Council Connection

COUNCIL BRIEFED ON FY 2026 COUNTY BUDGET

At its meeting on Tuesday, February 4, the County Council was briefed on the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget by Stanley Earley, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Currently, the county is facing a projected $170 million dollar funding gap. Meantime, the state is working to close a $3 billion budget gap which will impact all Maryland counties by shifting some costs to the county level. Additional outside factors are also impacting the county’s budget, including changes to federal policies and funding, and the impending federal workforce downsizing.

“Right now, there is a level of uncertainty that I have not seen and that I don’t think any of us have seen,” Earley told the Council.

According to Earley, the county receives $260 million in state and federal grant funding, some of which could be at risk of being cut. He and the Council Members also discussed the importance of retaining the county’s AAA bond rating while balancing the budget.

BILLS TO REDUCE ER WAIT TIMES INTRODUCED

Also on Tuesday, Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) introduced two resolutions aiming to reduce emergency room wait times in the county. For nearly a decade, Maryland has had the most extended emergency room wait times nationwide, with the current average time of 250 minutes. Prince George’s County's average ER wait is 288 minutes and neighboring Montgomery County's is 278 minutes. Fairfax County, VA has an average wait time of 172 minutes. Council Member Blegay’s CR-004-2025 expresses a commitment to work collaboratively with the Montgomery County Council to combat the rising ER wait times. In November 2023, the County Council established the Task Force to Address Hospital Emergency Room Wait Times. CR-006-2025 would add two new members to that 17-member task force -- representatives from the Prince George’s County Police Department and Sheriff’s Office -- and would also extend the deadline for a final report from that task force until November 14, 2025.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS SEVERAL STATE BILLS

On Tuesday, February 4, the County Council’s General Assembly Committee voted to support several bills currently proposed in the state legislature. Among the supported legislation was Senate Bill 613, a proposal to introduce a distracted driving monitoring system pilot program in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. The pilot program would use cameras and sensors to enforce cellphone bans for drivers. Fines would cover the cost of the program, and any excess funding would go to public safety initiatives. Another bill supported by the committee, House Bill 710, would require the State Board of Elections to establish a voter hotline to answer questions for incarcerated people. It would also allow incarcerated people to register to vote.

February 10 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

February 11 - General Assembly Committee - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

February 11 - County Council - 10:30 AM - Agenda Briefing

February 11 - Sitting as the District Council - 10:45 AM - DETAILS

February 11 - County Council - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

February 11 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 11:15 AM - DETAILS

February 12 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS

February 12 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

February 12 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

February 12 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

February 13 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - Cancelled

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

COUNCIL CHAIR JOLENE IVEY CO-HOSTS TELE-TOWN HALL FOR FEDERAL WORKERS

Nearly 20,000 people joined a Federal Worker Tele-Town Hall hosted by Council Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large), Congressman Glenn Ivey, and Congressman Steny Hoyer on February 6.They took questions and shared advice and insight into how recent Presidential Executive Orders could impact federal employees in our area. CLICK HERE for a list of resources for federal workers.

CHAIR IVEY HOSTS SENIOR LUNCHEON AND COMMUNITY EVENT WITH PGPD

Chair Ivey hosted lunch with the Woodlands Seniors at Reid Temple where attendees enjoyed good food, great company, and important resources. She and her team are grateful for the opportunity to honor our seniors and ensure they remain connected and supported. Chair Ivey also sponsored an event with nonprofit Brothers & Sisters, Inc. and PGPD Division 1 to bring resources to the community and strengthen relationships between officers and the public. 

COUNCIL MEMBER WALA BLEGAY HOSTS IMMIGRATION PROTECTION EVENT

On February 4, Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) hosted a “Know Your Rights” seminar for immigrant business owners, faith organizations, and non-citizens. The event aimed to help previously protected areas like immigrant churches, mosques, and local businesses prepare and respond to changing immigration enforcement. Participants also gained legal knowledge for addressing expedited removal orders and immigration protection orders. Congressman Glenn Ivey, representatives from the Nigerian Center, and local attorneys were among those who participated in the discussion.

COUNCIL MEMBER ORIADHA LAUNCHES NEW GREEN BOOK, HOSTS COMMUNITY MEETING, AND JOINS HEALING JUSTICE FORUM

In honor of Black History Month, Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) has launched the 2nd edition of her interactive Green Book! The guide makes it easier than ever to support and uplift our dynamic community by highlighting Black-owned businesses, community resources, and inspiring influencers. CLICK HERE to view.

Council Member Oriadha hosted a Pre-Session Community Meeting at Peppermill Community Center to discuss plans for this year's legislative session and provide the community time to highlight their needs. She also joined a panel of esteemed community leaders and advocates for a discussion about equity and justice at the Poppaw Queen Healing Justice Forum. The discussion centered around transformative solutions to heal and empower our community. Special thanks to filmmaker Malachi E. Robinson for directing an amazing and introspective documentary, The Poppaw Queen, that captures the essence of the journey toward equity and resilience.

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER AND CHAIR IVEY ATTEND DISTRICT NIGHTS IN ANNAPOLIS

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Chair Jolene Ivey had a great time celebrating District Nights for Legislative Districts 47 and 21! One of the most popular attendees at the District 47 gathering was the Chair’s grandson, Julian Wolf Ivey, son of Del. Julian Ivey!