Greetings District 8 Neighbors,
This "ORANGE ALERTS" will address information that may ease your mind a bit and provide resources that are needed. In this eighth month of the pandemic, the stress and fatigue levels are heightened in all of our homes. I realized that while many are struggling financially, this was definitely not the time to increase property taxes. Bills are due, some are overdue, medical bills have crippled households, mental and physical health have been impacted with these circumstances, people have experienced loss of jobs and loss of lives, domestic violence has heightened and the mere unknown has made indelible marks in our new reality. Read on to see if the information below can assist you, your families and friends in some way. I hope that it can!
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Wednesday, October 27th Council Meeting: The third reading and enactment of CB-57-2020 which sets the Homestead Property Tax Credit for the County property tax for the taxable year beginning July 1, 2021, was motioned for enactment by Councilmember Dernoga and I seconded the motion. This means that the largest portion of your County tax bill will now have an assessment increase, which is limited to 1%.
Many of you, and other residents across the county, participated in the town halls that Council Member Tom Dernoga, Council Member Jolene Ivey and I held on CB-57-2020 and testified in a public hearing which literally stopped the County Council effort repeal the Homestead Property Tax Credit, which could have resulted in property tax assessments increases of up to 10% a year. Your Voices Matters!
The October 27th vote was 6-2-3 (AYE: Dernoga, Anderson-Walker, Ivey, Harrison, Hawkins, Streeter; NO: Davis, Franklin; ABSTAIN: Turner, Glaros, Taveras). CLICK HERE to listen to the Vote and discussion (39:50).
Alert: IF YOU HAVE UTILITY DEBT, YOU ARE AT RISK OF DISCONNECTION!
Action: Urgent Need for Stories About Unaffordable Utility Debt
Deadline: Please fill out the brief public comment form below by November 5, 2020.
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The Maryland Energy Efficiency for All Coalition, comprised of experts in housing and energy policy, advocate for low-income multi-family and single-family households.https://www.youtube.com/c/MarylandPSC
On November 9, 2020 and November 10, 2020, the Maryland Public Service Commission will be holding a public hearing on proposals for what electric and natural gas companies should do for customers who are at risk of disconnection due to large utility bill debt (also called arrearages) during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Utilities have been asked to develop proposals for the commission to consider that could include debt forgiveness (arrearage forgiveness) or debt management programs (arrearage management plans) that could reduce or eliminate the customer’s utility debt.
Your public comments are critical in informing the Commission about the urgent need for helpful utility debt forgiveness programs. Please share your story with the Maryland Public Service Commissioner. A short, simple form is provided below.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
To watch the hearing: The hearing will be live streamed on the Commission’s YouTube channel on November 9 and 10 starting at 10:00 am at https://www.youtube.com/c/MarylandPSC.
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IMPORTANT REMINDER! We shared that this program re-launched on 10/27/20 FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS - Department of Housing & Community Development providing the Emergency Rental Assistance Program for eligible owners, landlords or property managers to apply on behalf of their tenants to receive financial assistance for past due rental payments dating back to April 1, 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. DEADLINES for applications is Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
If you missed the October 15, 2020, ZOOM informative session "Foreclosure for the Maryland Citizen: What to do to Avoid the Unthinkable" we hosted with the Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County, Inc., here is the YouTube link of the very thorough presentation with resources. Click Here
Vote in person or drop off your ballots at one of the 42 drop box locations. District 8 location is: Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744. When I voted this week, I was proud to see the turnout, people casting their votes inside, or driving or walking up to the Ballot Box. Try your best to vote in person or by dropping your ballot in a designated Ballot Box. If you have to mail your ballot in, try to take it in to the post office for them to process. Deadline for the postmark is on or before November 3rd by 5 pm. for your vote to be counted. REMEMBER YOU MUST USE A BLACK PEN, SIGN YOUR BALLOT ENVELOPE, DATE IT & PRINT YOUR NAME.
County Executive Alsobrooks announced today that Prince George's County was leading in early voting, let us continue to be the #1 area for casting our votes. We are Community Strong! Continue to let your VOICE be heard!
Join Us Friday, October 30, 2020 - 7:00-8:30 pm for a Domestic Violence Webinar hosted by Gabriel’s Lyric Therapeutic Services, LLC. Domestic Violence has sadly heightened during the pandemic. Tell a friend or someone you know to also tune in, as we emphasize the need to Stop The Silence and End The Violence! The Webinar will provide resources and information that could help and even save lives. Love Should Not Hurt! On Friday, October 30th - 7:00-8:30 pm, click on https://www.facebook.com/GLTSLLC
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NEXT WEEK, DUE TO THE ELECTION, ST. STEPHEN BAPTIST CHURCH FOOD WILL PROVIDE FOOD ON WEDNESDAY, 11/4 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, NOT ON TUESDAY, 11/3. THIS CHANGE IS ONLY FOR NEXT WEEK. FOOD DISTRIBUTION WILL RESUME ON TUESDAYS, STARTING ON 11/10. |
County Executive Alsobrooks shared in her Press Conference today that Prince George's County will remain in Phase 2 Reopening. Since August, we experienced the highest increase of 19% with 852 new cases during the week of October 18th. Stay Safe, Healthy, Wear Your Mask, Social Distance and Stay Informed! Please do not have a traditional Halloween this year, it is not safe. A majority of the Covid-19 cases are being traced to individuals being at family gatherings. We must continue to adapt along the way to stay healthy and save lives!
Your Voice and Your Vote Matter! We Are ALL In This Together!
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