Wheaton, Md. — The Montgomery County Planning Board, one half of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC or The Commission), expresses its strong opposition to Senate Bill 1005. The Planning Board outlined its position at its meeting on Thursday, March 12 and issued the following statement:
“The Montgomery Planning Board strongly opposes this bill and any attempt to undermine the work we are doing on behalf of Montgomery County and the bi-county region. SB 1005 would effectively dismantle the Commission by decentralizing legal, financial, and other administrative services that depend on coordinated bi-county operations and shift those authorities to the planning boards in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. This would increase fragmentation and force Montgomery County to duplicate administrative, technical, and operational functions now shared with Prince George’s County. This loss of efficiency could cost millions of dollars each year, while weakening regional coordination on land use, transportation, parks, and environmental planning. This legislation will only come at the expense of Montgomery County taxpayers during a very tough budget year.
This bill was filed incredibly late in the General Assembly session, limiting the Board’s or the Commission’s ability to comprehensively assess its implications or understand its intent. It represents a fundamental attempt to change how we work and could result in significant disruptions to the parks and planning services our community relies on every day. In addition to the communities we serve, this bill could have long-term impacts on staff and our retirees.
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SB1005 was introduced without any prior engagement with the Montgomery County Planning Board and provides no clarity as to why such a substantial change is needed or how this will benefit our residents.
The Planning Board remains committed to protecting the integrity of our organization’s work and its role in the success of the bi-county region. The Board will continue to advocate vigorously on behalf of the public interest and deliver services with excellence, transparency, and purpose.
For these reasons, we urge the General Assembly to reject SB1005.”
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The Montgomery County Planning Board oversees the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Montgomery County Department of Parks.
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