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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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COUNCIL PRESENTS “CHIP ACT” LEGISLATION TO BOOST HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING IN THE COUNTY; ADDRESSES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS AND ADOPTS MEASURES
  The development of the domestic computer chip industry is a national security priority. The federal government is investing $280 billion in the research, development, and manufacture of semiconductors in an effort to make our nation more competitive with China and other nations in developing the jobs and technology of the 21st century economy right here in America. I can think of no better place for this investment than Prince George's County." – At Large Council Member Mel Franklin
To revitalize domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and strengthen supply chains, President Biden has signed the CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) and Science Act of 2022 into law with a commitment to invest in regional innovation and technology hubs across the country. To ensure Prince George’s County is positioned to benefit from the $280 in federal funds earmarked for the program and become a national leader in the production of computer chips, At-Large Council Member Franklin introduced CB-072-2023, the Prince George’s County Chip Act of 2023, during Council session on July 11th. The proposed measure establishes a 10-year incentive program for companies to research, develop and manufacture semiconductor computer chips in the County.
Tuesday’s Council session also included public hearings for the County Executives’ Appointments to the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, the Personnel Board, and the Fair Election Fund Committee, which were all confirmed by the Council. Following a public hearing for the Executive Appointments to the Fire Commission, which included testimony in both support and opposition to the nominees, Fire Chief Tiffany Green addressed the Council followed by comments from County Council Liaison Sakinda Skinner, the appointment was taken under advisement with a commitment from Council Chair Tom Dernoga to conduct a meeting the week of August 1st with all stakeholders for further discussion.
In other Council action on Tuesday, CB-045-2023, zoning legislation, and CR-031-2023, CR-038-2023, and CR-051-2023, Contract Approval measures all passed. CB-31-2023, legislation concerning the display and sales of tobacco and cannabis-related products will be taken under advisement.
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TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECEIVES WMATA BRIEFING; ADVANCES CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD LEGISLATION |
 The Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee (TIEE), chaired by Council Member Eric C. Olson, convened on Thursday, July 13th and favorably considered CR-027-2023, legislation establishing a Task Force to study Electric Public Utility Location practices and procedures. Committee members also updates on the Better Bus initiative from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials followed by a Library Branches and Access to Public Transportation briefing.
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 July 17 - Sitting as the District Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
July 17 - Sitting as the Board of Health - 10:30 AM - DETAILS
July 18 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
July 21 - Town Hall Meeting - 6:00 PM - DETAILS
Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page
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PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT – STOCK UP ON REUSABLE BAGS
 Protecting our environment is a People’s Agenda priority. On June 20, 2023, the County Council enacted Council Bill-032-2023, also known as the “Better Bag Bill,” legislation reducing the distribution of single-use carryout bags and incentivizes the use of reusable bags by prohibiting the provision of single-use plastic carryout bags and requiring retailers to charge at least 10 cents for each per bag. After December 31, 2023, a retail establishment may not provide a plastic carryout bag to a customer.
 COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA DISCUSSES LEGISLATION FOCUSED ON CANNABIS DISPENSARY LOCATIONS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha visited Mary and Main this week, a Prince George’s County cannabis dispensary for a great discussion about cannabis dispensaries. Council Member Oriadha says she looks forward to continuing to work together to ensure the Council is passing legislation that is good for the community and our business owners.
On Friday, Council Member Krystal Oriadha took to the airwaves to discuss the subject of cannabis and her proposed legislation, CB-70-2023, restricting where cannabis dispensaries can go in Prince George’s County with Politics Hour listeners. She also fielded questions from WAMU’s Politics Hour host Kojo Nnamdi and resident analyst Tom Sherwood about new safety measures that will take effect when Prince George’s County School students return in the fall, and more!
LISTEN HERE
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DISCOVERY OF DINOSAUR BONES AT M-NCPPC’S DINOSAUR PARK IN LAUREL!
Council Chair Tom Dernoga is excited to share the amazing news of a great discovery made in Council District One! The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, announced this week that their paleontologists and volunteers discovered the largest theropod fossil in Eastern North America during a dig experience program at its Dinosaur Park in Laurel on April 22, 2023!
Additional fossils found nearby elevate the Dinosaur Park’s classification to a “bonebed.” The term “bonebed” is used by paleontologists when bones of one or more species are concentrated within a geologic layer. This is the first dinosaur bone bed discovered in Maryland since 1887, placing fossils found at the park at 115 million years old!
(photo courtesy of M-NCPPC, Dept of Parks and Recreation)
READ THE PRESS RELEASE
LEARN MORE ABOUT DINOSAUR PARK
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COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COUNTY POLICE TEST FACT-FINDING SKILLS AT NATIONAL HARBOR’S "ESCAPOLOGY"
 Competing for the County Council: Council Member At-Large Calvin S. Hawkins, II; District 4 Council Member Ingrid Watson; and District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison. Competing for the Prince George’s County Police Department: Police Chief Malik Aziz; Assistant Chief Vernon Hale; and County resident, Willis Willoughby. Each team used their fact-finding skills in a fun and exciting escape room challenge on Wednesday, to support the real winners – the Prince George’s County Police Athletic League or PAL, at National Harbor’s live escape game, Escapology. PAL is a program aimed at serving the needs of our young people through mentoring, education, recreational activities as well as building trust and understanding between the police and our youth. Escapology owner Mark Shaffer made a generous donation to PAL, saying, “This is going to be a fun Escapology competition, all to help deserving kids.”
Both teams finished at the same time and the winners were the kids!
VIEW MORE PHOTOS
DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL MEMBER JOLENE IVEY AND COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE CALVIN HAWKINS CELEBRATE “THE GREAT 48” GRADUATES
 County Council Members Jolene Ivey and Council Member At-Large Calvin S. Hawkins, II, proudly joined Monday’s celebration of “The Great 48,” the 48th session of the Prince George’s County Citizens Police Academy. They were especially proud of the 44 residents, including Council Member Ivey’s niece Valencia Ivey. The residents graduated this intensive 13-week training opportunity after learning about policing and how to be part of the solution. These residents received exposure to such officer-related training such as investigative procedures, citizen/police interaction, crime scene investigations, less lethal weapons, judgment enhancement training, narcotics and discussed a wide variety of topics to include Use of Force, Traffic Stops, Homeland Security, Citizen/Police Interactions, Media Relations, Community Policing, Special Operations, and Human Trafficking, among others. To participate in the training program, residents must be nominated by a law enforcement officer and approved by the Division Commander or Civilian Manager.
DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL MEMBER ERIC OLSON TOURS MARY’S CENTER
 District 3 Council Member Eric Olson and his team toured Mary's Center on Friday, to learn more about the great work they do! Council Member Olson says their commitment and hard work are greatly appreciated and he looks forward to working together in meeting the needs of Prince George’s County residents. Mary’s Center is a community health center serving over 65,000 people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds in the Washington, DC metro area for 35 years. With an integrated model of health care, education, and social services, Mary’s Center offers each participant individualized care on the path toward good health, stability, and economic independence. Mary’s Center in Prince George’s County Is located at 8908 Riggs Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783.
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