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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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GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME PILOT PROGRAM RECEIVES UNANIMOUS COUNCIL SUPPORT
 “Quite simply, there are vulnerable populations within Prince George’s County who will benefit from this type of support, and the People’s Council is committed to providing them with resources to ease their economic instability. This is something being done in many jurisdictions around the country, including our neighboring jurisdictions, and I believe it will be beneficial for us in many ways. I also hope that our support of this measure provides a segue for policy change at the federal level.” – District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha
The Prince George’s County Council, during session on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, unanimously passed CR-018-2023. The measure, proposed by District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, creates a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program tailored to the needs and resources in the County in conjunction with aid from the Greater Washington Community Foundation. The Basic Income Pilot Program is modeled after the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) program in Stockton, California. Under the measure, low-income families would be given direct cash assistance to support their basic needs, such as food and utilities, without strings attached or repayment requirements. Residents selected to participate in the program will receive monthly cash stipends for 24 months to ensure the financial security of families, reduce debt, and increase financial equity.
READ MORE ABOUT THE PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE:
COUNCIL PRESENTS EMERGENCY LEGISLATION ADDRESSING LANDLORD RETALIATION RELATED TO RENT STABILIZATION ACT OF 2023
 “Since the Rent Stabilization Act of 2023 passed, our office, and several other Council offices have been inundated with calls from renters whose landlords are using various methods to increase rents by hundreds of dollars. From residents living in senior facilities, to families who are being asked to sign renewal contracts months ahead, these actions are predatory and validate our concerns that a permanent solution is needed to stop bad actors from taking advantage of Prince Georgians. We hope this bill will help us close some of the loopholes while we continue to work towards a permanent solution.” – Council Member Krystal Oriadha
To protect tenants from unlawful and retaliatory rent increases and eviction as the Rent Stabilization Act nears its April 17th effective date, the County Council, during session on Tuesday, April 4th presented Emergency Legislation declaring certain actions by landlords as retaliation, including the termination of a lease to force a pre-existing tenant into a new lease, to avoid rent increase limitations established by the Rent Stabilization Act of 2023. CB-051-2023 prevents landlords from increasing rents over 3% for existing tenants (those with a valid lease prior to April 17th), including landlords of senior housing properties subject to the Rent Stabilization Act of 2023. The measure also prohibits the harassment, intimidation, and/or threat of tenants’ exercise of their legal rights.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS MEASURE:
Also included on Tuesday’s legislative agenda, CB-021-2023, legislation amending the Zoning Ordinance to provide a transitional period for development pursuant to authority in the prior Ordinance Use Tables, which was enacted, and CR-009-2023, legislation approving the Prince George's County's Watershed Protection and Restoration Financial Assurance Plan (FAP) as required by State law, which was adopted.
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE RECEIVES BUDGET UPDATES
As the 2023 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly nears completion, the Council’s General Assembly Committee convened on Tuesday for updates related to the FY 2024 State Budget. Committee members were provided with an overview of Governor Moore’s Supplemental Budget 2, submitted on March 27th, accompanied by an overview of actions regarding the Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and a review of the remaining budget process for the final week of session. For a complete list of measures reviewed during General Assembly, Click HERE.
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PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST REVIEW SESSIONS FOR FY 2024 BUDGET; LEGISLATION ADDRESSING THE DISPLAY AND SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS MOVES FORWARD
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 The Council’s FY 2024 Budget Process is underway and the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee held its first review session on Thursday, April 6th, for the People’s Zoning Counsel and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) FY 2024 budget, which include the Commissioners’ Office, Central Administrative Services, and the Planning Department. Following the budget review sessions, committee members addressed zoning measures CB-39-2023 and CB-040-2023, and CB-031-2023, legislation limiting the floor area dedicated to the display and sales of tobacco products in convenience stores, gas stations, and tobacco shops, which were all favorably considered. Council Vice Chair Blegay, proposer of CB-031-2023, noted the proliferation of tobacco shops in the County during the measures’ introduction, and affirmed her commitment to addressing their concerns.
“The health and well-being of Prince Georgians is an utmost priority for this Council, and we must send a strong message to tobacco shops and those masking as ‘convenience stores’ that primarily sell tobacco products. We want quality, healthy retail in our County, and residents are tired of the marketing tactics being used to sell highly addictive and deadly tobacco products in our community.” – Vice Chair Wala Blegay
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RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR INCREASES IN NURSE AND SUPPORT STAFFING FOR HOSPITALS AND URGENT CARE FACILITIES DURING HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING – LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD |
 The Council’s Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee (HHSPS), on Thursday, April 6th, favorably considered CR-013-2023, legislation proposed by Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq. (District 6) urging the state of Maryland to ensure that all health care facilities provide the appropriate level of care and staffing for patients, including registered nurses, specialists, medical technicians, nursing assistants, environmental services, and dietary aides.
Lauren Reichard, a Prince George’s County nurse, provided comment in support of CR-013-2023. “Modern day healthcare requires a fully staffed team to provide face-to-face relationship and intimate influence on the safety and quality of care of patients. When healthcare facilities are inadequately staffed, this creates an unsafe, high-stress, and unsustainable environment with long-lasting detriments to the health and wellbeing of patients, family, staff, and communities.”
HHSPS Committee budget worksessions were also held for the Circuit Court, Administrative Charging Commission, and the Arts and Humanities Council.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS MEASURE:
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LET’S GET FISCAL! APRIL 18TH BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS
 The People’s Council looks forward to hearing your budget priorities and concerns during upcoming, in-person Public Hearings. There is a Budget Public Hearing scheduled for tomorrow, April 11th at 1:00 p.m., on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s Proposed FY 2023-2024 Operating and Capital budgets, and the (WSSC) and the WSSC Capital Improvement Program for Water and Sewerage, for Fiscal Years 2024-2029.
The Council will receive public testimony on Tuesday, April 18th at 5:00 p.m. on CR-021-2023, legislation approving and adopting the Prince George's County FY 2024 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development. The Annual Action Plan consists of federal programs, including related federal applications, which, along with other resources, serve to implement housing and community development strategies set forth in the County’s FY 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan, required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding applications detailed in the Annual Action Plan are for the following federal entitlement program funds: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program; HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program; and the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program.
The Council will also conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, April 18th at 6:00 p.m. on the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating and Capital budgets and Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal years 2024-2029.
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FY 2024 Budget Portal
COUNCIL SEEKS QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THE FAIR ELECTION FUND COMMISSION; APPLY BY APRIL 17TH
COUNCIL VICE CHAIR WALA BLEGAY, COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA AND COUNCIL MEMBER EDWARD BURROUGHS III HOST INAUGURAL WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP BRUNCH
 Council Vice-Chair Wala Blegay, Esq., District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, and District 8 Council Member Edward P. Burroughs III, hosted the Inaugural Women’s Leadership Brunch on Saturday, April 1st, at the Prince George’s Community College Culinary Arts Center, to acknowledge, honor and celebrate women in our communities and their impactful work for a better Prince George’s County. The Honorable Gloria Lawlah, former State Senator and former Maryland Secretary of Aging, received a special tribute during the event, and Maryland State Senator Melony Griffith served as Keynote Speaker. A total of 26 women were honored and presented with certificates.
COUNCIL MEMBER INGRID WATSON MEETS WITH HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS IN DISTRICT 4
 Council Member Ingrid Watson is conducting a series of “People-Powered, People-Engaged" Homeowners Association Roundtable discussions in District 4 communities. The most recent meeting was held at the Kenhill Community Center in Bowie last Wednesday, where key quality of life issues were on the discussion agenda. Additionally, there was a presentation from the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations to discuss best practices for Common Ownership Communities.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 2023
The People’s Council is working to Preserve Our Green Space and Protect Our Environment by ensuring the full implementation of the Climate Action Plan which includes tree conservation, stormwater protections, flood control and the promotion of greater clean energy use by the County and in private development.
 Check out events happening in Prince George’s County in honor of Earth Month 2023!
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