September was an action-packed month. I am so grateful to be the governor of such a beautiful and dynamic state. I thoroughly enjoy all of my visits crisscrossing our state, changing Maryland for the better along the way. I had a great time visiting The Great Frederick Fair and listening to music at the National Folk Festival in Salisbury.

This month, we brought state government to Montgomery County with another regional cabinet meeting, announced school accountability initiatives, and cut the ribbon at the new McCormick Headquarters in Baltimore County. Read more about each of these and more below!

Governor Larry Hogan held a regional cabinet meeting in Montgomery County at the Olney Theatre Center in Olney, Md. The governor was joined by Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, as well as Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett, dozens of Maryland cabinet secretaries and directors representing agencies across the state, and other state and local officials. This day, which included nearly 100 events, tours, and meetings, brought together elected officials, senior county leadership, local business owners, and public service personnel to discuss county-specific issues and ensure direct engagement and communication with Montgomery County constituents.

“Today we are literally bringing the entire leadership of state government directly to you in Montgomery County,” said Governor Hogan. “They are all dedicated public servants who are working very hard for you. Our entire team is very much looking forward to a full and productive day here in Montgomery County.”

Lt. Governor Rutherford also made several stops in Montgomery County, touring the recycling center with Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment; visiting B’nai B’rith Homecrest House with Maryland Energy Administration Director Mary Beth Tung; and attending a meeting at Montgomery College with Dr. Jim Fielder, Secretary at Maryland Higher Education Commission and Major General Linda Singh of the Maryland Military Department.

“Our team is committed to Montgomery County’s continued economic growth and community success, working together with legislators, elected officials, and community leaders across our great state as we change Maryland for the better,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford.

On the first day of school in classrooms across Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan announced a series of initiatives to ensure accountability in state school systems, including an executive order creating an Office of Education Accountability. The governor also vowed to reintroduce legislation in the 2019 session of the Maryland General Assembly to create an independent Investigator General to investigate allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and criminal conduct in Maryland school systems. The governor was joined by Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford and Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, to make the announcement, as well as education advocates and school officials.

“Our state spends more than $6.5 billion dollars every year on K-12 education. With that kind of state taxpayer money invested in the local systems, our taxpayers, parents, teachers, and especially our students have the right to expect – and they deserve – more accountability, better local management, and the strongest oversight possible,” said Governor Hogan. “We are continuing our fight to improve Maryland local schools, as well as our fight for accountability in local school systems because the status quo simply is not good enough for Maryland’s children.”

Governor Larry Hogan announced a new parental leave policy for Maryland state employees, which will provide up to an additional 60 days of paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child under six years old. To provide more flexibility for working parents, the 60 days may be used any time within the first six months following the birth or adoption and does not have to be used concurrently.

The new 60 days of paid parental leave is part of Senate Bill 859, which Governor Hogan supported and signed this year. The administration is going beyond the requirements of the legislation by making the 60 days of leave available for use anytime within the first six months after birth or adoption of a child, whereas traditionally parents have had to use leave time in a bloc. This additional paid leave will be granted once the employee has exhausted his or her annual and personal leave. This benefit began on October 1, 2018.

“We are maximizing flexibility for working parents by making these 60 days of parental leave available anytime within six months following the birth or adoption of a child,” said Governor Hogan. “Because being a new parent isn’t just about being home for the first six weeks following your son or daughter’s birth. It’s also the doctor’s appointments, check-ups, and other important needs in your child’s early stages of life.”