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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:
- Ensure Transparency in Our Government
- Increase Services for Our Residents
- Preserve our Green Space and Protect Our Environment
- Support Smart and Quality Development for Our Community
- Support Our Working Families
- Increase Opportunities for Our Local Minority Businesses and Nonprofits
- Bring 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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VICE CHAIR BLEGAY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE A TAX CREDIT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS
Vice Chair and District 6 Council Member Wala Blegay Esq., during session on Tuesday, September 19, introduced CB-087-2023, legislation establishing a $2,500 property tax credit for public safety officers whose primary residence is in Prince George’s County. Vice Chair Blegay says the property tax credit aims to address staffing shortages by providing an incentive for public safety officers to move into the County. “A public safety officer tax credit is one way to increase our law enforcement workforce and attract more public safety officers to our communities. Law enforcement staffing levels are not where they should be, and we cannot effectively address crime without increasing the number of police officers. This legislation will provide an incentive for public safety officers to move to the County and work in the communities where they live.”
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POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, GUN VIOLENCE, AND LGBTQIA+ ISSUES AMONG ‘PEOPLE’S COUNCIL’ MEASURES ADDRESSED DURING HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
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 The Council’s Health, Human Services, and Public Safety Committee (HHSPS), meeting on Thursday, September 21, continued their review of measures addressing the core tenets of The People’s Agenda. CB-083-2023, legislation updating the training requirements for volunteer firefighters, volunteer line officers, and volunteer chief officers according to the national standard; CR-075-2023 legislation establishing a Gun Violence Work Group; and CR-077-2023, legislation establishing a LGBTQIA+ Workgroup to study current services and come up with recommendations for programs or legislation to expand services for the LGBTQIA+ communities across the County were favorably moved for consideration by the full Council. CB-081-2023, an Act that would allow the Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee to conduct its own investigation independently from, but concurrently with, the law enforcement agency of complaints of police misconduct was held for additional discussion. Committee members also addressed the appointment of Dr. Matthew D. Levy as Health Officer for Prince George's County, which received favorable consideration.
PLAN PRINCE GEORGE’S 2035 IMPLEMENTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE TO FOCUS ON LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS
 During session on Tuesday, September 19, CR-081-2023, establishing a Plan Prince George’s 2035 Implementation and Infrastructure Task Force to guide the implementation of the land use/development recommendations outlined in Plan Prince George’s 2035, was presented. Vice Chair Blegay, author of the legislation, says it's being presented in response to several significant barriers hindering the realization of short and long-term benchmarks for implementing the General Plan vision. “Planning goals for the General Plan have not been met, and the Plan Prince George’s 2035 Implementation and Infrastructure Task Force will help address the lapses before they become a more significant problem,” said Blegay.
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DPIE DIRECTOR UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMED
 The Council also unanimously confirmed the County Executive’s appointment of Abraham Dawit as Director of the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) during session on Tuesday, September 19. Several speakers provided testimony in support of the nomination, and Dawit, in public comments before the Council, reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Prince George’s County. “I have had the pleasure of working with many of you for a long time. I am here to lead and serve, this is what I do and who I am.” The Council also confirmed appointments to the Personnel Board and the Advisory Committee on Aging.
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 CONGRATULATIONS COUNCIL MEMBERS!
Congratulations to Council Chair Tom Dernoga, Vice Chair Wala Blegay, and Council Members Eric Olson, Krystal Oriadha, Edward Burroughs and Jolene Ivey for each receiving Progressive Maryland’s ‘Progressive Champions Award’! They were honored during Progressive Maryland’s annual gala, with guest speaker Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland).
COUNCIL MEMBERS CELEBRATE BLUEPRINT SCHOOL OPENINGS!
Council Members were among County leaders celebrating the opening of five new schools this past week. Under the model Blueprint Schools partnership, these new buildings are providing state of the art learning environments for thousands of Prince George’s County school students.
 Council Member Wanika Fisher proudly cut the ribbon at two brand new schools in District 2 – Hyattsville Middle School and Sonia Sotomayor Middle School, telling the audience, “There is nothing as special as investing in our children.”
 Council Member Krystal Oriadha participated in the ribbon-cutting for the beautiful, new Drew-Freeman Middle School in District 7, stating, “I am excited for these scholars and all this new building has to offer them!”
 Council Member Jolene Ivey was happy to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening of Kenmoor Middle School. “I’m so glad the students and teachers at Kenmoor Middle School are learning and working in a beautiful, well-designed building. Go, Cobras,“ Ivey said.
 Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay was honored to speak and participate in the ribbon cutting for Walker Mill Middle School. “I admire the collaboration that leaders took to bring new state-of-the-art facilities to my district,” Blegay said.
NEW! LATEST EPISODE OF 'THE PEOPLE'S COUNSEL'
 Check out the latest episode of 'The People's Counsel' with Council Chair Tom Dernoga. Chair Dernoga discusses legislation residents should know about, why he supports "small growth," how he was once turned into a newspaper caricature, and why he considers himself 'The People's Counsel.'
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