Greetings!
After two months of work sessions, public hearings, and more, the County Council approved the County's budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The approved Capital and Operating Budget's mark a $2.16 billion investment in Howard County. We are making amazing investments in our public education, transportation, health care services, and more!
Watch below to learn more about approved projects in District 3 and which programs and initiatives I am especially excited about!
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Now that budget is over for the year, the Council is shifting focus to the County's General Plan, HoCo By Design. Our general planning process helps the County create a long range, visionary document that guides the County's growth and development for the next 20 years. It helps us all decide where and how we grow, and what we want to conserve and preserve.
The Council is holding multiple work sessions coming up on June 21st and July 12th at 9:30 AM. The public hearing to testify on Chapters 7 through 11 is on July 19th at 7:00 PM. Register to testify!
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Christiana Rigby (she/her)
Councilwoman, District 3
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On June 5th, the County Council convened for our Legislative Session. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:
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CB14-2023: An act establishing a Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Teachers; defining certain terms; setting forth certain eligibility requirements; providing that the program will be administered by the Howard County Public School System; providing for the method of appropriation and providing that the program may be subject to annual appropriation; providing for a limit to the fiscal obligation of the program; requiring certain applications; providing for the application of this Act; requiring a report; providing for a sunset of the Program after five years; and generally relating to the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Teachers. This bill passed, with amendments, in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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New legislation was introduced at the June 5th Legislative Session, including:
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CB28-2023: An act adopting HoCo By Design as the general plan for Howard County, Maryland which includes a Plan for the Route 1 Corridor, for the purpose of planning for land use and land conservation and multiyear development planning for transportation, public facilities, water, sewerage, parkland, housing, human services, and environmental protection; and generally relating to planning, zoning, and land use in Howard County, Maryland. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CB30-2023: An act amending the purpose of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County; altering the definition of a forest; increasing certain reforestation calculations; amending qualification for the use of certain forest mitigation banks; and generally related to the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.
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CB32-2023: An act creating an Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel; specificizing the duties and responsibilities of the Advisory Panel; providing for the membership and staffing of the Advisory Panel; establishing requirements for meetings and reports; and generally related to the Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel. Introduced by Councilmember Opel Jones.
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CR104-2023: A resolution creating a Cannabis Workgroup to study the effects of adult-use cannabis legalization in Howard County and recommend legislative actions to promote health, public safety, and equity in the local adult-use cannabis market; and generally relating to adult-use cannabis. Introduced by Councilmember Opel Jones.
At the upcoming Public Hearing, on June 20th at 7:00 PM, residents can offer testimony on this legislation. The legislation will be up for a vote at the Council's Legislative Session on July 3rd at 9:30 AM.
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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June is LGBTQIA+ Pride month!
As we celebrate and enjoy the month, we must remember that we are living in a time where hate crimes and policies against the LGBTQIA+ community are rising. When this happens, it becomes even more important to highlight our differences, affirm our shared humanity, and keep Howard County a safe place for all.
Throughout the month, the County and community organizations have been hosting various events, ranging from Pride Restaurant Week, our first ever Pride Flag Raising, Old Ellicott City Pride, and more!
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Howard County Library Summer Reading Challenge |
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As our school year is coming to an end, participate in the Howard County Library System Summer Reading Adventures to keep your education going. The Summer Reading Adventure is open to all ages and all skills of reading.
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If you currently work or rent in Howard County, you might be eligible to participate in the County's Moderate-Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program or the Settlement Downpayment Loan Program (SDLP). The County also offers free webinars that educate future homebuyers:
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Celebrate Juneteenth at Carroll Baldwin Hall on Monday, June 19th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and participate in an evening recognizing the contributions that the African American and Black Community has made to Howard County and beyond.
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Life Skills Class for Teens |
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HC DrugFree is hosting free, fun, and interactive skills-based classes throughout the summer. These online classes aim to strengthen students, from 6th to 9th grade, skills with self-image, decision making, assertiveness, conflict resolution, and more.
Classes will take place on July 17 - 20 and 24 - 27 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Register your student today!
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Christiana's Climate Corner |
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Welcome to Christiana's Climate Corner, where I will be sharing updates on environmental and sustainability efforts in Howard County, including information on legislation, events, and opportunities for you to support sustainability efforts in our community! |
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HoCo Climate Forward: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan
Yesterday, County Executive Ball released the final version of HoCo Climate Forward, the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. The plan includes many recommendations regarding how our County will achieve emissions reductions goals and increase our climate resiliency.
We have already begun to feel the impacts of climate change here in Howard County. Our summers are warmer, and our winters are colder. Instances of flooding and extreme storms have risen dramatically. By the end of the century, we will experience more days when the weather reaches over 90, 95, 100, and 105 degrees. And we are all too familiar with the increase in 100-year and 1000-year floods.
Climate change intersects with so many other areas of life including our health, safety, jobs, and housing. With more days of extreme heat, we face higher chances of heat stroke, exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses. Flood and storm damage impacts individual's livelihoods, whether it be their homes or businesses. Climate change is one of the few issues that will touch all areas of all our lives.
By reducing our County's greenhouse gas emissions, reducing climate risks, enhancing emergency preparedness, protecting natural resources, engaging the community, and more, we can limit the impacts of climate change.
I encourage everyone to read HoCo Climate Forward and think about how our personal and community choices are contributing to our rapidly changing climate.
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If you need assistance, Howard County can help. Read below to learn more about programs offered by the County and State. |
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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There are no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
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Stay Connected with Christiana! |
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
410-313-2001
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Colette Gelwicks
Chief of Staff
410-313-2421
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Paige Goldscher
District Aide
410-313-3108
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