Questions from Rockville Neighborhoods for the September 25
Interview of District 17 Representatives as of September 12, 2003
What is the status of financial support for the Town Center development? What additional support can we expect?
What are the prospects for funding of the area schools - in particular, the replacement of Richard Montgomery?
Success of the new Town Center will require convenient unobstructed roadway access. Rt. 355 is already at gridlock as will be the roads between Town Center and I-270. What State funds are available or will become available for the development of the ring roads around Town Center?
[As a follow up question-What is the State’s schedule for study and implementation of the interchange at Gude Drive and I-270?]
What is your alternative to slot machines as the source of additional revenue for the State?
Will the photo speed enforcement bill be reintroduced this year?
Last year, in part due to the Thornton Commission, Montgomery County Public Schools received additional support from the tobacco settlement funds from the State. Now that these funds are running out, what action does the delegation propose to assure that the State continue to implement the Thornton Commission’s recommendations and funding?
Will a bill similar to the non-smoking law recently enacted by Montgomery County be introduced at the State level?
The State´s budget deficit was recently placed at 1.3 billion dollars. How does the legislature propose to balance the budget?
How can the transportation budget be monitored to assure that these funds are held for transportation projects and not dispersed for other projects or issues?
With the tremendous upper county growth, Metro´s Red Line needs modification. The Shady Grove trains already run at full capacity during rush hours. How can we go about getting rid of the interim line that terminates at the Grosvenor station, so that all trains run from Shady Grove to Glenmont?
How can we be effective in promoting the coordination of the efforts by the City, County and State so that certain traffic and pedestrian issues can be effectively addressed?(e.g. Route 355 and Redland Road, Metro and Rt. 355, Gude Drive and Rt. 355; West Montgomery Ave. and Nelson St.)
Last year, Maryland considered doing away with the historic designation tax benefit. What are the prospects for the upcoming year?
With a great many high-tech jobs going overseas, isn´t it time to seriously consider raising the academic standards of our public schools? It seems that every time the results of standardized tests are not up to expectations, the test is deemed at fault and the standards are further reduced.
Program Open Space--a program funded by real estate transfer taxes--is required by law to be used by municipalities for acquisition of land for parks and playgrounds, etc. These funds as well as transportation funds were reprogrammed elsewhere. Will these funds be redirected to the municipalities this year?
What is your estimate of the future of the ICC and of Montrose Parkway?
Currently, the State of Maryland offers 2 options: a diploma or certificate of attendance for public school students. There seem to be changes in this policy in the offing for our students. What are the long term goals for the State´s initiatives in education policy formation and what is the timeline? Are these changes in concert with local school boards?
What State funds are available or will become available for traffic noise mitigation along State/Federal highways in Rockville?
Education is a large expenditure for Maryland residents. Are the State and the local jurisdictions, especially Montgomery County, on the same page in terms of fluctuating education policies at the State level?
What support can or will the State provide to assure adequate medical care for those who have low incomes and/or lack medical insurance in Rockville?