Council Connections

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.

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  

COUNCIL SEEKS INVESTIGATION TO ADDRESS SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION SPENDING CONCERNS; SECURITY CAMERA AND CONSOLIDATED STORAGE BILLS MOVE FORWARD

The Prince George’s Council, during session on Tuesday, February 21^st, voted to authorize the signature of Council Chair Tom Dernoga on Proposed Correspondence to Maryland Inspector General for Education Richard Henry. The letter requests an investigation related to several school construction spending concerns raised during the Council’s Annual Retreat in December. CB-008-2023,  establishing a Private Security Camera Incentive Program that would encourage businesses and homeowners to set up cameras to increase security surveillance; and CB-11-2023,  prohibiting Consolidated Storage in certain Non-Residential and Transit -Oriented / Activity Center Base Zones, were also introduced and will now be scheduled for public hearing. For those interested in testifying, please bookmark the Council’s eComment portal page, and visit often for updates, public hearing notices and information on how to testify.

The Council also presented CB-023-2023, proposed legislation establishing the Prince George’s County Rental Assistance Program and Rental Assistance Fund, and CB-022-2023, proposed legislation concerning Cable Television. CR-009-2023, a Council Resolution concerning the County's Watershed Protection and Restoration Financial Assurance Plan was introduced.

The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) also convened Tuesday afternoon for a Legislative Branch Budget Briefing immediately following Council session.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE CONTINUES ADULT USE CANNABIS DISCUSSION The Council’s General Assembly Committee met Tuesday, February 21st, and continued the Adult Use Cannabis discussion, which focused on House Bill 556 – Medical Cannabis Reform Legislation. After expressing concerns around such issues as the oversaturation and location of dispensaries, Council Members voted to support the measure with recommendations. The General Assembly Committee also reviewed several local bills, including those related to land use development of neglected property; search committee requirements of Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO; and public campaign financing of Board of Education (BOE) Members, which received committee support, along with Statewide Bill HB 460 – Department of Housing and Community Development – Racial Impact Assessment 2023 Regular Session.

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.

TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE The Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee on Thursday, February 23rd, voted favorably to support CB-006-2023, legislation providing continued support for implementation of the Climate Action Plan.

Committee Chair Eric Olson, in response to resident concerns related to utility cuts on county roadways that are not adequately paved, welcomed Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) Director Michael Johnson for a Pavement Utility Cuts Process presentation.

Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) Deputy Directors Dawit Abraham and Lamont Hinton, along with Associate Director Behdad Kashanian, also joined the discussion and responded to questions from committee members. The next TIEE Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 9th at 10:00 a.m.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL POLICY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

The Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee (GOFP) convened on Thursday, February 23rd to review County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ appointment of Turkessa Brown and Regina Gilmore to the Human Rights Commission, which works to eliminate discriminatory practices within Prince George’s County through advocacy, education, mediation and investigation of complaints and enforcement of discrimination laws.

The committee also supported the appointment of Robert Windley to the Prince George’s County Board of Ethics. Appointments to the Human Rights Commission and the Board of Ethics received favorable consideration. The next GOFP Committee meeting is scheduled for March 9th at 1:30 p.m.

February 27 - Sitting as the District Council  - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

February 27 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

February 28 - General Assembly Committee  - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

February 28 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

February 28 - Black History Program - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

March 1 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS

March 2 - PHED Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

March 2 - HHSPS Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

IT’S COMING!  NEW TAX CREDIT FOR SENIORS!

The new senior tax credit, beginning July 1, 2023, will provide up to 20% of County Property Tax Credit, including any tax credit for home and homeowners, for up to 5 years. To be eligible, you must meet be 65 years or older; Possess and reside on a property for which credit is applied for at least the previous 10 years; the appraised value does not exceed $500,000 at the time of application; and the application is submitted before October 1 of the fiscal year in which the credit is applied.

For more information, please review the Elderly Property Tax Credit fact sheet.

El nuevo crédito fiscal para personas de la tercera edad, a partir del 1 de julio de 2023, proporcionará hasta un 20 % de crédito de los impuestos sobre la propiedad del condado, incluido cualquier crédito fiscal para propietarios de viviendas y viviendas, durante un máximo de 5 años. Para ser elegible, debe cumplir con los siguientes criterios: 1. 65 años o más, Y 2. Poseer y residir en una propiedad para la cual se solicita crédito durante al menos los 10 años anteriores, Y 3. El valor tasado no excede los $500,000 al momento de la solicitud, Y 4. La solicitud se realiza antes del 1 de octubre del año fiscal en el que se solicita el crédito.

Para obtener más información, consulte la hoja de datos del Crédito fiscal sobre la propiedad para personas de la tercera edad.

NEW YEAR! NEW ME! NEW BAG! YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT CAREER SYMPOSIUM – SIGN UP NOW!

Calling all 16-24-year-old Prince Georgians seeking employment, training opportunities, and community resources!  Employ Prince George’s wants you to attend the New year, New me, New bag, Youth and Young Adult Career Symposium, also known as the Career Takeover, at the Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex, on Tuesday, February 28^th , from 3pm – 7pm. Attendees can look forward to networking, in-person interviews, employer panels, door prizes, food, music, and live demonstrations!  Pre-Register HERE !

COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN A HOST OF OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY TO WELCOME VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY!

Vice President Kamala Harris was in Prince George’s County on Wednesday, February 22nd! Council Members connected with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Congressman Steny Hoyer on Wednesday afternoon on the campus of Bowie State University, for Vice President Kamala Harris’ announcement of a new action by the Biden-Harris Administration to lower costs for homebuyers and homeowners. HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge also participated in the event. Under the plan an estimated 850,000 homebuyers and homeowners with new FHA-insured mortgages would save an average of $800 per year, according to the White House.

READ MORE ABOUT PLAN – WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET

COUNCIL VICE CHAIR WALA BLEGAY MEETS WITH WESTPHALIA RESIDENTS

Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq., hosted the Westphalia Town Hall meeting to present information about proposed commercial development and strategize on the future of Westphalia. During the meeting, developers shared commercial development plans with the community. If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can WATCH on the District 6 Facebook page.

COUNCIL MEMBER INGRID WATSON CONTINUES MEET AND GREET EVENTS WITH DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS

District 4 Council Member Ingrid Watson continued to connect with District 4 residents with a virtual “Meet and Greet” event on Tuesday, February 21^st in Glenn Dale, and an in-person event on Wednesday, February 22^nd at Kenhill Center in Bowie.  Council Member Watson says the “Meet and Greet”" events, which include a welcome reception, community discussion, and question and answer period, also provide an important opportunity to learn more about the issues of concern to residents.

The meetings also share important resources for residents. Those who attended the most recent meetings learned more about the County’s 3-1-1 system, and during the Bowie meeting, residents also heard from the Bowie Police Chief and Deputy Chief; the Prince George’s Planning Department, and the County’s Appointment Liaison who shared opportunities to serve on various County’s boards.

COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA HOLDS VIRTUAL PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN HALL; HELPS DISTRIBUTE GROCERIES TO DISTRICT 7 RESIDENTS

District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha held a Public Safety Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, February 22nd. She was joined by State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, Police Chief Malik Aziz and Sheriff John Carr. In addition to receiving updates, residents also had an opportunity to ask questions and share their community concerns with Council Member Oriadha and the event’s featured guests. Council Member Oriadha says The People’s Council is committed to engaging residents and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to address public safety and crime in our communities. “Effectively addressing the County’s public safety challenges will require ongoing dialogue and engagement, and The People’s Council is committed to prompting the types of conversations that lay the groundwork for effective change. It is encouraging that several of my Council colleagues are also hosting public safety events and spurring conversation on this issue because there is no shortage of work ahead to ensure communities are safe and residents remain free from harm. I look forward to an informative evening.”

Also this week, Council Member Krystal Oriadha joined Operation Earnie’s Plate Free Grocery Giveaway in Capital Heights! Operations Ernie’s Plate , a nonprofit group that provides groceries to families throughout the County. Visit earniesplate.org to learn more about the work of this organization.