Duncan, Curry Hail Record Transportation, Education Funding; Praise Montgomery, Prince Georges Legislators

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

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Contact: David Weaver, 240-777-6530
Reginald Parks, 301-952-4131

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2000

DUNCAN, CURRY HAIL RECORD
TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION FUNDING;
PRAISE MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGES LEGISLATORS

Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties together obtained nearly $1.7 billion in additional transportation funds from this session's Maryland General Assembly to pay for transit and road improvements to relieve regional traffic congestion. The counties will also receive nearly $100 million for school construction and $600 million in direct aid for education programs.

"Thanks to the efforts of our delegation to increase funding for priority programs, we were extremely successful in boosting state aid to Montgomery County by almost 10 percent over last year," said Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "I appreciate the additional transportation money from the State for essential projects, but the support does not go far enough. In order to further relieve traffic congestion, we need to build the InterCounty Connector and secure additional funding for more transit and more road capacity. We must build a balanced transportation system to solve this region's long-term problems."

Amongst the transportation projects added to the State's six-year capital improvements budget for Montgomery County were nearly $7 million for upgrading and expanding Ride On; $18.25 million for Metrorail infrastructure improvements; $23.2 million for MD 28 construction to increase capacity in the growing north Potomac area; $117.2 million for US 29 improvements, that provides the main north-south service to the eastern County; $7.3 million of safety improvements at MD 355 and Randolph Rd.; and $12.9 million for MD 650 intersection improvements.

Capital project transportation funds committed to Prince Georges County include $424.6 million for the Addison Rd. to Largo Town Center Metrorail extension of the blue line. The region will also benefit from $880 million for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

"We are very pleased with the substantial investment that was made by the Governor and the General Assembly in the Washington Metropolitan region's transportation infrastructure," said Prince Georges County Executive Wayne K. Curry. "This investment will have an impact for years to come."

"Montgomery County did fantastically well," said Senate Delegation Chair Ida Ruben. "Through the cooperation of the delegations, we achieved great success. When asked how much money Montgomery County got, I stopped counting after $100 million."

Montgomery County received an increase of $19.7 million over FY00 for education programs, including $14.4 million for programs for students with limited English proficiency, $2.9 million for class size reduction, an anticipated $5.2 million for teacher salary increases, and $1.3 million for new academic intervention programs.

The County also anticipates a total of $50 million to be directed to school construction projects for modernization of Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Churchill High Schools, additions to Wheaton, Blake, Walter Johnson, Northwest, Magruder, Watkins Mill, and Wootton High Schools, and renovations and improvements to 43 other schools.

"Once again the Montgomery County delegations succeeded in bringing home the bacon for the people of Montgomery County," said House Delegation Chair Kumar Barve. "Our two greatest needs are education and easing traffic congestion, and that's where we achieved our greatest successes."

Highlights of Prince Georges County's education aid include $33.8 million to help educate handicapped children, $20 million for transporting students, $5.6 million of teacher development, and $16.1 million for magnet and effective school programs. Prince Georges should also receive $44 million for school construction that will fund seven new construction projects and renovations and improvements to 34 additional schools.

Montgomery County received funding for a variety of cultural amenities, higher education, economic revitalization, judicial, public safety, and child welfare programs. In Prince Georges County, State aid will fund public safety, health and social services, community revitalization, and economic development needs. For more details on these additional budget accomplishments, see the attached summary.

For more information, call Ben Bialek at 240-777-6550.

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