VICE CHAIR BURROUGHS UNVEILS $9.7 MILLION PLAN FOR DISTRICT 8 LOCAL IMPACT GRANT
 On Tuesday, January 28, Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) presented a plan to the County Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, to allocate $9.7 million in funding annually, for the next three years, through the MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant.
The spending plan tied to CR-005-2025, is designed to address critical needs while uplifting vulnerable populations and building a stronger, healthier community through support for senior citizens, youth employment and workforce development, health equity, veteran support, and more.
The spending proposal allocates $4.25 million annually to provide housing stability, recreational opportunities, and educational workshops for more than 3,000 seniors. It also calls for a $2 million investment in the Joan’s House Youth Jobs and Apprenticeship Program, which will provide year-round job opportunities and training for young people, aged 14-24, in industries including law, nonprofit, healthcare, IT, skilled trades, and hospitality.
“This plan focuses directly on investing in programs and initiatives that uplift residents and provide meaningful opportunities, particularly in District 8,” Vice Chair Burroughs told his colleagues on Tuesday. “We’ve done our very best to craft a plan that lives up to what the MGM and the county government promised the local residents when it passed.”
The Committee of the Whole favorably recommended the resolution. It is scheduled for a public hearing at Council’s meeting on February 18.
COUNCIL TAKES STEP TO ENSURE SENIORS PROTECTED FROM EXCESSIVE RENT INCREASES
 Also on Tuesday, the Council had the first reading for a bill to permanently protect seniors from excessive rent increases through senior housing rent stabilization. CB-006-2025, drafted by Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large), Council Member Ingrid S. Watson (District 4), and Council Member Eric Olson (District 3), is an extension of last year’s rent stabilization bill, CB-55-2024. The new bill would explicitly protect age-restricted senior housing from large rental price increases, regardless of any exemptions outlined in last year’s bill, including age of the building. It was referred to the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS SEVERAL STATE BILLS
 On Tuesday, January 28, the General Assembly Committee voted to support several new bills in the state legislature. Among the supported proposals is a plan to alter the selection process for future Prince George’s County Public Schools superintendents. Instead of being appointed by the County Executive, the bill calls for superintendents to be selected by a majority vote from the County Board of Education. Council Members also supported a plan to place a memorial along Maryland Route 210 to promote safer driving and honor drivers killed on the so-called “Death Highway.”
COUNCIL MEMBER ORIADHA SUPPORTS HEALING SCARS ACT IN ANNAPOLIS
 On Thursday, January 30, Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) joined Del. Ashanti Martinez (Prince George’s) in Annapolis to support groundbreaking legislation aimed at providing essential resources to survivors of domestic violence. The Healing Scars Act would require mandatory coverage from health insurance providers for cosmetic surgery and mental health services. It would also amend the Victims of Crime Act to include cosmetic surgery for uninsured domestic violence survivors and establish restitution funds and reparations for victims.
Council Member Oriadha, a domestic violence survivor and ardent advocate, worked alongside Del. Martinez and State Sen. Shaneka Henson (Anne Arundel) to craft the Healing Scars Act to ensure victims are provided with the support and care needed to fully recover. Council Member Oriadha initially presented the legislation during her #NoMore Domestic Violence campaign in October.
This month, the Healing Scars Act was introduced in the Maryland Senate as SB-508 and in the House as HB-381. On Thursday, Council Member Oriadha testified in favor of the proposed legislation before the House Health and Government Operations Committee. To read more about the Healing Scars Act, click here.
COUNCIL CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2025
 The Prince George’s County Council and Legislative Branch are set to honor “African Americans and Labor” at a pair of upcoming Black History Month events. Members of the public are invited to meet county vendors, including Employ Prince George’s, and learn about the county workforce at Vendor Day on Tuesday, February 18. It will take place in the Tech Lounge at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The following Tuesday, February 25, there will be Black History Month program that is open to residents from 2:00 to 3:30 pm in the Council Hearing Room. All are welcome!
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY RESPONDS TO TRAGIC COLLISION AT REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT
 The Prince George's County Council is devastated by the deadly plane collision at Reagan National Airport Thursday night. The Council is grateful for the swift response and heroic efforts of first responders who worked tirelessly in the aftermath. The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Operation Division’s Marine Unit, Dive Unit, and Aviation Section as well as the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department were on site and assisting with efforts on the Potomac River. The Council offers its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.
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