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 It is a New Day. We are charting in a new course, a new direction, toward a Council evermore committed to service to the People - The People's Council. We pledge to a new day where transparency and accountability are the watchwords that guide our Council and our commitment to the People’s Agenda.
The PEOPLE’S AGENDA is bringing the Council to the people and committed to the following focus areas:
- Ensuring Transparency in Our Government
- Increasing Services for Our Residents
- Preserving our Green Space and Protect Our Environment
- Supporting Smart and Quality Development for Our Community
- Supporting Our Working Families
- Increasing Opportunities for Our Local Minority Businesses and Nonprofits
- Bringing Access to Quality Healthcare to Our Communities
In the words of one of the greatest authors of our time, Dr. Maya Angelou, "Nothing will work unless you do." And nothing will work unless we do.
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 The County Council is proud to announce its return to in-person meetings. However, given the current state of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and to maintain the safety of the Council, staff, and members of the public, the Council is operating under modified hybrid operational procedures for other Legislative Branch services.
LEARN MORE about Public Testimony and Upcoming Opportunities for Public Comment
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DISTRICT COUNCIL ADDRESSES ZONING AND LAND USE MATTERS
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council, has the authority to review and decide zoning and land use matters for most of Prince George’s County. Convening on Monday, February 13th, the District Council Session included the review of Oral Arguments for Royal Farms in District 2, Forest Hills in District 6, and Kenwood Village, a New Case in District 6. The District Council also addressed two Items Pending Finality, Westgate Apartments in District 1, and 9113 Baltimore Avenue in District 3. The District Council is granted authority to act on zoning matters by the State of Maryland Regional District Act, now in the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code.
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COUNCIL PASSES PILOT PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT LEGISLATION
The Prince George’s Council, during session on Tuesday, February 14th, voted 9-1 to support CB-004-2023, legislation establishing a Pilot Project Labor Agreement (PLA) targeting Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) Curb and Road Rehabilitation 2 construction projects that create entry-level construction jobs for residents that are both necessary and desirable.
District 8 Council Member Edward P. Burroughs III, proposer of the measure, noted the critical need to hire and train local construction workers, providing opportunities for residents to acquire lifelong skills and earn family supporting wages.
“I am so honored to be a part of The People’s Council. One of our top pillars is supporting working families and this bill perfectly aligns with that purpose. The Council has a responsibility to use its legislative powers to guarantee that a significant share of taxpayer dollars spent on local construction projects are reinvested back into our communities to uplift County residents, and that’s what this pilot will do. Project Labor Agreements have a proven track record of fostering positive benefits, ensuring compliance with workplace safety and health standards and wage protections and equal opportunity. It is a common phenomenon in our County to pull up to construction projects and see license plates from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and otherwise. It is important that we shift that – that we invest in our own.”
 In other action, Council Members addressed Proposed Correspondence, and received briefings on the FY 2024 Legislative Branch Budget, and the Economic Development Incentive Fund (EDIF) Program.
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GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BRIEFS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The Greater Washington Community Foundation’s stated mission is to mobilize philanthropy, lead community impact initiatives, and invest in solutions that respond to today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges throughout the region. For several years the foundation has worked in partnership with Prince George’s County and the County Council, and on Monday, February 13th, President and CEO Tonia Wellons, and Prince George’s County Program Senior Director Darcelle Wilson, provided the Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) with a briefing on the foundation’s work to date, and its ambitions related to future investments in Prince George’s County.
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE RECEIVES ADULT USE CANNABIS BRIEFING
The Council’s General Assembly Committee met Tuesday, February 14th, and began the scheduled session with an Adult Use Cannabis Briefing, which included an overview of the Cannabis Reform Bill pending before the Maryland General Assembly. Following the presentation, General Assembly Committee members continued their ongoing review of state and local bills with potential policy or fiscal impacts on Prince George’s County.
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 The committee, which meets again on Tuesday, February 21st at 9:00 a.m., voted to support HB 294: County Boards of Education - Due Process Proceedings for Children with Disabilities - Burden of Proof.
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SUPPORTS PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE TO MARYLAND’S INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR EDUCATION
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 The Council’s Education and Workforce Development Committee (EWD), on Tuesday, February 14th, voted favorably to support the Council’s review of Proposed Correspondence to Inspector General Richard Henry. The letter requests an investigation related to several school construction spending concerns raised during the Council’s Annual Retreat in December. EWD Committee members also received a briefing on the Summer Youth Enrichment Program and the Blueprint for Maryland Future Acts Career & Technical Education, which included an Implementing Blueprint CTE Reform in Prince George’s presentation from Maryland State Senator, The Honorable James C. Rosapepe, among several presenters. The next EWD Committee meeting is scheduled for February 27th at 1:30 p.m.
PLANNING, HOUSING, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REVIEWS EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS; SUPPORTS ZONING MEASURE
The Council’s Planning Housing and Economic Development Committee (PHED) reviewed County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday, February 16th. The Historic Preservation Commission is charged with recommending historic resources for classification at Historic Sites or Historic Districts, maintaining an inventory of historic resources, acting on applications for Historic Area Work Permits and recommending legislation to encourage historic preservation. Dr. Jane Carpenter-Rock, Dr. Arlisha Norwood, Pamela Jenkins and Kelly Porter received favorable committee consideration. PHED also addressed CB-021-2023, legislation amending the Zoning Ordinance to provide a transitional period for development, which was voted favorable. The next PHED meeting is scheduled for March 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
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HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REVIEWS EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT TO POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD; RECEIVES BRIEFING FROM STATE’S ATTORNEY AISHA BRAVEBOY
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COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN LABOR TO WELCOME PRESIDENT BIDEN TO PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY!
 Prince George’s County Council Members were among the labor leaders, workers and other officials welcoming President Joe Biden to IBEW Local 26 in Lanham, Maryland on Wednesday! President Biden delivered remarks on the economy and shared how his policies are working. You just may spot a few familiar Council faces when you WATCH THE C-SPAN VIDEO!
 We’re also sharing the special shoutout Council Member Jolene Ivey and her husband, Congressman Glenn Ivey got from President Biden! They are pictured above in their formal photo with POTUS!
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 February 21 - General Assembly Committee - 9:00 AM
February 21 - County Council - 2:30 PM - DETAILS
February 21 - Sitting as the Committe of the Whole - 3:00 PM - DETAILS
February 21 - Town Hall Meeting - 6:00 PM - CANCELED
February 22 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS
February 22 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS
February 23 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM
February 23 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM
Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page
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ALERT! SNAP BENEFITS ARE CHANGING – MARCH 2023
 Emergency Allotments (EA), the temporarily increased SNAP benefits issued due to COVID-19 pandemic, are ending in February. This means that all SNAP allotments for March 2023 will return to standard SNAP benefit amounts without the added supplement. If you or someone you know is at risk of experiencing food insecurity and hardship, please contact the Maryland Food Bank or Capital Area Food Bank.
COUNTY COUNCIL PARTNERS WITH M-NCPPC TO GIVE KIDS A BOOST WITH FREE WEEKEND TUTORING
 The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County in partnership with the Prince George’s County Council is proud to announce its new weekend tutoring program, Saturday Enrichment Academy (SEA), to help improve grades and test scores of County youth. In this three-hour weekly program, learning coaches use creative ways to meet the needs and styles of participants in grades 1-3 to promote academic acceleration. SEA is FREE for Prince George’s County residents ages 6-9 and takes place at nine Department locations March 4 – June 10, 2023, from 9:30am – 12:30pm. Registration is now open HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA FEATURED GUEST ON ABC NEWS LIVE FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH
 District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha joined ABC News’ Kyra Philips on Thursday, February 16th to discuss different ways to celebrate #everythingblack for Black History Month! She also highlighted Black authors during this inspiring interview, "We need to be creating space to celebrate these authors."
COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEND ‘STATE OF THE CHAMBER BREAKFAST’
 County Council Members, committed to increasing Opportunities for Local Minority Businesses and Nonprofits as part of its ‘People’s Agenda,’ were special guests at the “State of the Chamber Breakfast,” hosted by the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit organization representing businesses in Prince George’s County and one of the largest chambers in the state of Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan region. The event was held on Wednesday, February 15th, in College Park. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks was the special guest speaker.
COUNCIL MEMBERS SYDNEY HARRISON AND CALVIN HAWKINS ACCEPT TOUCH OF CLASS AWARD HONORS FROM THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
 The Maryland Horse Council (MHC) co-hosted the 2023 Maryland Horse Industry Day in Annapolis this week and Prince George’s County was honored with the Touch of Class Award for bringing the Washington International Horse Show back to Maryland. Among the honorees from Prince George’s County, were District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison and Council Member At-Large Calvin S. Hawkins, II. The Touch of Class Award was named in honor of the Maryland mare, Touch of Class, who won two gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. CHAIR!
 Celebrating Council Chair Tom Dernoga’s birthday on Thursday, February 16th! Happy Birthday Mr. Chair!
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