Leggett's State of the County Focuses On Education, Transportation

Issuing his first State of the County address in four years, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett detailed new education and development initiatives, The Washington Examiner reported.

Leggett (D) mentioned successes in Silver Spring, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Silver Spring headquarters which, along with other federal facilities in Montgomery County, has brought thousands of jobs to the area.

He said that he hopes to promote adult-level English classes to "make it easier for English-as-a-second-language residents to master the language, enabling them to get better jobs and expand the county's tax base," according to the report.

The County Executive also wants to create an after-school program to help underachieving students. The proposal would "expand the current 'Excel Beyond the Bell' program—an after-school support system available in just a few middle schools in the county—to all middle schools," according to the report.

Read the full text of Leggett's speech by clicking the PDF above.

Leggett criticized state officials for not finding more money for transportation projects, The Examiner reported.

"We can't build these critical transportation projects (Purple Line, Bus Rapid Transit) unless we can pay for them," he said. "Montgomery County is doing its part. But we can't ‚ and we shouldn't—have to shoulder the burden all alone."

Read the full story on The Washington Examiner.