Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced the County’s priorities for the 2008 legislative session that begins today in Annapolis and adjourns on April 7. Education and transportation top the list. Leggett has pledged to work with the County’s state delegation to realize the school construction funding commitment made during last Fall’s special legislative session. He will also continue the County’s efforts to secure additional funds for adult education and workforce training, capital improvements at our community college campuses, and vital transportation projects.

“Getting education funding for our children and more funding for transportation are my priorities for this year’s session,” said Leggett. “I pledge to work with our state legislative delegation, the County Council and our Governor to ensure that Montgomery County gets needed increases in school construction aid, higher education and critical transportation needs. We must protect direct State aid and pass-through funds to Montgomery County to safeguard our continued ability to deliver public services and programs.”

The County’s 2008 legislative priorities in education include a request for $132.8 million for Montgomery County public school construction, an increase in State funding for adult education programs and $37.3 million for construction of new facilities at Montgomery College.

Leggett stated that he appreciates the $400 million in revenue enhancements for transportation approved in the special session. But, even greater support is desperately needed for the very long list of critical projects that continue to remain unfunded. Of statewide importance, these projects include the Purple Line; the Corridor Cities Transitway; the Maryland Route 355 corridor study and improvements to accommodate the consolidation of Walter Reed Medical Center operations at National Naval Medical Center; I-270 HOV lanes north of Shady Grove to the Frederick County line; I-495 HOV lanes from Virginia to the I-270 West Spur; and a long-term solution to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority funding so that the region can increase investments in its transit system. On the local level, the County’s number one priority for many years has been construction funds for a Georgia Avenue/Randolph Road interchange.

Other 2008 priorities include $2 million for the second half of the State’s commitment for a music venue for Silver Spring’s revitalization and $65.6 million in construction funding for building the Rockville District Court.