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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.
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‘JAYZ AGNEW LAW’ RECEIVES UNANIMOUS COUNCIL SUPPORT
 “It has been four months since Jayz Agnew was fatally shot in his front yard while raking leaves and to date, there has been no arrest in the crime. Security cameras could have led police to finding those responsible for this tragic loss. Juanita Agnew, Jayz mother, has been working with my office to find a solution so this doesn’t happen to another family, which is what we hope to accomplish with this bill. I want to thank Ms. Agnew and her family for their perseverance and advocacy around this bill.” – Council Member Krystal Oriadha
The Prince George’s County Council unanimously passed Council Bill CB-008-2023, also known as the “Jayz Agnew Law,” during session on Tuesday, March 21st. The People’s Council championed this new law in honor of 13-year-old Jayz Agnew, who was fatally shot in front of his home while raking leaves. To date, no arrests have been made in the case. Jayz Law, proposed by District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, establishes a Private Security Camera Incentive Program in the County, encouraging businesses and homeowners to increase security surveillance in the surrounding community with the installation of cameras.
READ MORE ABOUT THE PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE:
In other Council action on Tuesday, several measures were introduced and presented, including CB-043-2023, the Bring Your Own Bag Act of 2023; CB-044-2023, requiring gas stations to display the credit card price on their signs; and CB-045-2023, providing authorization in the Zoning Ordinance for alternate development regulations for development of land owned by the Redevelopment Authority. Proposed Correspondence was considered and CR-20-2023, concerning a Minor Amendment to the 2006 Approved Master Plan and Sectional Map Amendment for the Henson Creek-South Potomac Planning Area was adopted.
OVERFLOW CROWD PARTICIPATES IN COUNTY COUNCIL’S TOWN HALL ON PROPERTY STANDARDS, ENFORCEMENT, PERMITTING AND INSPECTIONS
 There was standing room only in the Hearing Room and an overflow room for Tuesday’s Council Town Hall meeting on Property Standards, Enforcement, Permitting and Inspections, as the Council works to identify areas for improvement. Residents and business owners lined up for hours of testimony on their experiences with the property standards, enforcement, permitting and inspection functions of County Government. They also shared their ideas about how these functions could more efficiently meet the needs of the community. Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) leadership offered a presentation and responded to questions.
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADDRESSES “CROSSOVER DAY” BILLS
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 The General Assembly Committee convened this week to address local and statewide bills impacting Prince George’s County under consideration by the County’s House and Senate Delegation. Committee members, during a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 21st. Local bills related to “Crossover Day” in the Maryland General Assembly were also discussed. Crossover Day, which took place on Monday, March 20th, is the deadline that determines if a bill will be able to pass this session, which ends April 10th. Local bills moving forward included those in the areas of housing, economic, public safety, alcohol, and education. For a complete list of measures reviewed during General Assembly, Click HERE.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MOVES MEASURES FORWARD FOR COUNCIL REVIEW; RECEIVES BRIEFINGS FROM GWCF AND PRINCE GEORGE’S PROVIDER COUNCIL
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 Following a Greater Washington Community Foundation briefing on Global Basic Income, Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee (HHSPS) during the March 20th meeting, members moved several measures forward including, CR-018-2023, creating the Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program; CB-029-2023, CB-028-2023, and CB-027-2023, Collective Bargaining Agreement legislation; CR-012-2023, CR-011-2023, and CR-010-2023, Compensation and Benefits measures. Prior to adjournment, the Prince George’s County Providers Council provided Council Members with an Update from the Disability Service Community.
BETTER BAG BILL, AND WATERSHED PROTECTION AND RESTORATION ADDRESSED DURING TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
The County Council finds that the use of single-use carryout bags by consumers at retail establishments is detrimental to the environment, public health, and welfare of County residents, and that it is in the best interests of maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of County residents and visitors to reduce the distribution of single-use carryout bags and incentivize the use of reusable bags. In response, the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee (TIEE) reviewed CB-032-2023, a Better Bag Bill, on Thursday, March 23rd. Following a robust discussion and input from stakeholders, the measure was held and will be taken up in next week’s committee meeting. CR-009-2023 legislation approving Prince George's County's Watershed Protection and Restoration Financial Assurance Plan (FAP), was approved for Council consideration. Committee Members also received a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Budget Briefing from General Manager, Kishia Powell.
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GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL POLICY COMMITTEE FORWARDS OPEN DATA LEGISLATION TO COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION
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 The Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee (GOFP), convened on Thursday, March 23rd, for the review of CB-035-2023, an Act concerning the Classification Plan which was favorably recommended for Council consideration; and CB-041-2023, legislation revoking the establishment of a business improvement district in the Northern Gateway, which was held at the request of the bill’s sponsor, District 2 Council Member Wanika Fisher, noting the need for further discussion and community input.
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IT’S BUDGET SEASON! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! SIGN UP TO SPEAK!
 The Council’s Budget Review Process has begun! The People’s Council wants to hear your budget priorities as we work to produce a final FY 2024 spending plan for Prince George’s County that reflects our commitment to the People’s Agenda. Please mark your calendars now for important budget public hearing dates and to sign up to speak. Budget meeting schedules are subject to change. All Council meetings, including budget sessions, are live streamed and available via the Council’s website for on-demand viewing. For updated information on the Council budget process, committee work sessions and public hearings, visit the Council’s FY24 Budget Portal.
DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL MEMBER ERIC OLSON AMONG MARYLAND LEADERS CELEBRATING METRO BUILDING OPENING AT NEW CARROLLTON
 “We welcome Metro’s new Maryland Headquarters, and its 1,200 employees, to New Carrollton! With this move, Metro joins a growing transit-oriented community of jobs and residences at this dynamic location.” – Council Member Eric Olson, Chair, Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee
 District 3 Council Member Eric Olson, was among a host of Maryland’s local and state leaders, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, joining Metro’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the Metro Building at New Carrollton. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the continued transformation of New Carrollton as a transit-accessible hub for office space, housing, and retail. Metro’s newest office building brings together Metro’s call centers for customer service, MetroAccess, and parking under one roof, and serves as the headquarters for Metro Transit Police. The 324,000 square foot building is LEED Gold certified.
READ MORE:
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DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL MEMBER JOLENE IVEY CONGRATULATES ALL-COUNTY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAMS
The County’s top girls’ middle and high school basketball players were honored at the 2023 Prince George’s County Girls Basketball Coaches Association’s Awards Ceremony last Saturday at the Prince George’s Ballroom, and District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey was thrilled to be included! Council Member Ivey congratulated the players and coaches who have been voted and recognized as the 2022-2023 All-County team by Prince George’s County middle and high school coaches.
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Announcing for the 1st time a Prince George’s County Girls Basketball Coaches Association Middle School All-County team.
 Presenting the 2022-2023 Prince George's County Girls Basketball Coaches Association High School All-County team.
COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE CALVIN HAWKINS HOSTS NATIONAL DAY OF EMPATHY PANEL DISCUSSION FOCUSING ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM – “CRIME HURTS, JUSTICE HEALS”
“Formerly incarcerated persons face difficult challenges, including the ability to move forward in a healthy, productive manner absent the empathy, compassion and more importantly, acts of healing provided by the community. Crime hurts, but justice heals, and that is our focus for this dynamic community discussion.”
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 Council Member At-Large Calvin S. Hawkins, II, in observance of the National Day of Empathy in Prince George’s County, hosted a panel discussion focusing on criminal justice reform on Wednesday, March 22nd, at the Prince George’s Community College, in Largo. The dialogue focused on issues surrounding preventative non-entry, violence interruption, re-entry, and family impact. The National Day of Empathy is a day of action to generate widespread empathy for millions of Americans impacted by the criminal justice system, many of whom meet on this day with lawmakers in their state to share stories and experiences, educate, and broaden empathy among elected representatives and community members.
COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA PARTNERS TO HOST COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
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On Friday, March 17th, District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, the Sickle Cell Coalition of Maryland, PG Changemakers, the American Red Cross, the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Department, Commissioner Anthony Tilghman, and Judge Me Now, Inc. with the support of the District Heights Department of Recreation, Parks and Culture hosted a Community Blood Drive to raise awareness about the importance of blood donations and Sickle Cell Disease. There was a great turnout from the community and among leaders from across the County. Council Member Oriadha, who chairs the Council's Health, Human Services and Safety Committee, is pictured here with Sheriff John Carr, prepared to give and save lives during the drive held in the District Heights Municipal Building Gymnasium. |
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