Phil Andrews (politician)

In December 2014, Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy hired Andrews to develop and implement crime prevention initiatives, beginning with the establishment of mental health courts, and to strengthen community outreach.

In addition, he has led efforts that have expanded the Office's educational programs to students and parents on internet safety and cyberbullying to prevent crime and victimization.

In 2008-09, during the height of the Great Recession, Andrews was elected by his colleagues as Council President, where he led efforts that protected emergency and essential services and that balanced a very difficult budget without raising taxes or laying off employees.

He authored and championed the law reforming an abused police disability retirement system (2009), saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

In addition, Andrews was the lead sponsor of the Winter Pedestrian Safety Act (2001), which requires that property owners make sidewalks safely passable within 24 hours after a snowfall, and of the nation's first local law prohibiting genetic discrimination in employment (2000).

In 2010, he helped lead the countywide effort that resulted in voter rejection of ambulance fees at referendum, and was instrumental in defeating a 2011 bill to establish a permanent county-wide youth curfew.

During his tenure, he led the statewide campaign that resulted in General Assembly passage of the first limits on political action committee (PAC) contributions in Maryland state and county elections, the enactment of the law prohibiting registered lobbyists from fundraising for members of the General Assembly, and prohibiting legislators from accepting honoraria for speeches and articles.