Debbie on the Issues

Housing

Environment and

Responding to Trump Chaos and Cruelty

Housing

I will implement a housing policy that is transparent, inclusive and delivers affordability. Affordability is our most pressing housing need. Our county is known for its nationally acclaimed inclusionary housing policy, known as Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs). In spite of the county’s efforts on multiple fronts, many people are struggling to pay rent or to buy a home in Montgomery County. To build a more affordable Montgomery County:

I support improvements to the MPDU program to include a wider range of incomes.
I support downpayment assistance for first-time home buyers, which helps build wealth.
I support the continued use of public funding for affordable housing projects that maximize the public benefit—providing a substantial percentage of affordable housing for a range of incomes and with homes large enough to house families.
I will oppose efforts that give away public resources without getting enough affordable housing in return like Bill 2-25E. This bill gives away 20 years of taxes for commercial buildings that are 50% vacant, convert to residential and include a miniscule increase in affordable housing above the required MPDUs. This is not a wise use of county resources.

We need honest conversations among all stakeholders—residents, developers, business owners, and others—about our housing goals and what can truly help achieve them. Currently, there is a national trend that asserts that the solution is to build more housing of all types, and it will trickle down to an affordable level for those in need. However, the evidence does not support one-size-fits-all zoning changes, and attacking residents who question these strategies is counter-productive. Trickle-down economics of simply building more housing will not address affordability, in some cases threatening existing affordable housing and pulling development away from smart growth. For the past several years developers and builders have faced high interest rates, high construction costs (including land values in D1 and elsewhere), and, most recently, tariffs. Because developers are – understandably – profit driven, it is incumbent on elected leaders to provide the rules to balance profit and housing needs as the County grows.

As a Councilmember, I will insist that we have frank and realistic conversations about what might help, especially with respect to expanding home ownership and attractive options for downsizing. I will also examine the development pipeline to understand why approved projects are not being built, and I will support incentives that are demonstrably effective in adding housing that meets community needs. As a Councilmember, I will not rely on slogans and headlines; I will pore over research, consult with stakeholders and experts, and support solutions that make sense.

Land Use

I will provide vigorous oversight on land use and zoning proposals and the Planning Board. We must plan for the future with the people who live here today. The County Council is the final authority on land use matters. Its land use decisions help shape the nature and future of our communities years in advance. The Council’s powers include approval of all master plans and decisions about zoning on individual parcels.

The Montgomery County Planning Board, whose five members are appointed by the Council, is the Council’s principal adviser on land use and zoning issues and makes recommendations on new or amended Master Plans to the Council. The Council approves the Planning Board’s work program for master plans and other projects. The Planning Board is also largely funded by the Council. Consequently, the Council has a vital role to make sure that residents’ voices are truly heard. Outreach is an important part of this process and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Nobody understands a community better than its residents, and their input can result in smarter growth.

As your Councilmember, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that we have plans and zoning that make sense for current and future residents, businesses, and organizations, and that our vision incorporates information about the environment, economic development, housing production, and connectivity. I will advocate for planning that balances the need for residential and commercial/industrial zones and that takes into account stormwater management, tree preservation, school capacity and traffic and parking impacts.

I will support funding for the Office of the People’s Counsel to give individuals access to the process because I know that better planning comes when community members are engaged and their concerns taken into account. The OPC was defunded in 2010 in spite of being an important resource in educating and supporting residents in the planning process. Historically, Planning Board members were drawn from the community and included civic activists as well as developers. The process has become less inclusive over time and we now need to restore that diversity of experience and connection to the community. In an ideal world, the Planning Board makes decisions with and on behalf of residents, and not in spite of them.

Economic Development

I am committed to enhancing the business climate and supporting the features that bring businesses to Montgomery County: abundant talent, desirable and livable neighborhoods, top-notch schools, efficient transportation, accessible green space and parks, and responsive government. We need to continue to capitalize on our strengths in the life sciences and innovation with support for companies like Millipore Sigma, which is in the process of a major expansion of its biotesting facility in the county; Intellian, a Korean company involved in satellite development; Horizon Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company; and smaller companies like Liatris, developing sustainable insulation.

We need to nurture new and emerging businesses. Arcellx, which is developing cell therapy treatments for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases, began as a start up in the Montgomery County Innovation Center system (which fosters startups and high-growth companies in tech, life sciences, and AI). Arcellx is now a Nasdaq-listed public company. After years of the County building relationships overseas, the Daejeon U.S. Global Business Center opened in 2025 at one of the county’s innovation centers. I will support these innovation centers to encourage business development. Despite the federal chaos and cuts, many companies still recognize the value of locating in Montgomery County.

Effective economic development will expand our tax base, creating more well-paid jobs and revenue for governmental services and infrastructure. This is vital for a well-run local government that competently and efficiently spends public funds.

I support targeted efforts that build on the county’s strengths: particularly, the Institute for Health Computing (IHC) in North Bethesda. The IHC is already a hub of research and academic activity, benefitting from our county’s impressive talent pipeline that runs from MCPS through Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove, and now includes graduate level research at the IHC, where big data is used to identify treatments and cures for disease. The IHC is attractive to the life sciences and bio sector and is helping to attract investment and jobs.

I also support regulatory and procedural changes at the Department of Permitting Services to facilitate commercial building expansions and openings without sacrificing safety and security. I support identifying duplicative processes between the executive agencies and the Planning Department; such duplication is inefficient, expensive and frustrating. I will support the county’s Business Center in helping smaller businesses thrive, and the quasi-independent Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation.

As a Councilmember, I will work with business, education and community leaders to support programs that focus on enhancing business operations and development in the county. I will work with all stakeholders to build on our successes and identify what works and what doesn’t.

Environment and Climate Change

I will push for Montgomery County to continue leading by example in dealing with climate change.

I will support the creation of more microgrids, which prioritize clean energy use and energy resiliency. I also will facilitate the transition to electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gases, and increase the use of clean energy.

As a Councilmember, I will work with my colleagues to modernize our forest conservation and tree preservation laws: trees are the frontline soldiers in the war against climate change. Our policies must acknowledge the preeminent importance of trees in cleaning our air, assisting stormwater drainage, and mitigating heat islands.

Siting of data centers must include standards that address and protect water use, require energy efficiency, and require that the centers bring their own clean energy. Noise, distance from residential and commercial neighborhoods, and aesthetics must also be addressed. While data centers can generate tax revenue and some jobs, the county also has an obligation and opportunity to lead the way in environmental and land use parameters for data centers.

I will focus on addressing increased flooding in the county and modernizing our stormwater management infrastructure and building codes. I will also work passionately to implement countywide composting, reduce the amount of trash we generate and increase our recycling. And I will work with my colleagues to shut the incinerator in Dickerson to facilitate these efforts. Protecting our environment requires a swift, informed, and multi-pronged approach.

(Please also see environmental information under the Transportation, Parks and Land Use sections.)

Transportation

I will work to support and improve transit options. Mass transit benefits car drivers and the environment by reducing the number of cars on the road. I support regional efforts for WMATA and buses, and the continued development of reliable, efficient Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). I will ensure routes on Ride On (which is now free) are sensible and coordinate well with BRT, Metro, and the Purple Line, and push for timely completion and opening of the Purple Line. I will also work with the state to determine if more trees can be planted closer to the Purple Line.

I will work with residents to make sure that District 1 has adequate traffic management, appropriate parking in neighborhoods and commercial areas, and better sidewalk connectivity. Bike lanes must be added wisely with full consideration for how roads and sidewalks are used. I will make sure that our Department of Transportation continues reliably repairing roads and sidewalks, and that our snow clearing efforts and procedures are improved and better communicated.

Parks

I will work to preserve and enhance our green spaces. Bethesda’s 2017 Master Plan calls for 13 new parks In downtown Bethesda, but not one has yet been delivered by the Parks Department. Our parks and trees provide not only recreational opportunities, but heat relief and green space, which is especially lacking in urban areas like Bethesda. I will focus on ensuring that these parks are a priority for the Parks Department.

I will bring greater scrutiny and oversight to Parks’ proposals, to avoid unintended consequences and misguided decisions (as with Little Falls Parkway) and to prevent “giveaways” of county land. Our beautiful parks and trails are part of what makes this county a great place to live and work. As with land use, parks oversight is the responsibility of the County Council. The Parks Department falls under the Planning Board, but Parks’ work program and budget are decided by the County Council. As a Councilmember, I will probe these decisions and their ramifications in the context of the affected communities.

Education

I am committed to maintaining an excellent school system that meets the needs of all of Montgomery County’s children, from pre-K through 12th grade and beyond. A recent report revealed a decline in graduation rates, including in some D1 schools. Early education is an important part of restoring and maintaining quality and equity in our schools, and that is in turn a key element in attracting business and jobs to Montgomery County.

Many residents are unaware that the Council’s primary role in education is ensuring that there are adequate funds for Montgomery County Public Schools. MCPS funding is more than half of the county’s operating budget. The Board of Education supervises the school system and recommends a budget to the County Executive and Council. The Council makes the final decisions regarding funding, as part of the overall county budget. Per pupil funding has declined since the Great Recession, and the needs of the school population have increased. Despite the economic challenges faced by the county and the state, we must ensure that school funding can meet the needs of a very diverse student body.

I support increasing scrutiny when considering MCPS/BOE budget requests. In recent years, we’ve learned of a number of issues with MCPS and the Board of Education that raise additional concerns about our schools. I have confidence in MCPS and the Board of Education to navigate these challenges, but that doesn’t allow the Council to abdicate its responsibility to monitor performance and spending.

I will work to ensure that Montgomery College continues to serve and prepare our students for graduation, preparing them for successful and fulfilling lives. Montgomery College is an outstanding resource for education at all stages of life, and deserves our ongoing investment.

Responding to Trump Chaos and Cruelty

I stand arm in arm with those speaking out against Trump’s hateful and destructive policies. Trump is wreaking havoc on the country, the region, and people's lives and livelihoods. Our federal workers and immigrants in our County—and their families—are suffering.

Montgomery County has been exemplary in its efforts to defend its residents and enforce law and order. I will always publicly denounce any practices perpetrated against our residents, and make clear that local employees, including Montgomery County police officers, do not assist in federal immigration efforts. I will use the power of elected office to stand with and help residents speak up, speak out and fight for our rights, and will circulate helpful information for workers and immigrants. I join other elected officials and community members to stand united against the unconstitutional actions, and I will support local efforts to help displaced federal workers and other affected workers through our Mobilize Montgomery and Worksource Montgomery resources.

We must work together to ensure that our County flourishes. Even as Trump leads the country down a dark path, we can be a community of light, support, and small-d democratic resistance.

Governance

I will exercise diligent and conscientious stewardship of public funds, with an eye to getting real value for our investments. Local government has a foundational responsibility to ensure competent management and efficient spending, and to be perceived as such.

The greatest promise I can offer is that my door will be open to all my constituents. Good government means listening well and striving to reconcile differing views. I will not accept performative outreach that simply checks boxes for our governing processes. Transparency and accountability are synonymous with good governance, and prerequisites for trust. Every member of the Montgomery County community should trust that they are heard.