March 2019

QUICK LINKS

Prince George's County Government Council

Chair Turner's Web Page

District 4 Web Page

Prince George's County Public Schools

Connect to the City of Bowie

Connect to the City of Greenbelt

Bowie BIC

CouncilConnection

Prince George's County Memorial Library System

Bowie Branch

South Bowie Branch

Greenbelt Branch

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Prince George's Community College Scholarships

As the cost of education continues to increase, scholarships play an increasingly important role in helping meet the needs of more students in the community.  For students interested in attending Prince George's Community College, I encourage you to complete an online Scholarship Application which is now available on PGCC webpage.  Also, a scholarship booklet with additional information can be picked up in the Financial Aid Office located on campus.  To speak to a college staffer, please call 301-546-7422.

2019 CBC Spouse Education Scholarship

Deadline: March 31, 2019 

This opportunity awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated African-American students pursuing a career in public service, and receiving an associates, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree. For more information on applying and the requirements, please visit the Congressional Black Caucus website; call 202.263.2800 or send email to  scholarships@cbcfinc.org.

4TH DISTRICT OFFICE NEWS

University of Maryland Intern for A Day

On March 19th, I was pleased to welcome Gina Won as an intern in our office for the day to learn more about my position as an elected official.  She attended Council Session, and had the opportunity to meet other officials, council staff and learn more about the legislative process.  Gina, a Laurel resident, is a University of Maryland sophomore with a double major in Government and Politics, and Japanese.  UMD's Intern for a Day program connects undergraduate students with alumni, parents, employers and community partners for one day internship/shadowing experiences. 

PAST EVENTS

FAME Ribbon Cutting

On March 2^nd I join Executive Director A. Toni Lewis, Executive Director, Board Members, students and families of The Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education (FAME), along with Council colleagues Derrick L. Davis and Calvin Hawkins, III, for the unveiling of their new art laboratory. The lab was funded by the United Parcel Service and PEPCO and will be used by the students for music theory, music composition, homework, and more.  For more information on FAME, please visit their website or call 301-805-5358.

Celebrating 44 Years of Service

The Maryland General Assembly held a special event on March 5^th recognizing Delegate Joseph Vallario, Jr. and his 44 years of service to Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.

GPGBR State of the School System Luncheon

On the March 6th I addressed the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable State of the Education System Luncheon.   Prince George’s County Schools Interim CEO, Dr. Monica Goldson delivered the State of the Education System Address at the event in Clinton.  I was later interviewed about the link between education and business by Prince George’s Community Television.

Young Visitor to the County Council

On March 12^th Council Members and I greeted a special guest - 8-year-old Michael Bell, a second-grader at J. Frank Dent Elementary School in Oxon Hill, who aspires to one day be U.S. President, and his mom Jasmia Smith.  We wish Michael well with his efforts.

Women in Education

I was pleased to join with Bowie State University President, Dr. Aminta Breaux, and the five African-American women School Superintendents in Maryland - including our own Dr. Monica Goldson - for a Women's History Month Forum on education on March 13^th.

Ribbon Cutting in Bowie

I was pleased to join with the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce to assist with the Ribbon Cutting officially opening the office of Rochelle Jones, Financial Advisor for the Edward Jones Companies in Bowie on March 15^th.

Opening of Breast Cancer Prevention Clinic

On March 16^th I welcomed the African Women's Cancer Awareness Association's Breast Cancer Prevention Clinic to the 4th Council District in Greenbelt. This not-for-profit organization was established in 2004 as an organization dedicated to improving health care delivery and services to African women with cancer through education, resources and training. For more information, please visit their website. 

Grand Opening in Bowie

On March 20th I attended the Grand Opening of the Courtyard by Marriott at Melford in Bowie.   This 144 room hotel, owned by Ernest Murphy, is the first in Bowie in several years.

Farewell Celebration

On March 20th I joined the members of Reid Temple AME Church in their Farewell Celebration Worship Service for the Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington.  Rev. Washington was honored for his over 30 years of service to the church and community.

Greetings from Chair Turner

Welcome to the March 2019 edition of the 4^th District Legislative Email Newsletter.  With the start of spring, we also begin the County’s budget process, and look towards the end of the General Assembly session.  Here are a few updates on both, as well as other events and information of interest.

Council Responds to Derogatory Comments About Prince George's County by Maryland Delegate

On February 28^th, the Prince George’s County Council and I responded to the offensive and derogatory comments referring to Prince George’s County by Maryland Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti.  The Council joined with County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s Delegations and many others to condemn the statement, encouraging the General Assembly take action against Delegate Lisanti.  She was subsequently unanimously censured by her colleagues in the House of Delegates.  For a copy of the Council’s statement, please click here.

Maryland General

Assembly Update

On March 12th I joined Delegates Michael A. Jackson and Alonzo Washington, and County Council Member Jolene Ivey in testifying before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 662, a bill seeking to lift a State imposed condition to allow for the adaptive reuse of the Glenn Dale Hospital site.

The General Assembly is in the last 30 days of the 2019 session and we continue to advocate for the issues important to County residents, including funding for education and school construction, transportation and healthcare.  For additional information, please visit the General Assembly webpage.

County Executive Proposed FY 2020 Budget Released

The County Council started our Fiscal Year 2020 County Budget review process after receiving a proposed budget briefing from County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks on March 4th. The Proposed FY 2020 Budget for all operating funds is $4.21 billion, an increase of $106 million or 2.6% over the FY 2019 budget. This fund supports most County government services and programs including public schools ($2.0B), public safety ($793M), general government ($94M), public works, the environment and other critical services. The FY 2020 proposed budget is framed around being fiscally responsible while providing core services for the residents of the County.  To view the Budget in Brief – please link here.  To read the Bowie Blade budget article, visit their website.

County Council

Budget Public Hearings

The County Council will conduct a series of public hearings on aspects of the County Executive’s proposed spending plan for Fiscal Year 2020 starting next month, including the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) pursuant to the County Charter.   Please find below a flyer with the upcoming Public Hearings for public participation.  For the County Council’s FY 2020 Budget page, including reports & reviews, please click this link.  The Council is required by the County Charter to adopt a balanced budget by June 1^st.  For a copy of my statement on the FY 2020 budget, please visit this link.

County Council Welcomes Amazon to D.C. Region During Council session on March 12th, the Prince George’s County Council voted unanimously to authorize a Council letter welcoming Amazon HQ2 to the Washington Metropolitan Region.  The Council letter also echoes County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ sentiments in her February correspondence to Amazon, announcing the County’s readiness to partner with the multinational Ecommerce Company.    Click here to view the related press release.

PGCPS Adopt A School Program

The Adopt-A-School Program was created to support public schools throughout the county through enhanced educational experiences, financial support and volunteerism focused on improving outcomes for students. Our goal is for all of Prince George's County schools to be adopted by a business, community or interfaith partner for the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Learn more about the adopt a school program and print flyers by clicking on the following link.

Click here to print flyer.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Meet the Commissioners

I-495/I-270

Managed Lane Public Sessions

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will be hosting a series of community meetings in Prince George’s County this spring regarding the Managed Lane Study for I-495/I-270 (Beltway). The announcement below provides information about the study and upcoming community meetings in Prince George’s County.   Questions about the I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study should be directed to the study via email at 495-270-P3@sha.state.md.us or toll free at 833-858-5960 or visit the MDOT webpage.

Community Clean Up

Saturday, May 4th, 2019

Please enjoy the start of spring.  As always, please reach out to my office for any assistance you may need during the year.

I am Sincerely Yours in Service,

The Honorable Todd M. Turner
Council Chair
4^th Council District