The Activist - Montgomery County, Maryland & Beyond

To get back to a safe climate we must remove GHG from the atmosphere. Herb explores how we can get started. Even if we miraculously get to a 100% clean energy economy tomorrow (no more burning of fossil fuels and releasing GHGs in the atmosphere), we will still have a "blanket" of GHG resulting in an unsafe climate. This means we could breach irreversible tipping points resulting in climate Armageddon for the human race and other species. We must reverse warming in the short term to avoid crossing these tipping points and reverse the points that have already been crossed. Critical Elements for GHG Removal: For more info on restoring a safe climate: http://healthyplanetaction.org

Helga Luest discusses: Links/Resources: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/green/climate/climate-workgroup-recommendations.html

Herb Simmens discusses a number of promising measures to quickly, cheaply and safely cool the planet, thus potentially saving millions of lives and reducing harm and suffering throughout the world. He urges that these techniques be urgently and objectively evaluated and deployed as appropriate to restore a safe climate and flourishing ecosystems. See healthyplanetaction.org #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSolutions #ClimateEmergency

To prevent climate Armageddon we need to cool the planet as soon as possible (in addition to eliminating GHG emissions and drawing down carbon dioxide (CO2)). Simmens walks us through the horrific threat of climate chaos - potentially much sooner and terrifying than many realize, explains why emissions are important, but can't help with shorter term cooling which is critical to prevent runaway global heating feedback loops from taking place. He introduces his climate triad: global cooling, emissions reductions and CO2 removal and also discusses how even the most realistic of climate activists have a viscerally negative reaction to exploring global cooling.

February 2019 - Ok, we agree, it is a CLIMATE CRISIS.​ So what do we do about expanding the capital beltway and Interstate 270 in Maryland considering we need to get to work ASAP defending our lives from the climate breakdown? In this episode of View from the Civic Fed, Jerry Garson, committee chair of the Montgomery County Civic Federation Inc's transportation committee shares his expertise on the matter.

Be prepared to worry. Then take action. Montgomery County, Maryland climate activists Jody Peltason (Takoma Park Mobilization - Environmental Committee / MD Leads on Climate), Herb Simmens (Climate Mobilization MoCo / Author of "A Climate Vocabulary of the Future" and Jim Driscoll (Climate Mobilization MoCo) share the horrific nature of the climate emergency and why (and how) we must act urgently to save the planet for our children, grandchildren and ourselves.

October 2018 - In this first episode of 'View from the Civic Fed', Kristy Daphnis, committee member of the Pedestrian Bicycle and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee in Montgomery County, discusses Vision Zero, how to make streets safer for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers, and organizing civic associations around this effort.

Veronica Wright, member of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council in Montgomery County, Maryland, discusses the case for decriminalizing and legalizing drugs including:

Hear Bill's Views Regarding: AGRICULTURAL RESERVE TRANSFERABLE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS BIO FINANCING OF CAMPAIGN CLIMATE COUNTY CLIMATE EMERGENCY RESOLUTION ELECTRICITY SYSTEM ADDRESSING THE SCHOOL BUS FLEET EMISSIONS DICKERSON INCINERATOR / POWER PLANT THE CHALLENGE OF GETTING TO Zero WASTE PRIORITIES: JOBS ARE TRANSCENDENTLY IMPORTANT GOOD JOBS FIRST OUTLOOK ON TAX SUBSIDIES FOR CORPORATIONS CULTURE OF EVIDENCE / CLIMATE OF CIVILITY ACHIEVEMENT GAP

BIO Grew up / educated in Montgomery CountyWorked for State Comptroller / Scrutinized ContractsAdvised on State Pension SystemOn Board for Maryland College Savings System ON STATE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY / STRUCTURAL ECONOMIC ISSUES Revenues growing more slowly despite increased taxesFederal Government Not Growing As BeforeWorkforce is AgingEarners to Non-Earners is Out of WhackOnly way out: lift up wages / create jobs40% of Children Eligible for Free and Reduced MealsMore people are leaving office space than are entering office space NEED A HIGHER TAX BASE (It has been shrinking) County has been raising taxes to compensate for this HOW DO WE GROWN THE ECONOMY? Education - people want to live where good schools areTransportationEconomic Development (can’t do the above without growing the tax base) BUDGET PROCESS NEEDS IMPROVEMENT Optimized for innovation / adaptationMust use revenue for what it was earmarked EDUCATION Discrepancy in ResultsOvercrowding IssuesMany Schools are Attractive / Others Aren’t - Mismatch in Attraction to FamiliesHighest costs of child care in the USDC has more accessible child careToo focused on college readiness / need career readiness as well ON FINANCING THE CAMPAIGN On doing traditional campaign financing (not taking public financing)On D1 Neighbors Report regarding donationsAddressing D1 Neighbors Report Showing Large Corporate / Real Estate Donations ON THE THESIS THAT INFRASTRUCTURE HASN’T KEPT UP WITH DEVELOPMENT BUDGET PROCESS Change budget reconciliation process1 year budget doesn’t workUse a value proposition to make sure that investments are yielding resultsEvaluate impact on budget related to small business / non-profits COUNTY SHOULD GET OUT OF THE ALCOHOL BUSINESS Holding back economic development / revenueSpending on alcohol is 41% below state averageWholesale service for restaurants is a disasterRestaurants in MoCo Can’t Complete Due to Lack of Alcohol ServicesMust take care of workers in alcohol business to transition to something else MODERNIZE / IMPROVE GOVERNMENT Make permit obtainment easierMake it easier to interact with government COUNTY COUNCIL’s MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES OversightPass a Budget SHOULD THE COUNTY LOWER THE RESERVE FUND PERCENTAGE ON DEMOCRATIZING MUNICIPAL BONDS

You’ll Learn About: SAFE ACT Taking a second attempt to protect immigrants that are living in fearEnsure people can approach police in confidence to report a crime or report a crime against themselvesOn lack of support from Ike Leggett and the County Council ANNAPOLIS Not friendly to progressivesOn experience introducing a bill to create a statewide bank ON PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS AS A GAME CHANGER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BUDGETS ON THE WINDFALL OF TAX REVENUE COMING TO MARYLAND $400 million expected due to federal tax changesTherefore complaints about the budget are unfounded in Montgomery County The Council Should Be Stronger On Adjusting Proposed Budget by the Executive EDUCATION Must be the top priorityMust ensure resources for schools QUALITY OF LIFE SeniorsDivide between haves / have-notsEnvironmentTransportation (at its breaking point - congestion / accessibility) PURPLE LINE Social Justice Issue - faster to get to work for working families BUDGET ANALYSIS SHOULD REFLECT SOCIAL EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS LAND USE PLANNING NEEDS TO BE OVERHAULED When on the school board, development had been stopped if school capacity was not keeping up (this has been weakened)Council has turned a blind eye to the developmentGhost items in the budget (placeholders in case new development comes up) - these need to go SOME SECTOR PLANS ARE VISIONARY (e.g. White Flint) Eliminate carsPut 2 miles of 355 undergroundAdd a MARC station MPDUs / Affordable Housing Not affordableNot helping with affordable housingWe need real affordable housing INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC DOLLARS NOT EQUITABLE A lot going to BethesdaNot going to Silver SpringSelling public land for private development DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES ARE TOO LOW Taxpayers are suffering to pay for infrastructure ON THE POWERFUL COUNTY EXECUTIVE Requires vigilant oversightCouncil currently has weak oversight ON NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS WITH UNIONS NEED BETTER LONG TERM BUDGET PLANNING HIGH SALARIES IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT POSITIONS COUNTY REVENUES ARE STRONG Due to property taxAnd windfall expected from state income taxes due to fed tax changes WE DON’T GET OUR FAIR SHARE FROM THE STATE MoCo Doesn’t apply for grants in some casesThere is no clear / common agenda from the county to the state legislatureThe County Council must play a stronger role at the stateThe county should hire a lobbyist ADDRESSING WEALTH DIVIDE Low Income Areas Face Different Educational ChallengesLack of child care in poorer areas BOARD OF EDUCATION Experience on Board of EducationBudgetingSet school district boundaries (very challenging) SCHOOLS Should have dual language instructionMCPS is largest employer and bus system in the countyHas a transparent budget that the county budget doesn’t haveSchool construction are underfundedDevelopment has allowed a lot more housing to serve a school population POOLESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Much can be done to renovate the school; new construction not needed as population does not justify new construction HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS NEEDED

You’ll Learn About: BIO Elected at age 18 to Democratic Party County Committee SeatFacilitating Social ChangeFounded Witness Justice / Ran it for 14 yearsAs a crime victim; recognized there were many gaps in publicly funded programs / systemsFederal Advocacy work (Addiction Treatment, Jail Diversion, Addressing Trauma for Crime Survivors)Led to advocacy for addressing trauma for a lot of issue FINANCING CAMPAIGN So far all funding from private citizensOn systemic bias to support candidates who have raised the most moneyWithout money, despite principled positions, you don’t get endorsements PRIORITIES Safety & CivilityUpticks in bullying, school violence, vandalism since Trump election ENVIRONMENT We are in a climate emergency; potential effectsAgricultureDC UnderwaterNeed to use clean / green energyKey: Must educate the communityKey: Get the right incentives / penaltiesLaunched own low carbon emissions effortsNot doing yard signs since they aren’t recyclable / biodegradableNeed to reduce carbon footprints / carbon emissionsEmergency PreparednessEvery state / city should have a chief resilience officer (for severe weather)Transport (Green Options) EDUCATION School system is still punitive; there are better ways to solve these issuesRestorative JusticeUnderstand what is wrong with kids that act out / not just punishingOther states have had success:Social / Emotional Learning JEFF WALDSTREICHER INCIDENT Suggested Helga run in the state Senate race before to do him a favor and split the vote in the Senate raceSays that Waldstreicher lied on the record to Bethesda beat with an indirect legal threat to Luest SOCIAL / EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN SCHOOLS Kids / teachers become more aware of their emotionsRestorative Justice ApproachWitnesses, victim, perpetrator all discuss the issue to build understandingEmpowering kids to take simple actions can drastically reduce bullyingExpand curriculum to cover many more religions to reflect diversity in Montgomery CountyReligious bullying is one of the biggest types of bullyingThe data says these techniques workThere are lots of opportunities in Maryland to borrow from other jurisdictions with successful programs TRAUMA INFORMED CARE Holistic approach on where trauma came from, treating it and preventative approaches to many issuesHow childhood trauma lessens life spansTrauma prevention is key for a health societyOpioid AbuseNot only affects individuals but also effects:Kids w/ opioid addicted parentsFoster Care System SERVING VICTIMS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Much more is needed than just crisis interventionCAIR Coalition Collapse in Montgomery County (Deportation Defense) IMPROVING VOTING ACCESS / AWARENESS Systemic issues figuring out for whom to vote AMAZON HQ2 IMPACT

You’ll Learn About: Residents Don’t Know About County Services On Non-Profits Offering Integral County Services / Needing More Funding On the Precipice of an Economic Collapse in Montgomery County Need to generate more revenue - We’ve expanded to fast - Infrastructure is behind development / schools overcrowded County Should Not Be In The Alcohol Business On Taxes Not Being Spent for Declared Intent Campaign Finance Not taking public financing - Funding for campaigns should be used for residents instead - Lower the amount allocated for financing campaigns - Will not take PAC, corporation or development money Development Halt New Development - Using energy efficiency mandates to decrease cost of real estate ownership - On Sweetheart Developer Deals / Real Estate Money Supporting Candidates Macedonia Baptist Church / Graveyard of Formerly Enslaved - Planned parking lot over top of the cemetery - Macedonia Church excluded from decision-making How Halting Development Helps Improve Budget Outlook Living Wage = More County Revenue On County Reserves On Fighting For Our Planet’s Survival Need to retrofit buildings / build green buildings - Long term savings and lowering costs in county justify this investment - On Green Economic Development On Council’s Sex Trafficking Task Force On Social Work Experience Supporting the Immigrant Community On DC Model for Attorney Assistance for Immigrants Supports Deportation Defense for County Residents On Support for Ranked Choice Voting Supports Constitutional Amendment to Get Corporate Money Out of Politics The US Has Never Come To Terms With Slavery, Jim Crow and Continued Oppression of Blacks On a $17 Minimum Wage ($15 Isn’t Enough) On the Achievement Gap ​

Ron addresses the following: Criminal Justice SystemMore rehabilitation neededCash Bail SystemTRUST Act (To Protect Immigrants)EducationSchool Construction FundingKirwin CommissionRestorative JusticeAffordable HousingFinancing of His CampaignNot seeking PAC moneyWill refuse contribution from companiesWork on County Executive Advisory BoardsBudgets Should Reflect PrioritiesOn Tax EquityEnvironmentMove to 50% Renewable Energy for ElectricityLegalize MarijuanaSenior Residents / Livability / Taxing of Retirement IncomeOn Decriminalizing DrugsWar on Drugs is an Absolute FailureOn Canvassing in D18 as an African-American MaleOn Campaign FinanceExclude CorporationsImplement Public FinancingThe Social Contract for Working FamiliesOn Governor HoganTroublesome for appointees to state agencies / courtsDoesn’t reflect progressive priorities

Hear about Meredith's priorities including:

The ACLU of Montgomery County hosted a forum for all 2018 candidates for Judge of the Circuit Court of Montgomery County on June 6, 2018. Seven judges appointed by Governor Larry Hogan and one contender discussed: should the public affirm all seven seated judges or elect Marylin Pierre, a candidate for the judgeship (unseating one of the appointed judges)?

Candidate Forums On Community / Civic Involvement Kensington Heights Civic AssociationPTA PresidentFounding Member: Maryland Welcomes RefugeesMCPS Teacher and Parent Volunteer in SchoolsWork on Health Care Committees Schools People move to MoCo for our SchoolsInequities / lack of resourcesNeedy populations in certain schools (Free and Reduced Meals Schools)Needs of English Language LearnersSpecial Learning Needs Require Specific SolutionsGrowing by 2500 students / year Immigrant Experience Language ChallengesSupport this population Various Challenges Child Care is ExpensiveHow do we make people aware of beneficial programs? Tackling Inequalities in Schools Relieve OvercrowdingConsider boundary changesEnsure funding to meet capacity / healthy environmentOur school system needs more moneyAfter School ProgramsStudent Population / Needs Have Changed Radically in Last 10 Years Community Engagement / Outreach On Diversity in Montgomery County Child Care Accessibility / Affordability for Working Families Encouraging / Supporting Businesses Housing Affordability Crisis Equity and Opportunity for All - Main Priority Climate Emergency On Public Financing and Not Getting Matching Funds Due to a Technicality

You’ll Learn About: Experience Real Estate AgentInsurance Consultant (Series Six) Priorities EducationPay Teachers MoreClose Achievement GapPublic SafetyTransportationAffordable HousingLocal EconomyRaise RevenueProgressive ActionGreen Culture Financing Campaign Taking Public FinancingRestricting any Donations?Yes to PACs, Not Yet ReceivedNRA - NoHasn’t had the need to refuse donations yet Teacher Pay Raising teacher pay means a better school system / more attractive countyAfter School Programs - Need More Funding / Improvement (to help low income families who can’t afford after school care) => provide a boost to at-risk youth to stay out of troubleSupport Art ProgramsThe Best School Districts Tend to Pay More Helping Working Families How Universal Pre-K or Free Community College Helps Finding Funding for Programs is Critical and a Major Challenge Need support in AnnapolisLegalize Recreational Marijuana / Monetize It (State Level)Proven profitable in other statesCountywide Internet Service Provider Green District Move us towards:Clean EnergyOrganic / Vegan / Vegetarian / Healthy FoodEducation component in schools Education is the Great Equalizer Social Media Awareness Challenge with Police / Minority Relationship On Being Stopped / Harrassed by Police as a ChildCommunity Oversight NeededDe-escalation TrainingNeed highly qualified police officersMost police officers are great Affordable Housing / Public Transportation Link Transit Oriented DevelopmentRollback Mandates on Accessory DevelopmentsDevelopment Impact Fees NeededEmployer / Employee Incentive Programs Compassion in Government M83 - 200 Extension Past Clarksburg Cuts through a lot of low income neighborhoods Climate Emergency We need incentives / mandates to make changeEnsure that our stormwater runoff permits aren’t privatizedIncentivize composting / look at wasteEducate the communityIncentivize biking / car poolsExpand the agricultural reserve

Education - it defines our community Health Care Supports single payer systemTough given the representative reality in the MD state legislatureState needs to step up due to the cancellation of the federal mandate Politics - a marathon; sometimes outside events can accelerate things Trump Administration Maryland should be a leader pushing back against the Trump administration Support of the SAFE Act Planned Parenthood The largest provider of mammograms for women in Maryland (and the nation)MD passed a bill last year to fund this Working to champion issues for the disabled Proposal to get rid of the Medicaid clawback for ABLE accountsABLE accounts (529 accounts for people with disabilities to save their money and protect their assets w/out sacrificing social security disability benefits)The Medicaid clawback sometimes requires people to take money out of their ABLE accounts - damaging ability for people to sign up for these accounts Complexity as a systemic problem in government Healthcare is expensive and difficult to navigateThe public option for Obamacare would have helped; but would have jeopardized support for passing Obamacare On building consensus w/divergent political views Divergent views between the county council / county state delegation Council wants more moneyState delegation doesn’t necessarily agree On Maryland Passing Dedicated Funding for Metro 150 million, forever funding 50% vs 100% clean energy bills before the legislature On writing effective legislation Bill for public financing of state legislature races Complicated by districts that occupy multiple countiesBills for statewide financing have failed On The 2018 Legislative Session Maryland Healthy Paid Leave ActOverroad veto on paid sick leaveSo people can get paid leave to care for sick kids / relatives On Working Family Support Co-lead sponsor on fight for 15Support Labor / Unions On Working for Bob Mueller On professional work in corporate investigations On Consumer Financial Protections Bureau How can we stand up to the Trump admin slashing this department back? On Amazon coming to Maryland On the SAFE Act (Details) Unconstitutionality of local law enforcement holding immigrants based on ICE detainer requested not backed by a court or independent 3rd partyMontgomery County is already operating constitutionallyOther jurisdictions are not operating in this manner

Links to stuff from the interview: Lessig talk on money in politicsExclusion of Bernie Supporters from Local News Broadcast On Reckless Development & Money In Politics Has favored developersHas not favored residentsHas created a lot of problemsOvercrowded SchoolsBroken Water MainsDwindling Affordable HousingHave not been collecting impact taxesWhy? - many candidates are funded by real estate developers On Support / Work for Bernie Sanders On Money in Politics Money is the root of problems in our politics; until that is fixed, we can’t solve a lot of problemsFavors public financing statewide and more transparency in reporting requirements on donation sourcesThere should be more scrutiny of here candidate funding comes fromSeveral of the top candidates in District 1 are getting money from developersIt is unclear where the money is coming from even for candidates taking public financing - need more transparency in reporting donations D1 Issues: Overcrowded schools - projected 160% over capacity by 2020Poolesville is dilapidated, yet was taken of construction list (because it is not over capacity) Schools: The number 1 magnet in MoCo relative to other countiesIf we lose that, we lose our draw and justification for higher taxes Priorities Reforming our land use decisionsObserve our rules for impact taxes; no more exemptionsRaise the impact taxes for new developmentMake sure our council reps aren’t beholden to special interests / developersWill yield better advocates on residents appointed to the planning boardPath to incorporating towns should be easier to provide better representation for citizensSchool construction should be a priority in the county’s budgetSupport and encourage public transportationVia dedicated funding / subsidiesBRTMore amenities on buses (e.g. wifi)RoadsExplore tech solutions and re-engineering to improve efficiencyIncome EquityNeed to do more to raise wagesImprove working conditions / worker rightsUsing project labor agreements for county work15 is good, but is not a livable wage (17 / 18 is closer to livable in MoCoSupporting unions - making them available to workers Revenue: Explore taxing things that have negative effects (e.g. soda) On Activism and Change On Election Reforms Same Day RegistrationsRanked Choice VotingOpen Primaries Climate Move aggressively to get off of fossil fuelsClose Dickerson power plant / incineratorYes on divestment of fossil fuel companiesZero WasteLimit trash outputAllow unlimited recycling