Monday, January 12, 2009
Montgomery County Means Business
Del. Brian Feldman (D-Dist. 15) answers a question from the audience during the Montgomery County Means Business breakfast.
The annual Montgomery County Means Business breakfast was held today at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. The event was hosted by a group of 13 Montgomery County chambers of commerce, who announced their 2009 joint legislative agenda.
The event drew nearly 200 people, including business leaders, County Executive Isiah Leggett, members of the county’s General Assembly delegation and members of the County Council.
“Many of our chamber members are doing well, but many are also feeling pain. They are cutting expenditures. They’re not filling vacancies. Some are closing down non-profitable portions of their businesses, and some are even laying off long-time employees, said Robert Brewer of Lerch, Early & Brewer. “We certainly face a year of great anxiety and uncertainty. We’re all working harder. We’re trying to get through the recession with dignity, and we’re trying to respect our employees and have great compassion for them as we endure this all together.”
The joint agenda focuses on Maryland’s business climate, transportation needs and economic and workforce development:
Fiscal Management & Business Climate
- Sound Fiscal Management - Limit new spending in order to ensure sustainability of Maryland’s budget.
- Tax Fairness - No new taxes, tax increases, or structural changes during the 2009 session.
Transportation
- Protect the Transportation Trust Fund - Protect future transportation funds by enacting legislation limiting transfers to the general fund.
- Transit Funding - Dedicate funds to moving forward on the Purple Line and the Corridor Cities Transitway.
- I-270 - Move I-270 widening study forward so that future growth in this important corridor can be accommodated.
Economic & Workforce Development
- Small Group Market Reform - Support further legislation to make changes to Small Group Healthcare market to ensure affordable health insurance for small business owners and their employees.
- Procurement - Support expansion of state programs targeted at improving access to procurement opportunities for small businesses.
- New Technologies - Support legislation fostering growth of high technology, green technology, biotechnology and clean energy technology.
