Judge: Montgomery County Violated Election Law On Question B — A state circuit judge last week ruled Montgomery County officials violated state election law by using public funds and staff time to campaign for Question B, the 2012 ballot proposition that got rid of effects bargaining for the county’s police union. Judge Ronald B. Rubin said the union’s claims in court may have validity but that County Executive Isiah Leggett and spokesperson Patrick Lacefield have “qualified immunity” because they acted in good faith and on the advice of the county’s attorneys. [Washington Post]
Bethesda Native Charged With Possession of Ricin — Daniel Milzman, 19, of Bethesda was charged last week with possession of a biological toxin by federal prosecutors in D.C. Milzman is said to have made and had ricin in his Georgetown University dorm room. [ABC 7]
Transit Advocate: Budget Takes Transit Funding, Gives It To Wealthy — Greater Greater Washington contributor and Bethesda resident Ben Ross wrote that County Executive Isiah Leggett’s proposed operating budget unfairly affects Ride On riders while cutting property taxes for homeowners. A fare increase would mean fares revenues would rise by about $2 million:
Where will this money go? The county’s “mass transit tax,” a component of the real estate tax, will drop by $5 million. Bus riders, many of whom have low incomes or are renters, will pay more while a tax cut disproportionately benefits the county’s wealthiest homeowners.
Ross writes that the county should use more money to run more buses. [Greater Greater Washington]
Powerupmontco Featured In Story On Utility Regulation — North Bethesda resident and Powerupmontco founder Abbe Milstein was featured in a National Journal story about the confusing and what some say is one-sided world of utility regulation. The Maryland Public Service Commission’s approval of a controversial “tracker payment” for Pepco last year is cited, with advocates claiming Pepco muscled its way to cost hikes for customers to improve its bottom line. [National Journal]
Facebook photo via Ira Wexler Photography
