There has been no shortage of news coming from the County Council and County Executive's office during what is usually a quieter political month during the holidays.
From the County Executive's delay of the General Plan draft until after the November, 2022 elections to proposed redistricting maps and new legislation, there is no shortage of topics to highlight. Keep your eye on further announcements as election years typically attract some unusual legislation that will require the attention of Howard County residents and business owners.
Be sure to like the District 5 Facebook Page for current news and announcements, including important weather updates as we enter the winter months.
Please share our newsletter and encourage others to sign up so they can stay apprised of what is happening around the community.
I hope that you and your families enjoy time together this holiday season.
David Yungmann
Howard County Council, District 5
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Our December Legislative Session on Monday night left me wondering if we will ever see the common-sense middle again in Howard County. Below are some highlights. Click here to watch the full session.
Redistricting Council Districts
The Redistricting Commission finished its work to develop a recommended map of new council districts. That map was forwarded to the County Council in late November for its consideration, possible amendment and final approval. In order to afford the public with a meaningful public hearing before the County Council, as well as the opportunity for amendments based on that public input, legislation must be introduced. I sponsored that legislation and attempted to get it introduced on Monday, but none of the other Council members were willing to support it. The result is a Democrat-sponsored map finalized without Council debate, the public hearing in December having no purpose, and anyone who wants to speak on the commission’s map being robbed of public debate before the County Council. This was a partisan process from the start to the end – a glaring example of what happens when the same political party controls everything.
Minimum Wage
After several years of discussion, compromise and debate, the State Legislature approved an almost 50% increase in the statewide minimum wage in 2019 to be phased in over the next 3 years. However, hardline progressives demanded more, and they came to Howard County to get it. CB-82 not only creates the first Howard County specific minimum wage, it calls for a higher wage, faster phase-in than the rest of the state, and inflation adjusted increases beginning in 2027. It also applies to thousands of Howard County jobs and employers that are exempt from the minimum wage law in every other county in Maryland. Despite claims by activists, significant increases in the minimum wage in other localities across the nation have resulted in job loss, especially those held by younger and older part-time and lower skilled entry level workers, as well as increased prices and the loss of businesses. As many of us are working to grow our commercial tax base and attract job creators, which are crucial to the fiscal health of our county, others are creating stronger headwinds. I was able to get narrow approval for a handful of amendments exempting employees such as immediate family working in a family business, but even those were a struggle and not unanimous. Democrats in our state delegation asked the County Council to table this bill to no avail. This job killing bill passed on a party line 4-1 vote and all indications are that it will be signed by County Executive Ball in the coming week. As so many of us search for the common-sense middle, we continue to be pulled to the extremes here in Howard County. You still have time to make your opinion known in advance of this bill being signed by emailing the County Executive here.
Forest Conservation
I am not a fan of the overreaching forest conservation laws in our county because they devalue property and hurt long-time property owners. However, a loophole rewarded bad actors trying to circumvent the law to the detriment of people following the spirit of the law. The Administration attempted to close this loophole by regulating the trees in residential back yards, which I could not support. A councilmember attempted to close the loophole and vastly expand the scope of forest conservation laws in a different bill that I also could not support. Instead, I introduced legislation to close the loophole without impacting homeowners or expanding the scope of the existing regulations. That bill, a common-sense targeted solution versus government overreach in the other bills, was approved in a 5-0 vote.
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General Plan Update
After close to $1 million dollars spent on a consultant and thousands of hours invested by community members, stakeholders and county government staff, the General Plan update, known as HoCo By Design, has been shelved by the County Executive. I along with other councilmembers have sent emails and letters to him urging the continuation of the process, after which we need to re-start the much- needed rewrite of the zoning and development codes that began over five years ago under the previous administration. It was admittedly ambitious to have a land use General Plan debate during an election year, but it is part of the jobs that the voters elected us to do. The rough draft of the General Plan raised some concerns for me, including additional residential density in the Rt. 40 corridor and loose Rural Crossroads language that could impact the rural west, but it was an adequate starting point for public debate and should be moving forward. I fear that the County Executive is under pressure to pursue a more aggressive residential growth plan than what is currently proposed and does not want to have that debate during an election year. Unfortunately, this is within the authority of the Administration and nothing I could do can force it to proceed. The best we can hope is that 2022 elections do not usher in decision makers that will promote aggressive residential growth over smart and balanced approaches.
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There are No Upcoming Pre-Submission Community Meetings in District 5
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Still Need A Christmas Tree? District 5 Farms May Be Your Solution!
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Greenway Farms and the TLV Tree Farm offer cut your own trees for the holiday season. We learned on our Fall Farm Tour that growing conditions for Christmas trees have been challenging. Call ahead to be sure that the farms still have trees.
We are thankful for the over 30 farms in Howard County that provide great options for fresh produce and other products. For information on our farms, visit the Farm Connect website.
Looking for information about agriculture in Howard County? Visit the Farm Bureau website for news or to become a member.
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Don't Miss The Annual Lisbon Christmas Parade! |
The annual Lisbon Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 12:00. |
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Mail Your Letters to Santa at any Howard County Library System Branch by December 23
Let Howard County Library System help you get your letter to Santa when you write or drop off your letter at any HCLS location. Mail it by Thursday, December 23 at 12 pm so Santa’s elves can deliver it in time.
Stop by any of the Library’s six branches during regular business hours and look for the red mailbox.
While you’re there, help fill a mitten tree by dropping off new child-sized mittens, hats, and scarves. In the new year, these items will be donated to the Community Action Council of Howard County for local children.
Ho Ho Ho!
Speaking of Libraries.......
Be sure to check out the newly renovated Glenwood branch. It is worth more than a quick peek!
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Looking For Holiday Happenings?
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