#172 - Fixing Capitalism and Other Wins I spent Friday last week on the top floor of a New York City building that has $850 billion of gold in its basement - the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Our FY27 proposed budget continues to invest in services to care for our residents and our furry friends, including adding an Adoption Coordinator at Anne Arundel County Animal Services and funding the concept design for a new animal shelter.

May is Older Americans Month, and yesterday morning I joined the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities for their annual event, this year themed “Champion Your Health.”

Congratulations to the latest cohort of graduates from our Leadership Development Program!

The Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is a hidden gem that serves as our county’s largest natural resource and conservation area. Last week, I got to visit and cut the ribbon for the new overnight cabins.

To all of our residents celebrating, I am wishing you a joyous and blessed Eid al-Adha. Eid Mubarak!

Last week, I had the honor of attending the 102nd Anne Arundel County Police Recruit Class graduation ceremony and welcoming them into public service with the Anne Arundel County Police Department and Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office.

To commemorate Memorial Day, please join me in honoring those who sacrificed their lives while serving our nation so the rest of us can enjoy peace and protection. God bless those we have lost, their families, all of our service members, and veterans.

Weekly Letter #171 - Downzoning to Protect Open Space Monday’s County Council meeting was the last opportunity to amend Bill 18-26, the last of nine comprehensive rezoning bills.

It’s time for another episode of Office Hours. This time, you can write or call in to ask me any questions you have about the county’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

This #ThankYouThursday, I want to thank all of the public safety personnel who worked during last week’s 102nd Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and 151st Preakness Stakes,

It is EMS Week, and I want to acknowledge our outstanding emergency medical services professionals, including those with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

Last week, I signed Bill 19-26 into law to establish a property tax credit for both child and adult day care centers in Anne Arundel County.

In March, I met with a group of teachers in my office. Most of them were special educators in our elementary schools. They described life in their classrooms and the difficult personal choices they had made to keep showing up for our students.

Our FY27 budget projects an impressive two and a half billion dollars in revenues and two and a half billion dollars in the kind of spending that delivers a return for our residents.

Earlier this morning I joined riders, Mayor Jared Littman, Anne Arundel County Department of Transportation, BikeAAA, Bike to Work Central Maryland, and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council near Annapolis City Dock to celebrate Bike to Work Day.

This morning, I visited Laurel Park for the Alibi Breakfast to kick off the 151st Preakness Stakes weekend alongside trainers, jockeys, and fans.

Earlier this month, I signed three bills into law that allow the county to enter into Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements at three properties which will create 182 more affordable housing units for working families in our county.

This #ThankYouThursday, I want to thank all of our residents who attended the 2026 Community Association Summit hosted by the Anne Arundel County Office of Community Engagement and Constituent Services (CECS).

We have officially uncoupled the hose and opened Crownsville Fire Station 6! Replacing the former Herald Harbor Volunteer Fire Station 6, this new facility was built with the community’s growth in mind, tripling the station’s square footage and call service coverage area.

This National Hospital Week, I want to recognize our incredible healthcare professionals who serve our communities with care, compassion, and expertise.

Great news for Pasadena and District 3 residents and visitors: the Magothy Bridge Road bridge project is officially completed and the bridge is open for use.

This National Police Week, I want to recognize the amazing work and dedication of our officers with the Anne Arundel County Police Department and Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office.

Last month, we cut the ribbon and held a grand opening ceremony at Arundel House of Hope's new Bridges to Hope transitional housing facility.

Happy Mother’s Day to all! Thank you for everything you give us, including love, support, and teaching us invaluable life lessons. I hope your loved ones pamper you today, and everyday.

President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has made life hard for folks who need food assistance by changing who is eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), implementing new weekly work requirements, and reducing benefit amounts.

We officially broke ground on Station 19 last week, which will be the new home of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Cape St. Claire Volunteer Fire Company when done.

Weekly Letter #169 - Developers and the Policies They Promote

During Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to thank our incredible educators at Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). Our schools employ the absolute best educators, and I hope you will join me in thanking them for everything they do.

Last week we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Odenton Community Park, a shared space with the Odenton Library that will blend Odenton’s history with modern, accessible amenities for our residents.

Join us next Friday, May 15 for our 29th annual Bike to Work Day event. We'll meet at 8am in the Donner Lot at Annapolis City Dock and will be joined by the Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation, The City Of Annapolis, and Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.

Join us this Saturday, May 2, at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center for our first River Days Festival of 2026 from 11 am to 3 pm! On the Rhode River, this fun-filled day will feature boat rides and educational exhibitors, crafts, live music, face painting, and more.

Last Saturday, I was in Brooklyn Park for two exciting events: a ribbon cutting and a groundbreaking. First, we cut the ribbon on the newly transformed Brooklyn Heights Park.

Weekly Letter #167 - Things Not In Our Budget Next Friday, I present my final budget proposal to the County Council. The theme is “A House In Good Order.”

Happy Arbor Day, Anne Arundel County. If you’re a lover of nature like me and are looking for some local forested areas to explore, I recommend you check out the Bacon Ridge Natural Area, Magothy Greenway Natural Area, and Jug Bag Wetland Sanctuary.

It was great to join Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, Fort George G. Meade Garrison Commander Col. Yolanda Gore, and our residents for the 4th Annual Meade Spring Cluster event last weekend.

It’s National Library Week, and this #ThankYouThursday I want to thank our incredible Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) staff for being portals to knowledge and discovery.

Earlier this week, Governor Wes Moore announced new philanthropic support for education and child care access in nine ENOUGH communities, including Brooklyn Park.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and today I visited the Anne Arundel Child Advocacy Center for their annual pinwheel event to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect.

In honor of Earth Day, I hope you’ll take time today to appreciate our home’s beauty and to do your part to protect our natural environment.

Our first River Days Festival of the summer is just under a few weeks away! On May 2, we will be back at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center for a fun-filled day on the Rhode River from 11 am to 3 pm.

Weekly Letter #166 - Writing, Solving Puzzles, the Saltworks Sign, and a Rally at People’s Park I apologize. For the second time since I started these letters three and a half years ago, I didn’t deliver last week.

We are just a few weeks away from May 1, the day I will present my proposed FY27 budget to the County Council.

Tuesday night, I attended the Yom HaShoah Holocaust Memorial service at Congregation Kol Shalom in Annapolis to honor the millions of Jews targeted and murdered by the Nazi regime.

This #ThankYouThursday and Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, I want to thank the invaluable 911 Operators at Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Anne Arundel County Police Department.

After the county announced the acquisition of 47 acres of forested land in the Saltworks Creek watershed earlier this week, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth joined me to remove the “No Trespassing” sign at the property’s entrance.

On the latest episode of the Pittman and Friends podcast, I sit down with Karrisa Kelly, Director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities.

In honor of National Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week, I want to thank our fantastic team at Anne Arundel County Animal Services.

This afternoon, I joined Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, Councilmember Lisa Rodvien, the Earl family, Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, Chesapeake Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Trust,

Anne Arundel County has once again earned a Triple-A bond rating, the highest possible, from all three major credit agencies: Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings, and S&P Global Ratings.