Author: Natali

Dear Neighbors: It has been a hard few weeks with loved ones in our community suddenly and tragically losing their lives. A few days ago the County Police Department reached out to inform me that a neighbor in Forest Glen lost her life to gun violence when her ex-boyfriend shot her as she was leaving…

Neighbors: You may have seen the County Executive’s recent decision to cancel the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Wheaton. I couldn’t disagree more. I am proud to celebrate my latino culture and heritage, and I won’t back down celebrating who I am out of a fear. Our community should not be guided by fear, especially when recent local…

Neighbors: The Council begins a busy legislative period here in Rockville. But before we get into that, first a word on the immigration policies of this federal administration. There is a lot of evidence that immigrants – both documented and undocumented – are being denied due process in this country. Due process and fair treatment…

Neighbors: There are a couple weeks left of the Council’s summer legislative session, and I’d like to leave you with a few updates on my work on your behalf. Workforce Housing Zoning Measure Passes! Yesterday the Council approved a zoning text amendment (ZTA 25-02), authored by Councilmember Friedson and I, that removes restrictions on small-scale…

Neighbors: The Council has just begun our summer work period, and I have several new (and exciting!) legislative initiatives on the agenda. Labor Peace Agreements at Hotels with County Involvement Giving workers the tools needed to organize without fear of getting fired is part of embracing our values and goal of having a strong workforce.…

Neighbors: As Chair of Economic Development for the County Council, I was thrilled to join the Governor to speak at a press conference announcing a major life-sciences and mixed-use project that will be the home of the University of Maryland’s Institute for Health Computing, a planned research facility by the North Bethesda Metro. This is…

Neighbors: Today my colleagues and I on the Council approved the County’s $6.6 billion budget for the upcoming year, which funds everything from schools, police, fire and rescue, to roads, parks, and more. We did so in an environment of state and federal fiscal retrenchment and a highly uncertain economic outlook for our region. As…

Neighbors: We are facing challenging times, including massive federal layoffs that are also affecting contractors that are shutting down their businesses. On top of that, we are facing a housing crisis decades in the making. I am committed to confronting these crises head on and responsibly using every tool available to us. That means zoning…

Neighbors: Tomorrow I am hosting an exciting webinar on the County’s business incubator and innovation ecosystem, with a specific focus on entrepreneurial opportunities for federal workers. I will be joined by Judy Costello, Director of Economic Development Special Projects in the Office of the County Executive, and Martha Jimenez, Program Manager at the Maryland Women’s…

Neighbors: As a government, we must use every tool possible to build more housing. That responsibility certainly includes zoning reform and incentivizing half-vacant office buildings to create homes for people to thrive. I am thrilled to report that yesterday the Council approved the first two pieces of the More Housing N.O.W. package that Councilmember Friedson…