County Executive Ken Ulman:

The Howard County League of Women Voters congratulates you on your election as Howard County Executive and appreciates this opportunity to comment on and urge consideration for projects and funding in the FY 08 County Budget.

The League urges strong County funding support for acquisition of land for County parks and greenways. We also hope for renewed State commitment for Open Space funding and that you will pledge to match every State Open Space funding dollar coming to Howard County with County funds. The League will continue to support State Bond request bills for Howard County projects such as Blandair Park, the North Laurel Community Center, the Robinson Nature Center and Troy Regional Park.

Howard County Public Transportation is vital to the growth of this County. County Executive Jim Robey was a strong advocate and funded expansion. We urge you to do the same. Today Howard County buses are paid for with 80% federal funds and10% State and 10% local county funds. The state has failed in the past two years to forward funding requests for buses to the Federal government. The League hopes that state decision is reversed. If it is not, we encourage you to look to Revenue Authority bonds directed to the purchase of additional and replacement buses for the County system. A model for Revenue Authority bond use for public transportation buses can be found in Montgomery County. We urge your administration to focus on system expansion and service frequency. State transportation links for commuters to both Baltimore and Washington also need to be supported.

Although the 2006 election cycle is finished, the League expects major Election Bills in the 2007 General Assembly. We urge you to fund of the Howard County Board of Elections request. The League supports early voting and we expect State legislation in support of this concept. The FY08 budget cycle includes Maryland’s March 2008 Presidential Primary. Training is essential for a well-run election cycle. The League also anticipates decisions related to the machines citizens use to vote.

The League joins with many other County residents and organizations in asking for your strong support and funding for Howard County public schools and higher education. Justification of funding support is evident in the student achievements and willingness to engage and contribute to the well being of Howard County, Maryland and the Nation.

A league principle is that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens. We included this statement in our request last year but it continues to be vitally true. The Howard County Library System provides a main conduit for information for all of our residents no matter their age or origin. The libraries offer opportunities to explore our micro world and the macro horizons. We ask you to support their capital funding and operating expense requests.

Thank you again for this opportunity and in this first budget cycle as County Executive we wish you good judgment and sufficient resources.

Sincerely,

Grace Kubofcik,
Co-President
Howard County League of Women Voters