GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Council’s General Assembly Committee, reviews State and local Prince George’s County bills with potential policy or fiscal impacts on the County, during the Maryland General Assembly Session. Monday, March 18 was Crossover Day, the deadline for Chambers to send one another the bills they intend to pass and transmit them to the Governor. The Council’s General Assembly committee met Monday, to review and discuss the status of more than 90 pieces of legislation currently before the General Assembly. Council Members also heard a moving tribute to the late former Maryland Governor Harry Hughes.
WATCH Monday’s General Assembly committee meeting.
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 COUNCIL MEMBERS TESTIFY IN ANNAPOLIS
Council Chair Todd M. Turner, joined by Council Member Jolene Ivey, testified last week before the House of Delegates’ Environment & Transportation Committee, which includes Delegates Marvin Holmes, Jr., Anne Healey, and former County Council Members, Delegate Andrea Harrison and Delegate Mary Lehman, on HB 662. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Alonzo Washington & Delegate Erek Barron, seeks to lift a State-imposed condition to allow for the adaptive reuse of the Glenn Dale Hospital site.
STATEMENT - COUNCIL CHAIR TURNER RESPONDS TO MASSACRE AT MOSQUES IN NEW ZEALAND
The Prince George’s County Council joins with global voices condemning the massacre that took the lives of 50 Muslim worshippers and injured 50 others during Friday Prayer at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Read the Chair’s Statement in its entirety.
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 COUNCIL BEGINS BUDGET REVIEW PROCESS FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S PROPOSED FY 2020 BUDGET
The County Council received an overview of the Fiscal Year 2020 Operating and Capital Budget proposals from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks on March 14th, and now begins its budget review process. The 2020 Fiscal Year begins July 1, 2019. Pursuant to the County Charter, the County Council, in its role as fiscal steward over taxpayer dollars, must adopt a balanced spending plan for Prince George’s County on or before June 1. Following the briefing, Council Chair Todd M. Turner issued a statement – “Addressing the County’s budget priorities in Fiscal Year 2020 demands efficient and effective management of the County’s finances, and we appreciate the great vision, focus and diligence of the Executive Branch in formulating this proposed spending plan.” Read the Full Statement. For updated information on the Council budget process, committee work sessions and public hearings, visit the Council’s FY 2020 Budget.
COUNCIL CONVENES LEGISLATIVE SESSION; APPROVES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT; HOLDS BRIEFINGS
The County Council convened in Legislative Session on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Council action included the adoption of CR-021-2019, a Resolution concerning Economic Development, revising the County’s policy for the use of Tax Increment Financing and other financial tools and incentives to fund economic and community development projects and initiatives in the County. Council Members also unanimously approved the Executive appointment of Terry L. Bellamy to serve as Director of the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation. WATCH Tuesday’s session for the full agenda, including two briefings to the Council – one on the Environmental Justice Commission Report, and the other on the Comprehensive Housing Strategy “Housing Opportunities for All” Report
 PROCLAMATIONS
The County Council presented three proclamations during Tuesday’s Legislative Session. Council Chair Todd M. Turner and Vice Chair Rodney C. Streeter recognized the 2019 Valor Awards Luncheon in Prince George’s County. Department of Corrections Director Mary Lou McDonough accepted the proclamation on behalf of the County’s public safety officials.
Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros and Chair Turner presented a proclamation to the Reverend Ben Slye, Pastor, the Christian of Life Center, for “Exceptional Community Service in Prince George’s County.”
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At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II and Chair Turner also presented a proclamation to the President of the Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects – Capital Area, recognizing the month of April 2019 as “Arab American Heritage Month,” in Prince George’s County.
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HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE CONDUCTS AGENCY OVERSIGHT
The Council’s Health, Human Services and Public Safety (HHSPS) committee met Wednesday, March 20th to review CR-020-2019, a proposed Resolution authorizing the creation of a Food Truck Hub at Streetcar 82 Brewing Company in the City of Hyattsville. HHSPS committee members also received a briefing from the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council and conducted three agency oversight briefing for the Health Department, the Department of Family Services, and the Department of Social Services. WATCH the HHSPS March 20th meeting.
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COUNCIL’S EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECEIVES IMPORTANT COUNTY SCHOOLS UPDATES
The Council’s Education and Workforce Development (EWD) committee met Wednesday afternoon, March 20th, to receive two briefings. The first briefing was provided by the Council’s appointed School Board Member, Curtis Valentine, M.P.P. The second briefing was delivered by Prince George’s County Public Schools Interim CEO, Dr. Monica Goldson, providing an update on recommendations and next steps for the Continuous Business Improvement Study, also known as the
County Performance Audit. WATCH the EWD March 20th meeting.
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PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REVIEWS LEGISLATION
The Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) committee met Thursday, March 21st, to consider two legislative measures. CB-004-2019, is a proposed bill seeking to clarify the method of operations at Farmer’s Markets. PHED members also reviewed CR-016-2019, a proposed resolution establishing a Housing Opportunities for All Workgroup to assist the County with setting priorities and implementing the Comprehensive Housing Strategy Report for Prince George’s County; and to provide advice on any proposed legislation and/or changes for consideration by the County to the County’s policies, regulations, procedures, and distribution of County resources. See Details on the PHED committee meeting on March 21st.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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 COUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS HOSTS 9th SEMI-ANNUAL NONPROFIT NETWORKING BREAKFAST
District 3 Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros hosted her 9th Semi-Annual Nonprofit Networking Breakfast on March 8th. More than 75 individuals representing more than 50 nonprofit organizations attended the event at the University of Maryland’s Do Good Accelerator, a collaborative space on campus that supports and helps to scale up students' innovative solutions to our world's most pressing challenges. Participating nonprofits learned more about connecting with the numerous resources offered by the University of Maryland, including the Do Good Institute, Office of Community Engagement, and more. Council Member Glaros extended special thanks to County Executive Alsobrooks’ Director of Strategic Partnerships, Diana Leon-Brown, for attending.
 COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER LAUNCHES #DRIVINGITHOME – A SAFE DRIVING PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker held a press conference on Friday, March 22nd, at Oxon Hill High School, to announce the official launch of #DrivingItHome, a partnership initiative to raise awareness about safe driving in District 8 and throughout Prince George’s County through community engagement. Council Member Anderson-Walker was joined by At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II, At-Large Council Member Mel Franklin, District 1 Council Member Tom Dernoga, and District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison, Deputy County Administrative Officer for Public Safety Mark Magaw, and Prince George’s County Fire Chief Benjamin Barksdale, and a host of other officials. For additional information, or to learn how you can participate, please click HERE.
 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH LUNCHEON
The Prince George’s County Council and Legislative Branch joined in the annual Women’s History Month Luncheon, celebrating the “Visionary Women” in Prince George’s County. We especially honor the elected women serving on the Prince George’s County Council – the Honorable Dannielle M. Glaros, District 3; The Honorable Deni L. Taveras, District 2; The Honorable Jolene Ivey, District 5; and The Honorable Monique Anderson-Walker, District 8. Congratulations on another successful event and thank you to the women serving the Legislative Branch!
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