- $52.3 million for public school construction. Every state dollar leverages one local dollar, resulting in more than $105 million available to improve school infrastructure for the county this year.
- Over $6.6 million for 21 local capital projects including - Birchmere Music Hall in downtown Silver Spring, completion of Glen Echo Park, Germantown Incubator to foster new high tech businesses and the Woodstock Equestrian Center with programs for disadvantaged and disabled children and adults.
- This year's operating budget includes over $23 million to support stem cell research - a 50% increase over last year. Montgomery County is the home to the majority of bioscience companies in the state and these firms will be the direct beneficiaries of this investment.
- $527 million is direct state aid for Education, representing a $56.1 million or 12% increase over last year.
- Several statewide bills passed of importance to Montgomery County including the Clean Indoor Act passed banning indoor smoking, the Clean Cars Act requiring motor vehicles sold in Maryland to meet much stricter emissions standards by 2011 and an in-state tuition freeze.
- Successfully worked to fully fund Program Open Space, dedicate the Transportation Trust Fund only for transportation purposes and restore the Office of Smart Growth.
- The General Assembly also adopted legislation to require state contractors to pay a "living wage" to their employees - which reflects a local law already on the books in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County
Direct State Operating Aid Funding Comparison
Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008
| CATEGORY OF AID | Fiscal 2007 | Fiscal 2008 | DIFFERENCE FY08 vs.FY 07 | % Inc. |
| Education | 341,138,088 | 396,518,793 | 55,380,705 | 16.2% |
| Libraries | 2,396,394 | 2,597,232 | 200,838 | 8.4% |
| Community College | 32,957,046 | 40,173,736 | 7,216,690 | 21.9% |
| Health | 5,225,108 | 5,417,387 | 162,279 | 3.1% |
| Public Safety | 16,319,754 | 16,527,135 | 207,831 | 1.3% |
| Transportation | 45,904,253 | 46,410,790 | 506,537 | 1.1% |
| Program Open Space | 24,291,038 | 16,693,705 | -7,597,333 | -31.3% |
| Utility Property Tax Grant | 2,765,553 | 2,765,553 | 0 | 0.0% |
| DIRECT AID TOTAL | 471,027,234 | 527,104,331 | 56,077,097 | 11.9% |
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