Route 97, Cooksville)
  • North Laurel 50+ Center (9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel)
  • The Multiservice Center (9900 Washington Blvd, Suite I, Laurel)
Feast of Carol with Tropic Twist 
Sunday, December 15, 4pm
St. Louis Church
12500 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville

Over 100 singers and musicians will perform in a free “Feast of Carols…with Tropic Twist” concert. The combined St. Louis and Youth Treble choirs will join The Orchestra of St. Louis to explore music written for the season -- from the Christmas Octave to holiday celebrations from around the world, focusing on the island nations from the Pacific to the Caribbean. 

No tickets are required, but seating is available on a first-come basis.
Click here for more.
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