A severe economic downturn and a state budget that is more than $2 billion in the red haven’t dampened the zeal of Montgomery County’s state lawmakers in trying to bring home the bacon.
State delegates and senators have filed more than a dozen bills so far this Maryland General Assembly session looking for more than $3.7 million in state funding for a variety of construction, repair and other projects.
A tai chi court, a John Deere utility vehicle for a girls’ scouting camp, and more energy-efficient lighting for a homeowners association in Germantown are part of the lawmakers’ requests.
Other projects include $350,000 for renovating the headquarters of Identity Inc., an advocacy group for Latino youth in Gaithersburg, and $250,000 for renovations at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, a school designed to train union members in organizing and other areas.
Projects requested by Montgomery lawmakers
Ivymount School annex building $400,000
Jewish Foundation for Group Homes activity center $100,000
RCI Group Home in Montgomery Village renovations $100,000
Garrett Park Community Center $200,000
Damascus Heritage Museum construction $200,000
Lake Whetstone hillside stabilization $20,000
Montgomery College of Art and Design park in Silver Spring $500,000
Cinnamon Woods homeowners association environmental and safety lighting upgrade $125,000
Warner Manor renovations $1,000,000
Camp Brighton Woods, girls’ scouting camp $350,000
National Labor College Academic Services Building renovation $250,000
Sandy Spring Museum repair $140,000
Identity House renovation $350,000
Tai chi court at Cabin John construction $40,000
Del. Luiz Simmons said most of the requests, dubbed bond bills, are submitted on behalf of municipalities or nonprofit groups. He added that he doubts the cash-strapped state will approve many of the projects. “It’s very unlikely that the state is going to be committing itself to many bond bills,” Simmons said. “I just don’t see the money.”
The state has a budget gap of $2 billion and faces large projected structural deficits for years to come.
Still, Simmons said, it can’t hurt to try.
“If you don’t put it in, then your guaranteed they won’t be considered,” he said. Simmons is sponsor of a $200,000 bond bill to renovate the Garrett Park Community Center.
The bond bills allow the state Board of Public Works to approve issuing bonds to pay for the projects that are paid back using tax dollars over 15 years. The state requires that the funds it gives to projects be matched by the recipients.
Last year the county pulled in more than $1.2 million in bond bills, out of $7.5 million approved by the General Assembly.
