Politics & Government
Obama Visits Parkville, Cell Phone Laws Could Change Again, Howard Retains Bond Rating: Patch Keeps a Close Eye on Your Government
Patch takes seriously the journalist's credo to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Read all about what your elected leaders are doing, and how it affects you, in the Week in Regional Government.
Let the negotiations begin. The Montgomery County school board approved a $2.2 billion operating budget request. The budget includes no new programs or initiatives but increases spending by $82 million to keep up with enrollment growth. The County Council will have its say in the coming weeks. Colesville Patch has the story.
Parkville Middle School is on the White House’s radar. President Barack Obama visited the school’s eighth grade students to discuss the national importance of science and technology education. Arbutus Patch has the details.
Howard County continued its bond rating streak when three ratings and credit agencies gave the county a Triple-A grade. This is the 14th year in a row the county has secured the high rating. Ellicott City Patch has the story.
Find out what's happening in Arbutuswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Put down that cell phone – again. Maryland lawmakers are considering new legislation that would make cell-phone use illegal any time the car is in the travel portion of the road. That includes when the vehicle is stopped at a stop light or in traffic. This would amend the law that started in October, banning hand-held cell phone use while the vehicle is in motion. A separate bill would make cell-phone use without a hands-free headset a primary offense. Savage-Guilford Patch has the details.
Homelessness, the county budget, a strategic plan, a regional transportation office and tougher environmental regulation of the Patuxent River. All this and more in the Feb. 14 Howard County Council meeting wrap up from Elkridge Patch.
Find out what's happening in Arbutuswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A group of parents in West Laurel are against proposed cuts to a specialty transportation program, and they are petitioning the Prince George’s County school system to bench the idea. An $85 million decrease in state educational funding prompted county schools to consider cutting the program, which provides transportation to specialty programs like Montessori, French Immersion and Creative and Performing Arts. Laurel Patch has the story.