Hobby Lobby opening June 1 in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby store is currently expected to open on June 1, 2026 at 15750 Shady Grove Road at the 270 Center in Gaithersburg, a spokesperson for the big box crafts and decor chain said yesterday. Barring any construction or permitting setbacks, the chain plans to host a grand opening event that day. Formerly home to Best Buy, the building is positioned on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and is right by off ramps from I-270. 

This is arguably the most-anticipated retail opening of 2026 in Montgomery County. There is pent-up demand among MoCo residents who have never had a local Hobby Lobby store to shop at. But there is also the vacuum left by the closure of local JOANN Fabrics and Crafts stores, including the Gaithersburg location. Construction continues on the Gaithersburg Hobby Lobby, but completion is now within sight.

Pop Mart opening store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pop Mart will soon be opening a full-blown store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Chinese toymaker first entered the property with a vending machine in February of last year. Pop Mart is most famous for its Labubu dolls. That has become a double-edged sword for the company recently. Revenue remains strong, but the stock price has suffered drops as investors fret that Pop Mart doesn't have a second act if the Labubu fad wanes.

Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale puts skyrocketing electric bills in spotlight

Maryland gubernatorial candidate Ed Hale speaks with
supporters about their high electricity bills in Baltimore 

Baltimore businessman Ed Hale, a Republican candidate for governor of Maryland, used the backdrop of Geresbeck's Food Market at the Hawthorne Plaza shopping center in Charm City today to demonstrate the devastating impact of the state's skyrocketing energy bills on businesses and residents. During a press conference, he noted the grocery store's electric bill had nearly doubled in only the last 30 days. Its latest monthly electric bill? A whopping $57,000.

"I don't know how you survive this," Hale said of the crushing additional cost burden on businesses. Such costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers, adding to the already absurdly high prices that are pummeling Americans from coast to coast. Hale warned that demand for electricity will only increase during the heat of summer, and that will come with enormous cost to every consumer.

Hale showed a second electric bill, this one from his own grandson. His grandson's monthly bill increased from $185.80 to $528.51. "This is a huge, huge, huge issue affecting everybody in our state," Hale said.

Alluding to current Maryland Governor Wes Moore's non-stop national TV appearances, as Moore pursues a presidential campaign, Hale asked why Moore isn't answering questions from his constituents instead of from TV personalities. "Who's in charge here? He's on Meet the Press or Face the Nation, but who's facing Marylanders, you know? Where is he? And he's just not here. He's running for president of the United States."

"People are moving out of the state," Hale continued. "Businesses are moving out of the state. And we're going to have fewer people retiring in our state." He again cited a recent poll that found that over 60% of Marylanders are either in the process of leaving the state, or are seriously considering such a move.

"We just can't stand this," Hale said. "We need to replace this man as fast as possible." Arguing that Moore sees the state as a mere stepping stone for his national and world power aspirations, Hale drew a comparison with his own campaign's political goals. "Maryland is not a stepping stone for us. Maryland is where we all live, and we can't stand to have this anymore."

Moore and Democrats who control the state legislature have recently tried to divert attention away from the policies and laws they passed that are largely responsible for the spike in energy costs. They ordered the closure of eight power plants across the state, mandated expensive purchases of "clean" power, and implemented a literally-Communist EmPOWER Maryland surcharge on electric bills, an extra tax that Moore hiked further last year. Now they are attempting to seize on the astroturf anti-data-center movement, by falsely blaming AI for the financial destruction they themselves have wrought on communities and businesses statewide.

"I'm going to make sure that we reopen the plants that have been closed," Hale vowed. "We need to get this state reopen for jobs."

Montgomery County's first Hobby Lobby construction update (Photos)

Here's a look at the construction progress on the first Hobby Lobby store in Montgomery County at 15750 Shady Grove Road in the 270 Center, on the border of Gaithersburg and Rockville. The interior fit-out is still blocked from view, but we can see the exterior alterations being made to the former Best Buy facade. A look at the Hobby Lobby website shows the large inventory of Easter products, as an example of the chain's seasonal merchandise. Stay tuned for an opening date.

Matan Cos. breaks ground on new strip mall in Gaithersburg

Matan Companies broke ground on the latest addition to its commercial development on the former Leidos site at the corner of MD 355 and Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg today. Construction will now commence on a 10175-square-foot strip mall at 715 Progress Way. It will join two fully-leased 198,000-square-foot Class A buildings, also developed by Matan Companies, whose tenants include AstraZeneca, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and Daikin Comfort Technologies Distribution, Inc., and two pad sites occupied by Chick-fil-A and Sheetz. The latter two have drawn tremendous traffic to the property, and corporate officials at Sheetz have publicly expressed their satisfaction with the success of their first Montgomery County location here.

Three pad sites remain available, along with the inline spaces available in the future strip mall. "We’re excited to continue expanding this dynamic destination in Gaithersburg," said James Matan, Director of Leasing for the Matan Companies, said in a statement this morning. "With strong existing traffic generated by Chick-fil-A and Sheetz, along with excellent accessibility, this site offers an ideal opportunity for retailers."

Man shot to death in Rockville

Montgomery County police are investigating a deadly shooting in Rockville last night. The shooting was reported in the 12900 block of Twinbrook Parkway at 10:20 PM Friday. Officers arriving at the scene found a 20-year-old man in a parking lot suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. @TheDMVLive reported the man had been shot in the face, and was in cardiac arrest. Police say officers began CPR on the victim, who was transported to a local hospital, where he tragically passed away.

No suspect has been identified so far by police. A homicide investigation is now underway. The victim will not be identified until family members can be notified, police say.

Maryland silica factory closing, production relocating to South Carolina

There goes another one. Evonik Corporation will close its Maryland factory in Havre de Grace, and relocate its production of silica to South Carolina. The closure will eliminate 34 jobs, according to a filing the chemical firm submitted to the state on Wednesday. While the company explains its strategic move with buzzphrases like "economies of scale," there are several obvious reasons why the grass appears much greener in the Palmetto State if you are running a business enterprise.

Industrial electricity rates in South Carolina are 22% less than in Maryland. This is largely due to the forced closure of eight power plants by Maryland elected officials, who have also mandated the purchase of ever-increasing amounts of "clean power," such as solar or wind. In addition, the state has socked energy utility customers with an EmPOWER Maryland fee, that funds a Marxist program that subsidizes the purchase of energy efficient equipment by lower income customers. The end result is that Maryland now imports the majority of its electricity from out-of-state, naturally at greater cost than it had been provided from those shuttered in-state plants. Not to mention that Maryland ratepayers are now receiving record-high monthly power bills.

Maryland's corporate tax rate is 8.25%. South Carolina's is 5%. Doh!

Last year, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Democratic-controlled legislature established a 3% tech tax. By comparison, IT consulting, custom coding, and systems design are not taxed in South Carolina.

Finally, Maryland’s average annual pay for chemical engineers is approximately $121,012 to $140,708. In Charleston, the average is roughly $93,975 to $128,000, according to Indeed.com.

Heckuva job, Brownie!

Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale blasts Wes Moore's floundering Key Bridge rebuild

"I heard a noise, it's that close to me," Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale recalled of the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore two years ago today. The Republican businessman and Charm City resident's home was within earshot of the catastrophe that unfolded on March 26, 2024. Two years later, progress on the construction of a replacement bridge has stalled as the cost of the project ballooned fivefold under the administration of Governor Wes Moore (D). Running afoul of federal funding guidelines, and Moore's relentless personal attacks on President Donald Trump, have led to the possibility that former president Joe Biden's vow to pick up 100% of the tab is now in serious jeopardy. Hale scheduled a press conference within sight of the bridge yesterday to excoriate Moore for the lack of progress, 24 hours ahead of the predictable Moore media blitz.

"It's a bridge that I've used pretty much all of my life," Hale told reporters Wednesday. "I'm from around here. This is my house right here," he added, gesturing toward his home. The neighborhood around the former bridge connection "is hurting, because it takes forever to go from here to over there," Hale said.

Hale argued the floundering rebuild is "emblematic of a governor that's really not paying attention to this whatsoever. He'll smile and say that he is, but he's not. And what you see is anger on both sides of the bridge, all around [Anne Arundel and Baltimore] County and just, the citizens here are extremely upset and don't like the idea that we're not getting this done. There's no end in sight for this thing to be done."

"We are a ship without a rudder," Hale charged of Moore's leadership of the state, saying the current governor's attention is largely consumed by his quest for the presidency in 2029. He announced that in lieu of a workable solution from the Moore administration, "I have a plan."

"I'm going to have the bureaucrats involved, the engineers, and the construction companies involved in this whole process, and see what they can do," Hale said. "And if they don't have a reasonable explanation, they're not going to last long in my administration." He suggested the state turn to Maryland-based firms that do similar work around the world to rebuild the bridge, saying he knows they are qualified because he has hired many of them for his own projects. "I've talked to a bunch of people, and they're standing by, ready to do it."

Hale cited the outflow of residents and wealth from Maryland to other states in recent years. Voters are "now telling me, 'If you don't win, we're moving,'" Hale recounted. A recent poll found that over 60% of Maryland residents are either in the process of leaving the state, or are considering a move. "We can't continue to have this happen," Hale said.

"We don't have economic development. We don't have job creation. We are the worst in the nation for job creation," Hale explained, noting that as a private sector businessman, he has created tens of thousands of jobs. By "every metric you can think of, we're failing," Hale said. "I don't intend to fail. I intend to make things better. Help is on the way."

Update on Sheetz construction at Walnut Hill Shopping Center (Photos)

Construction on the second Sheetz convenience store and mega gas station in the MD 355 corridor is advancing quickly at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 733 S. Frederick Avenue. The familiar building design and roofline are now visible. There's an interesting Sheetz Site Safety sign I have included a picture of below. It looks like the store could be open by summer at this point.

J. Crew Factory to open at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

J. Crew Factory is coming soon to Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The outlet arm of the preppy apparel brand has posted signage in the storefront windows at 20-A Grand Corner Avenue. J. Crew Factory will open in "Winter 2026," according to the signage. Very similar to Gap Factory, J. Crew Factory is not a liquidation outlet of past-prime J. Crew clothing, instead carrying a line of clothing designed specifically for Factory stores. 

What's the difference? Mostly in the materials used. They're going to be lower-quality but also much lower priced. The genuine wool sweater or scarf you might buy at J. Crew, for example, could be made of synthetic fabrics at Factory stores. So it's a way to get J. Crew styling for less, but the pieces might not last you as long as The Real Thing. How can you immediately recognize a Factory item on the resale market? J. Crew Factory items will have two tiny diamonds or dots on the brand label.

How tough does Montgomery County make it to open a car wash business? Soviet tough!

Sam's Car Wash could be coming soon to Damascus, if the local chain receives permission from the Montgomery County Planning Board. Yes, in anti-business Montgomery County, businesspeople apparently can't just open a car wash without jumping through Marxist government hoops. These hoops include a list of demands from government that sound like a cross between Soviet central planning and a mafia shakedown.

The car wash is proposed for 26203 Ridge Road (MD 27), currently the site of a bank building. Sam's would demolish most of the bank, but retain part of it for office space. Existing driveways would be consolidated into one two-way curb cut for ingress and egress. 

The proposed facility is a fully-automated express car wash with automatic gates and license plate readers. "A loader will guide the customer onto the conveyor" to enter the wash tunnel, the planning staff report says. Operating hours would be 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays. 

Planning commissioners will review the conditional use request at their Thursday, March 26, 2026 meeting. Staff are recommending approval of the car wash with a massive list of conditions, including the County restricting the hours of operation to the aforementioned schedule, a stipulation that no more than 4 employees may be on-site at any time, forcing the company to enter a "surety and maintenance agreement" with the Planning Board in order to receive a building permit, and forcing the company to pay the County for the full cost of constructing an 8' bike lane, a 6' street buffer, and a 2' widening of the existing sidewalk. 

And we wonder why the Montgomery County economy is moribund!

City Hall, facilities close ahead of severe storms, tornado threat in Rockville

The City of Rockville has closed City Hall and all other City facilities due to the impending severe storms approaching the Washington, D.C. area. Montgomery County Public Schools have dismissed students early today for the same reason. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a State of Preparedness. That action authorizes the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to coordinate preparations with emergency management, transportation, law enforcement, and public health agencies across the state.

Today's storms are expected to bring wind gusts of 70-80 MPH, heavy rain, lightning, hail, and the potential for isolated tornadoes. “We are working with our state and local partners to prepare for potential impacts across Maryland,” Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland said in a statement. “We are planning for the possibility of hazardous conditions which could include debris, downed powerlines, and travel disruptions. Marylanders should make their preparations now by reviewing family emergency plans including where to shelter during a tornado warning, charging personal devices in case of power outages, and signing up for local emergency alerts to stay informed. If you don’t need to be on the roads, stay home, and always follow guidance from local officials.”

Montgomery County, central Maryland under severe storm threat Monday

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center portends trouble for the Washington, D.C. suburbs and central Maryland tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026. Many meteorologists are saying the NWS prediction is showing the highest chance of a tornado or derecho event they've seen in many years. The NWS predicts there is a 15-29% chance of a tornado in Montgomery and Frederick Counties Monday. The "moderate" designation means "widespread severe storms are likely," with severe weather most likely between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

Such a forecast underscores the importance of monitoring weather forecasts and NWS bulletins over the next 36 hours. Make sure to bring indoors or secure any objects in your yard or on your balcony that could be lifted by high winds. Replace batteries in flashlights and transistor radios as needed tonight, try to fully charge your cellphone, and ensure you have at least half a tank of gas. A few days' supply of non-refrigerated snacks and water bottles can't hurt. Finally, have a plan for all occupants of your home to quickly move to the basement or lowest level of your house if you receive a Tornado Warning on your phone.

Ed Hale endorsed by boilermakers union in Maryland governor race

Dan Weber of Boilermakers Local 45 (left) with
Republican candidate for Maryland Governor Ed Hale

Baltimore businessman Ed Hale, a candidate for Maryland Governor, has been endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the Boilermakers Local 45 Zone #193 unions. "Your efforts to support unions in our fight for good jobs and a just economy help our members and the millions of workers who depend on a strong labor movement," IBB Director of Government Affairs Cecile Conroy wrote in a letter informing Hale of the coveted labor endorsement. "As always, we thank you for your friendship and support of working families."

"Maryland was built by WORKERS — not politicians," the Republican candidate said in announcing the endorsements yesterday. "I’m very grateful for their endorsement. These skilled tradesmen build the ships, power plants, and infrastructure that keep our economy running. As Governor, I’ll always stand with the men and women who build things."

Hale began his career at Bethlehem Steel in Dundalk, where he joined the Ironworkers Union. After moving to another job at the Port of Baltimore, he founded Hale Intermodal Trucking Company, and Port East Transfer. The latter company became the largest employer at the port, and laid the groundwork for the Hale Companies, a trade and logistics firm that incorporated barge and additional truck companies under its umbrella. The Hale Companies also built 343 buildings. 

Hale's massive success in business gave him the ability to win a proxy battle for control of the Bank of Baltimore. His $1.4 million investment led to his appointment as CEO of the bank. Hale parlayed his banking experience into the founding of his own financial institution, 1st Mariner Bank. By 2011, his new bank sported 24 branches, and $1.2 billion in assets. He then purchased the Baltimore Blast soccer team, and has invested millions in revitalization projects in Baltimore, including Canton Crossing, which boasts the only Target in the City of Baltimore and a Wonder food hall. The 20-acre development replaced a brownfield left behind by an ExxonMobil oil refinery, and has won multiple awards.

Incumbent Governor Wes Moore (D) by contrast, has so far fallen flat in economic development and job creation in his first term, despite having been touted as a Wall Street-connected business genius by the local and national press. A budget surplus he inherited from his GOP predecessor Larry Hogan quickly vanished and became a structural deficit under Moore's leadership. Amid gathering fiscal storm clouds, Moore refused to abandon the massive cash-burning Blueprint for Maryland school funding initiative. As a result, the state lost its coveted AAA bond rating. 

Moore hiked taxes and fees, and introduced new ones, including a massive tech tax that has failed to raise the revenue expected because many companies left the state rather than pay it. His vow to quickly rebuild the Key Bridge, destroyed by an out-of-control ship, has spiraled into a fiasco of inaction and skyrocketing cost overruns. Moore has spent the majority of his first term attempting to raise his national profile for a presidential run by attacking Donald Trump, which severely backfired when Trump yanked away the planned Maryland FBI headquarters, the federal blank "100%" Key Bridge construction check promised to Moore by Joe Biden, and the state's National Guard air wing in retaliation.

The inertia, malaise, and affordability woes hammering Marylanders have created an opening for a successful businessman like Hale to make a compelling case to voters. Those voters are also receiving the highest monthly energy bills in the nation, a result of Moore's acquiescence to the Democrat-controlled forced closure of 8 power plants in the state, mandates of clean power purchases, and a massive EmPOWER surcharge added to electric and gas bills. Moore had recently approved an increase in that surcharge so large that utility companies sent written notice to customers to inform them that the charge was coming from the state, not the utilities. Hale has said he would reopen the shuttered plants and expand nuclear energy capacity in the state.

Montgomery County government enters the grocery business before Zohran Mamdani

Montgomery County's Marxist County Council has beaten Zohran Mamdani at his own game. Before the New York City mayor could even acquire a site for his first government-run grocery store, his fellow travelers on the Montgomery County Council are poised to launch a government-run grocery wholesale business. It's a two-part scheme. 

Part 1 involves the County awarding one lucky bidder $550,000 in taxpayer funds to build, stock and operate a wholesale grocery warehouse. The government-funded wholesale operation would sell to "schools, senior centers, hospitals, food banks and correctional facilities," according to a press release from Councilmember Andrew Friedson.

Part 2? Friedson is taking a victory lap in proclaiming Montgomery County will be the first jurisdiction in the region to join the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Local Food Procurement Challenge. Activating the Montgomery County Anger Translator, we can convert that word salad program name into the English language: The County will mandate the purchase of local farm produce by its "departments and agencies" with "public dollars" on the basis of geography, rather than stretching tight "local dollars" (a.k.a. taxpayer funds) by purchasing the cheapest products from anywhere.

The move continues two longstanding Council trends: socialism, and jacking up the cost of government by continually reducing the number of suppliers of a product or service. These include numerous laws mandating the preference or outright mandate that all bidders or sellers must be minority-owned, woman-owned, or veteran-owned. Likewise, some of the laws have excluded bidders or service providers who do not meet a particular ideological or politically-correct profile determined by the Council.

It doesn't take a Harvard economist to tell you that when you reduce the number of bidders, the cost of the winning bid automatically increases. It's called market economics, and it's only one small reason the County budget has doubled in just the last decade. Equally obvious is that the more public dollars funneled into the grocery business by the County, state, and federal government, the more local grocery prices increase. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Maryland Governor candidate Ed Hale vows to cut vehicle registration fees, gas tax

Baltimore resident Ed Hale, running for governor of Maryland as a Republican, is proposing a significant reduction in the state's vehicle registration fees. The fees, massively increased recently by current Governor Wes Moore and the Democrat-controlled state legislature, are now so high that the state has been forced to offer a payment plan to residents already cash-strapped by high housing and grocery prices. "The cost is ridiculous," one resident complained in a video released yesterday by the Hale campaign. "They wanted me to pay almost $400!" "It's awful," a vehicle owner at the Reisterstown Road Motor Vehicle Administration office in Baltimore said. "Who can afford it? It's too much money."

The skyrocketing fees are "just another way to grab money from you," Hale said at a press conference outside the MVA office. Hale has vowed to cut vehicle registration fees back to the level they were before Moore hiked them. He is also proposing to reduce the state's gas tax, as well as Moore's tire tax.

"We know you have to get to work," Hale said. "We know you have to get the kids to school and to practice. The tire tax, gas tax, registration fees and vehicle emissions fees are outrageous and I'll bring this situation under control."

Montgomery County Animal Services shelter reaches critical capacity for large dogs

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is issuing an urgent appeal for community support as the shelter faces an unprecedented space crisis. In a span of just three days—from March 4 to March 6—the facility took in 29 dogs, pushing the total canine population over 100 and exceeding the shelter’s capacity for care. The situation has reached a tipping point, threatening the shelter's long-standing commitment to animal welfare, and avoidance of euthanasia based solely on space limitations.

With dogs arriving faster than staff and volunteers can safely place them, available kennels have become extremely limited. MCASAC is calling on residents who are able to adopt a large dog to visit the shelter as soon as possible. Adoptions are completed on a first-come, first-served basis, and interested individuals should be prepared to take their new pet home the same day. Visitors are asked to bring a leash and collar to facilitate the process.

If you can take a big dog in for a short stay until the crisis is over, residents can join the MCASAC temporary foster program at no cost. The shelter provides all necessary supplies to those willing to open their homes to a large dog temporarily.

Visiting hours at the shelter are 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, and 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. The shelter is closed on Mondays. MCASAC is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.

Operated by the Office of Animal Services, MCASAC is Montgomery County’s only open-admission municipal shelter. It provides 24-hour emergency response and promotes responsible pet care through education and outreach. For more information on the adoption process or to view available animals, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices.

Montgomery County starting work on Hoyles Mill MARC station project

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is making final preparations to begin work on the Hoyles Mill MARC station project. Utilizing land around the Boyds MARC commuter rail station, including the Anderson property the County acquired for this purpose, several upgrades and amenities will be added to the station. These include construction of a new parking lot, a new Ride On bus loop, sidewalks, a shared-use path, and restrooms for bus drivers. The current parking lot has only 15 spaces that typically fill up fast in the morning; the new lot will provide 55 spaces for commuters, as well as new bicycle parking spots.

In addition to the station improvements, the historic Hoyles Mill structure will be stabilized. It is essentially a ruin, but stabilization is needed to insure it doesn't collapse. Montgomery County has received a total of $590,000 in grants from state agencies for this purpose. According to the Library of Congress, much of the mill's sheathing and internal machinery remain intact, and it is one of a few timber-frame mills that remain standing in Montgomery County.

Overall, the goal of the project is to encourage more ridership for MARC from the Germantown and Clarksburg areas. Massive development was allowed in both, but the County Council engaged in a rug pull with new homebuyers who had expected to commute via a new Corridor Cities Transitway rail line, and M-83 Highway. After they purchased their homes, the Council pulled the plug on both projects. The Hoyles Mill MARC station project was approved in 2019, and is only now moving forward.

Maryland Governor candidate Dan Cox proposes property tax limit

Dan Cox, a Republican candidate for Maryland Governor, has proposed placing a limit on property taxes in the state. The proposal would prevent the assessed property value calculated by the state from increasing above the price the current homeowner paid for the house at the time of purchase. Cox's running mate, Rob Krop, announced the platform plank on social media yesterday. "We need to stop taxing families out of their homes," Krop said. 

CNN host diagnoses an embarrassing Montgomery County Council fiscal problem

CNN host Fareed Zakaria stirred controversy last week when he delivered straight talk on why many jurisdictions like Montgomery County have become simultaneously unaffordable while operating on fiscal thin ice. He mentioned a number of familiar factors, but he articulated a particular problem quite well: The fact that the growth of Montgomery County's budget and spending outstrip every other relevant growth factor from business growth and school enrollment to population growth. We know the County spends way too much, as evidenced by our structural budget deficit and the shocking doubling of the budget's size over just the last decade. But when you compare the lack of growth in these other benchmarks to the steadily ballooning amount of spending, the County Council's reckless budgeting looks truly ridiculous.

For example, looking at the supersizing of the County budget, you would think that Montgomery County was enjoying rapid population growth. But even as the budget has reached one record high after another, MoCo's population has actually been shrinking. The County experienced a net loss of more than 9500 residents between 2020 and 2022, and an additional net domestic migration loss of another 11,153 people between 2022 and 2023. And of course, as we know, the very rich are exiting, and the majority of the people moving in are low-income.

"The arithmetic is brutal," Zakaria said in describing a similar population loss (relative to size) over the same period in New York City. "A larger [tax] bill is divided among fewer payers."

Likewise, the budget of Montgomery County Public Schools has grown to obscene heights, even as enrollment has plummeted this decade. And the more generous the Council is with our taxpayer money toward MCPS, the worse the performance outcomes are. It's literally money flushed down the toilet.

"New York already sits at the extreme end of the American tax spectrum," Zakaria noted. So does Montgomery County, whose residents shoulder the highest total tax and fee burden in the Washington, D.C. region. Incredibly, the County Council is currently proposing to raise property taxes yet again this year, and to massively increase the already-gargantuan real estate recordation tax. Both play a role in the unaffordable housing market. Property taxes have become the equivalent of a second mortgage, and high recordation taxes already dissuade homeowners from selling their properties, reducing supply even further while jacking up prices for struggling buyers. Heckuva job, Brownie!

In Europe, Zakaria adds, the NYC and MoCo-level of extreme taxation earns you perks like "free" healthcare, university education, and "amazing infrastructure." In Montgomery County, you get an unfinished master plan highway system, an unbuilt Potomac River bridge, an unbuilt M-83 Highway, an unbuilt Corridor Cities Transitway rail system, an unbuilt Montrose Parkway East, and no bus service to Damascus on weekends and holidays. Trash collection is down to once a week, and is picked up at the curb, requiring homeowners to do most of the job by hauling bins down to the street and back. Snow from a January storm is still melting on many streets.

Jurisdictions like NYC and Montgomery County, Zakaria concluded, "are out of control, promising more, spending more, delivering less and pushing off the fiscal problems to some future date." And then he dispensed this well-worded diagnosis of a central problem in Montgomery County's "leadership:"

"Unaffordability is what happens when government becomes a machine that grows faster than the society it governs." That is exactly the situation in Montgomery County. In a County that hasn't attracted a single new major corporate headquarters in over 25 years, the only booming growth industry is Montgomery County Government, and the best position to be in is either an elected office chair, or one of the many cronies and crooks in the Montgomery County cartel who receive financial kickbacks of taxpayer funds in the bloated County budget.