COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA CHAMPIONS BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WITH LEGISLATION AIMED AT ALLEVIATING DISPARITIES IN THE COUNTY
  According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the U.S. and are three times as likely to die in childbirth as their white counterparts. To address the disparities in Black maternal health, District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, during session on Tuesday, October 10th, introduced Council Resolution-090-2023 which seeks to establish a Black Maternal Health Fund, to encourage the provision of grants to nonprofit organizations whose mission is based on alleviating maternal health disparities in African American communities. Council Resolution 091-2023 establishes a Policies and Healthcare Options Task Force to audit the county policies and healthcare benefit options for current county employees, with a focus on maternal health.
The District Council also convened on Tuesday, October 10th to address land use matters.
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COUNTY COUNCIL HOSTS MDOT’S CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TOUR TO DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES
 The Prince George’s County Council hosted the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Annual Consolidated Transportation Program Tour on Tuesday, October 10th, to discuss transportation needs and priorities in Prince George’s County. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and SHA Administrator Will Pines were among state officials presenting the Draft FY 2024 – FY 2029 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), which details the MDOT’s six-year Capital Budget with participating County officials and members of the public. Floyd Holt, DCAO on behalf of County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, and Michael D. Johnson, Director of the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation, addressed the County’s transportation priorities. Following completion of the statewide tour, MDOT officials will prepare a final transportation budget to present to the Maryland General Assembly in January.
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TIPPED WORKER BILL DRAWS LARGE CROWD TO HOURS-LONG GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL POLICY MEETING |
 A bill that would mandate a higher minimum wage for tipped workers (CB-098-2023) brought a capacity crowd to the Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Management Committee (GOFP) on Thursday October 12th, with people speaking passionately on both sides of the issue. After hearing concerns and feedback from local restaurant workers, the committee voted to hold the bill indefinitely, however Council will continue to study this issue in an effort to identify a compromise over the next few months.
In other action, GOFP approved the appointment of Necole M. Parker to the Revenue Authority Board and took part in a discussion on CB-001-2023 an Act concerning Responsible Contractor Requirements. Among the People’s Council measures to move forward for consideration after robust discussion and public testimony:
CB-087-2023 Public Safety Officer Real Property Tax Credit
CB-090-2023 Fair Criminal Record Screening
CB-096-2023 Local Business Childcare Grant Program
CB-099-2023 County Employee Access to Local Health Care
CB-091-2023 Project Labor Agreement Coordinating Committee
CB-072-2023 Local Chips Act of 2023
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RECEIVES FY 2025 BUDGET BRIEFING FROM WSSC LEADERSHIP; APPROVES ZONING MEASURES |
 The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW), on Tuesday October 10th, welcomed Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) General Manager and CEO, Kishia Powell, and members of her leadership team for a briefing on the Proposed FY 2025 Budget. Discussions focused on priorities, new investment needs, and customer assistance enhancements, along with drivers of the water utility’s revenue increase request. “In building this budget we worked diligently to balance the need to invest in our critical infrastructure and workforce while being ever mindful of water affordability by establishing priorities based on the needs of our customers and the resources necessary to maintain compliance and deliver on our core mission,” said Powell. Following the briefing, COW addressed two zoning measures, CB-73-2023 and CB-74-2023, which were held.
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TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE CONVENES TO ADDRESS APPOINTMENTS AND LEGISLATION |
 The Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee (TIEE) convened on Thursday, October 12th to review the Executive Appointment of Thomas Graham to the Washington Suburban Transit Commission, which received favorable consideration. TIEE also addressed the WSSC FY 25 Spending Affordability Guidelines and advanced CB-084-2023, new legislation designed to track the duration of time it takes the Department of Permits, Inspections and Enforcement to approve or disapprove an applicants request for a permit, and CB-089-2023, an Act concerning taxicabs and limousines.
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