Council Connections

COUNCIL COMMEMORATES PRIDE MONTH WITH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

Council Members commemorated the start of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with a Pride flag raising ceremony in front of the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building on Friday, May 31st. The flag was raised as a symbol of love, acceptance, and equality for all, and will fly in front of the building for the month of June. A 2023 resolution championed by Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) resolves that the County Council host a flag raising ceremony to acknowledge Pride Month and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in Prince George’s County each year. Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) and Council Member Oriadha spoke at the event alongside Council Members Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Wala Blegay (District 6). County LGBTQIA Liaison Antonio Driver, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, Md. Del. Ashanti Martinez, New Carrollton Council Chair Briana Urbina, and Co-Founder of Heart to Hand, Inc. Dedra Spears-Johnson were also in attendance.

PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD ON SEVERAL BILLS

At the Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 28^th, Council held public hearings on several bills, including CB-10-2024 which would require the Department of Health and Human Services distribute information about gun safety and suicide prevention at gun shops and ranges. The bill is named after Grant Colefield, a 21-year-old who died by suicide at a gun range in 2019. His family has spoken in favor of the bill, saying they believe it may have saved his life.

A public hearing was also held on CB-007-2024, legislation revising the county’s current elderly property tax credit to clarify that it is separate and distinct from the Homestead and Maryland Homeowner's property tax credits.

Also at the meeting, Council confirmed new appointees to the Prince George’s County Fire Commission: Ms. Gloria J. Bell (Volunteer Member), Ms. Michelle A. Chandler (Career Member), Ms. Lisa Ray (Volunteer Member), Mr. Marlon E. Selmon (Resident Member), and Mr. Kyle J. Snyder (Volunteer Member).

LATE NIGHT SAFETY PLAN BILL HEARD IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The County Council, during its Committee of the Whole (COW) session on Tuesday, May 28th, held a public hearing regarding CB-016-2024, which would require certain businesses that operate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to obtain a late-night safety plan from the Office of the County Executive in an effort to reduce violent crime occurring late at night. After hearing from local business owners, the Council voted to hold the bill to allow for further coordination with the Office of the County Executive and for the introduction of amendments.

COUNCIL CONVENES AS BOARD OF HEALTH The Council convened as the Board of Health on Tuesday, March 28th, hearing briefings on how to promote health equity in Prince George’s County from experts in Health in All Policies (HiAP) from both Prince George’s and Fairfax counties. HiAP emphasizes collaboration among different sectors, such as transportation, education, and housing, to address health determinants effectively. The discussion centered around how the Council can put forth new programs and legislation to promote healthy living in the County, as well as how HiAP initiatives have had an impact on neighboring jurisdictions.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL POLICY COMMITTEE ADVANCES SEVERAL BILLS The Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee (GOFP), on Thursday, May 30th, favorably advanced CB-019-2024, which would prohibit employers in Prince George’s County from inquiring into or considering certain past criminal records of prospective job applicants subject to certain exemptions. Along with a number of other specifications and exceptions, the bill forbids considering arrests that did not lead to convictions and convictions related to marijuana possession, barring intent to distribute. The legislation is designed to reduce employment barriers for individuals with past criminal records and promote fair hiring practices.

COUNCIL MEMBERS HOST ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH EVENT

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) hosted “In Full Bloom,” an event to celebrate the vibrant heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The celebration, held at the Hyattsville Library, featured keynote speaker Rita Cacas from Filipinos of Prince George’s County, and offered a variety of performances and activities.

COUNCIL MEMBER EDWARD BURROUGHS PARTNERS ON MENTAL HEALTH EVENT AND INITIATIVES

Council Member Edward Burroughs III (District 8) partnered with actress Taraji P. Henson’s organization, the Boris L. Henson Foundation, on a mental health symposium called ‘Can We Talk?’ The event, which took place at the Gaylord Convention Center at National Harbor on Thursday and Friday May 30^th-31^st, included District 8 students who participated in several mental health initiatives sponsored by Burroughs. Those include the 988 School Campaign to educate students about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and the Mental Health First Aide Certification Program which helps students identify signs, symptoms, and risk factors of various mental health conditions. At the symposium, Council Member Burroughs honored Taraji P. Henson, an Oxon Hill High School graduate, for her commitment to giving back to the community she grew up in.

COUNCIL MEMBERS HELP FEED HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS IN NEED

To commemorate World Hunger Day on May 28th, Council Members Eric Olson (District 3) and Wanika Fisher (District 2) co-sponsored a special food distribution with nonprofit Passion & Compassion. The organization gave away more than 500 bags of fresh produce to community members in need. Last year Passion & Compassion distributed more than 2.8 million pounds of produce and 3 million meals throughout Maryland and D.C., and the Council is thankful for the organization’s unwavering commitment to ending food insecurity.

June 3 - PHED Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

June 4 - County Council - 9:30 AM - Agenda Briefing

June 4 - Sitting as the District Council - 9:45 AM - DETAILS

June 4 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

June 4 - Sitting as the Committee as a Whole - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

June 4 - County Council - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

June 5 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.