Stormy, hot week expected – There’s a chance of thunderstorms each day until Friday and temperatures are expected to reach into the upper 80s or low 90s all week, according to the National Weather Service. A high of 90 is predicted Monday, with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Scattered showers are expected Tuesday afternoon with a high near 91. The weather service predicts Wednesday will be sunny with a high near 86 and a chance of evening showers. Thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and Friday’s forecast is partly sunny with a high near 88. Temperatures are expected to drop into the upper 60s or low 70s each night this week.
Transit task force public forum – Local residents will have an opportunity to speak out Wednesday on County Executive Ike Leggett’s controversial plan to set up a transit authority to build a bus rapid transit system in the county. The plan was met with sharp criticism earlier this year when Leggett sent a bill to state lawmakers asking for the authority to create the transit agency as well as levy a tax to fund it. The public forum starts at 6 p.m. in the County Council’s third-floor hearing room at 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville.
Discussion on public campaign finance – A county forum will take place Monday night at the County Council office building in Rockville about the new public campaign finance law. The law provides public funding for candidates in county elections starting in the 2018 election cycle. Candidates who opt into public financing can't receive funds from political action committees, corporations or labor unions. The forum starts at 7 p.m.
Predatory towing public hearing – The County Council will host a public hearing Tuesday about a bill designed to limit predatory towing. The legislation is aimed at tow companies that are subject to little oversight and are often able to quickly tow vehicles from private lots. The public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the County Council building in Rockville.
Montgomery Gazette’s last issue – The Montgomery Gazette will publish its last issue this week after officials said last week the paper will shut down. Sixty-nine people are out of jobs as a result of the closure. The free weekly paper got its start in 1959.
Board of Education to formally adopt budget – The Montgomery County Board of Education is scheduled to formally adopt a $2.32 billion budget at its meeting Tuesday. School officials recommended cutting 380 staff positions and delaying the rollout of Chromebook laptops to close a $53 million budget shortfall caused by decreases in state funding and a tight county budget.
Correction: The original headline incorrectly stated the correct day of the Transit Task Force meeting. The meeting is Wednesday, as noted correctly in the body of the article. It has been fixed.
