Greetings from Chair Turner
Welcome to the March 2019 edition of the 4th 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 28th, 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.
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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 1st. 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.
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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
Each spring and fall, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) hosts a countywide community clean up program. This event supports our initiative to make our community cleaner and greener by conducting individual community plantings and coordinating beautification activities throughout the County. 'Growing Green with Pride,' in collaboration with Keep Prince George’s County Beautiful, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, demonstrates our shared commitment to keeping our communities appealing and attractive. Community organizations and groups are encouraged to participate by planning early in each season. Resources are available to help provide landscaping ideas, planting materials, proper planting instructions for trees, shrubs and flowers, as well as litter collection supplies. This is a volunteer program. For more information on how to participate and register your community, please contact DPW&T offices on 301-883-5600 or click on the following link.
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 4th Council District |