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2014 General Assembly Legislative Session
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Georgette "Gigi" Godwin
President & CEO |
"Congratulations on the close of the 2014 Legislative Session. We are thrilled to see progress on:
- Estate Tax Recoupling with the Federal Rate
- Small Business Reserve Program Continued
And many more items captured below. But our work does not end here. Montgomery County is at the beginning of the FY15 Operating Budget process and campaign season is really heating up. MCCC is at the forefront of advocating for business and positioning our members for success."
-Gigi Godwin |
This Week at the General Assembly: April 11, 2014 |
They said it couldn't be done!
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Ilaya Hopkins and Clark Kendall testifying in Annapolis. |
The Maryland Estate Tax - Unified Credit (HB739/SB602) passed! Recoupling the Maryland Estate Tax with the Federal Rate is critical because it places Maryland in a more competitive position compared to the 40+ other states with estate taxes aligned with the Federal Rate.
MCCC along with Board Member, Clark Kendall, Founder & President, Kendall Capital, testified in support of the bill. |
Small Business Reserve Program
The passage of SB975/HB487 eliminated the sunset provision of the definition of a "small business" by either number of employees or revenue. MCCC testified in support of this bill, which was sponsored by Delegate Kirill Reznik (D-Dist. 39) and Senator Karen Montgomery (D-Dist. 14). |
Veteran Institute for Procurement
 The State of Maryland FY15 Operating Budget awarded $150,000 in funding for Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation's (MCCCF) VIP program. This funding will underwrite an additional VIP session to train service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses to succeed in the federal contracting market, doubling the number of businesses served.
Click here and see page 25 (Amendment 63) for the language that maintains the VIP funding. |
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Other MCCC wins (which is to say wins for Maryland) include:
- Tax credits and investment funds for Cybersecurity, Research & Development, and Bio Tech
- Green purchasing and tax breaks on LED lights
- Increase in Earned Income Tax Credit
- Local bills to ease liquor controls
MCCC successfully defeated 100% of the bills we opposed and 30% of the bills MCCC supported in the 2014 General Assembly Legislative Session passed. Click here to see a full list of bills MCCC supported. |
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What's Happening in Montgomery County |
Montgomery County FY15 Operating Budget
Gigi Godwin testified on the County Executive's Recommended FY15 Operating Budget on April 8.
Click here to watch Gigi Godwin's testimony and to read the MCCC written testimony.
For more information, see the County Council press release. |
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School Construction Study
While Montgomery County will not receive more school construction funding for FY2015, Governor Martin O'Malley and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller plan to issue an executive order to study alternative ways to fund school construction projects. Read the full Gazette article. |
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Local Businesses Favored for Montgomery County Projects
The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously to approve a bill, sponsored by Councilmember Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 4), that in the event of a tie gives Montgomery County businesses preference on county projects. Read the full Gazette article. |
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 Makeover Montgomery 2
Join sustainable growth experts at Makeover Montgomery 2 on May 8-10 at The Silver Spring Civic Building. Click here for more information.
All across the country, suburban planners and residents are grappling with how to handle pressures to adapt to demographic shifts, changing housing preferences, and growing infrastructure costs - all while making their communities more sustainable. This conference will focus on three primary tracks: Transportation and TOD, Creative Use of Public Assets and PPPs, and Current Planning Trends. |
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MCCC is a non-political organization and does not endorse candidates. We will share pertinent information with members regarding events and activities surrounding the elections. |
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MCCC 2014 Candidate Questionnaire
MCCC has sent to all Primary Election candidates for Governor, State Assembly, County Executive and County Council offices the MCCC 2014 Candidate Questionnaire. Answers will be posted to the MCCC website in early May.
MCCC Select Candidate Interviews
MCCC Candidate Interviews are open to members only and are not open to the press. The meetings will be held in the MCCC board room. Recaps of these interviews as well as candidate questionnaires will be posted at www.mcccmd.com.
Because space is limited, RSVPs are required and accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. To RSVP please contact Ilaya Hopkins at ihopkins@mcccmd.com. |
Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board
Friday, May 2, 8:30-11:30am |
Montgomery County Executive Democratic Candidates (Primary)
Wednesday, May 14, 8:00-11:00am
8:00am: Phil Andrews
9:00am: Doug Duncan
10:00am: Ike Leggett |
Montgomery County Executive Democratic Candidates (Primary)
Monday, May 12, 8:00-11:00am
9:00am: Doug Gansler (Confirmed)
Anthony Brown (Invited) |
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Events
Note: These are not MCCC events |
 Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forums Press and the public are invited to join GGCC & the Rockville Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 6 at the County Council District 3 Forum and Thursday, May 29 at the GGCC County Executive Democratic Primary Forum. The format will be opening panel remarks, followed by Q&A from our moderator and questions from the floor.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 11:30am-1:00pm
Location: The Hilton, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg
May 6 Forum Candidates will include:
-Guled Kassim
-Sidney Katz
-Tom Moore
-Ryan Spiegel
NOTE: The May 6 Forum is a paid lunch of $20 and open to the public. Advance Registration Required.
May 29, 2014 - 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: TBD
May 29 Forum Candidates will include:
-Phil Andrews
-Doug Duncan
-Ike Leggett
NOTE: The May 29 Forum is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Laura at 301.840.1400 x14 or lrowles@ggchamber.org. |
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The Primary Election will be held on June 24, 2014. Early voting will also be available at designated locations around the county. Are you registered to vote? Visit the Board of Elections website for full details, including voter registration deadlines.
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The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) supports local, state and federal legislation that protects, enhances, and leverages our assets and promotes economic prosperity for Maryland. This message highlights MCCC advocacy activity in Annapolis and Montgomery County. To learn more about our advocacy work, visit our Advocacy Page.
See MCCC Advocacy Highlights from previous weeks.
For more information, contact Ilaya Hopkins, VP, Public Policy, MCCC at (301)738-0015 or ihopkins@mcccmd.com.
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