Council Connections

FIRST BILLS OF LEGISLATIVE YEAR FOCUS ON MATERNAL HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE CARE

The Council presented its first bills of Legislative Year 2024 on Tuesday, February 6^th, focusing early attention on measures providing equitable accommodations for new parents. CB-003-2024, requires lactation rooms in county buildings to provide nursing mothers with a private, hygienic space to breastfeed or express milk. CB-004-2024, parental leave legislation, amends the County’s parental leave policy, allowing for government employees to take leave after three months of employment instead of one year. Both measures were sponsored by new mother and District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, and fall under her maternal health and reproductive care legislative priorities.  CB-001-2024 adding African American Business Enterprises to the Prince George’s County Business Expansion and Start-Up Grant Program, and CB-002-2024, a housing code amendment adding email to the methods of service for notice of violation, civil citation, and administrative citation were also presented.

The Council then turned its attention to Subtitle 25, a state bill mandating Forest Conservation Act updates to preserve more trees and increase canopy cover. Planning Board principals and members of the County’s Work Group for the Update of Subtitle 25, provided Council Members with a briefing on their progress as the July 1^st deadline for implementation approaches. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE CONVENES FOR REVIEW OF LOCAL AND STATEWIDE BILLS IMPACTING PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

The Council’s General Assembly Committee convened on Tuesday, February 6^th, to take position on local and statewide bills impacting Prince George’s County under consideration by the County’s House and Senate Delegation. The committee began its session by welcoming State Senator Ron Watson, Delegates Marvin Holmes and Kym Taylor, and City of Bowie Mayor Tim Adams for a discussion on PG/MC 105-24,   Qualifying Municipal Corporation – Land Use legislation, which addresses zoning authority for the City of Bowie. Following a robust discussion, the measure was held for continued conversation. Among the statewide bills receiving committee support include HB 170/SB 79 Prohibited Appropriations - Magnetic Levitation Transportation System; SB 36/HB 565 Maryland Deaths in Custody Oversight Board; and HB 282 Speed Monitoring Systems. For a complete list of measures reviewed during General Assembly, Click HERE.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL POLICY COMMITTEE RECEIVES BRIEFING FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Convening its first meeting of the Legislative Year, the Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee (GOFP), chaired by Council Member Ingrid Watson (District 4), welcomed the County Executive’s Economic Development team for a briefing on key County economic drivers, including incentives, tax credits, and loan programs.  Presenters included Deputy CAO of Economic Development Angie Rodgers, Economic Development Corporation President and CEO David Iannucci, and Financial Services Corporation (FSC First) President and CEO Dawn Medley, who discussed the tools they employ for business development, business expansion efforts, corporate attraction, and major projects.

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR COMMUTER BUS RIDERS

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)  has proposed reductions to  its commuter bus service.  Most of the impacted bus routes are outside of Prince George’s County, but a few may impact commuter bus riders in the County.   MTA is holding five public hearings – three virtual and two in-person) on the proposed changes between March 18^th  and 27^th.  Public comments will be accepted through April 29, 2024.  To learn more about the proposal or how to participate in the public hearings,  please visit https://www.mta.maryland.gov/commuter-bus2024

MT. RAINIER RECEIVES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HISTORIC FUNDING FOR SAFER STREETS

Mt. Rainier, Brentwood, Edmonston, and Riverdale Park will receive nearly $11 million in federal grants for safer streets and roads. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) made the announcement at a press conference on Feb. 5 at Thomas Stone Elementary School. Mt. Rainier secured the bulk of the money, $9.7 million, to implement its Vision Zero Action Plan, an initiative aiming to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on the road. Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) and Council Members Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Eric Olson (District 3) attended the press conference. “This is so important to District 2 residents and such a big win for us,” said Fisher. “We can now begin to make communities more walkable and bikable, which is a critical issue for citizens.”

COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON ATTENDS BADEN BRANCH LIBRARY RIBBON CUTTING Council Member Sydney Harrison and the District 9 Team attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Baden Branch Library at 13601 Baden Westwood Road in Brandywine. The new facility offers a space nearly double the size of the original location next door, and includes new meeting room space, a cafe with vending machines, and more technology, including ten public computers, a printer, a scanner and digitizer, and digital signage. The Baden and Brandywine communities are excited to have this revitalized facility reopen in District 9!

COUNCIL MEMBER TOM DERNOGA HOSTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT INSURANCE

District 1 Council Member Tom Dernoga was joined by Maryland Insurance Administration Commissioner Kathleen A. Birrane for a virtual conversation about insurance. Participants had a chance to ask questions regarding home, health, car and life insurance provided by the Maryland Insurance Administration. The community conversation was designed to provide customers with the information they need to make informed decisions.

COUNCIL MEMBER ERIC OLSON PARTICIPATES IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PANEL DISCUSSION

District 3 Council Member Eric Olson took part in an affordable housing panel discussion hosted by Greater Riverdale Thrives. Olson joined the Department of Housing and Community Development Director, Aspasia Xypolia and Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. Executive Director, Stephanie Prange Proestel. He says he looks forward to working with all stakeholders to advance affordable housing goals in the County.

February 12 - Sitting as the District Council - 9:00 AM (Agenda Briefing)

February 12 - Sitting as the District Council - 10:00 AM (In-Person) - DETAILS

February 12 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - Canceled 

February 13 - General Assembly Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS 

February 13 - County Council - 12:30 PM  - (Briefing)

February 13 - County Council - 1:00 PM  - DETAILS

February 13 - Sitting as the Board of Health - 2:30 PM - DETAILS

February 13 - County Council - 6:00 PM  (Joint Public Hearing)  - DETAILS

February 14 - Task Force Workgroups - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

February 15 - PHED Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

February 15 - HHSPS Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page