COUNCIL ALLOCATES MGM LOCAL IMPACT GRANT FUNDING FOR DISTRICT 8
 On Tuesday, February 18, the County Council adopted CR-005-2025, a resolution allocating $9.7 million in grant funding annually, for the next three years, from the MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant. The funding plan, crafted by Vice Chair Edward Burroughs (District 8), benefits the residents of his district, with a distinct focus on students and seniors. It 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.
At Tuesday’s public hearing, dozens of community members advocated for the funding, including students who participate in the District 8 Youth Leadership Academy, funded in part by the Local Impact Grant.
“We’re going to restore the integrity of this fund, and these residents will get what they deserve,” Vice Chair Burroughs said.
REQUIRED SNOW REMOVAL PLAN, PUBLIC SAFETY DRUG TEST CHANGES AMONG 14 NEW PROPOSALS
 
Additionally, on Tuesday, Council Members introduced six new bills and eight new resolutions, sending them to various committees for further discussion. Among them was CB-12-2025, a bill introduced by Vice Chair Edward Burroughs (District 8) and Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7), requiring the Department of Public Works and Transportation Director to submit a snow removal operation plan within 24 hours of receiving notice of a forecasted storm. The report should include snowplow deployment plans, necessary supplies, and communication strategies. Council Member Oriadha also introduced a bill that would alter the county’s public safety recruitment drug test policy. CB-16-2025 would prohibit County Police and Fire/EMS departments from disqualifying applicants solely for testing positive for cannabis or marijuana.
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS SEVERAL NEW STATE BILLS
 On Tuesday, the General Assembly Committee supported six new bills at the state level, including HB 1222, a bill outlining how state and local law enforcement agencies will cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The bill would also prohibit agencies from entering into future immigration enforcement agreements and orders the cancellation of any current agreements. Additionally, the committee voted to support HB 1422, a bill to establish the Maryland Reparations Commission to study and make recommendations on reparations for residents whose ancestors were enslaved. Last year, the Council unanimously passed a resolution proposed by Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) to support creation of the commission. It’s been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates every year since 2020, but the bill has not made it out of committee.
PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT BRIEFS PHED COMMITTEE
 On Thursday, February 20, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee held a briefing with the Department of Parks and Recreation where Council Members were updated on recent projects within the department. Director Bill Tyler and his staff told the Committee that the Marlow Heights Community Center will be opening this spring, and construction is starting on the Good Luck Community Center. The department planted 180 trees last year and plans to plant 71 more this spring. Parks and Rec has renovated or resurfaced 5.11 miles of trails in the county and repaired 26 bridges and boardwalks.
COMMITTEE MOVES FAVORABLY ON IVF AND ER WAIT TIMES PROPOSALS
 On Thursday, February 20, the Health, Human Services, and Public Safety Committee moved favorably on one bill and one resolution. Council Member Wanika Fisher’s (District 2) CB-007-2025 would require the county to offer its employees health insurance plans that contain IVF and egg freezing coverage options. CR-006-2025, introduced by Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6), would extend the reporting deadline for the Task Force to Address Hospital Emergency Room Wait Times. According to Council Member Blegay, whose bill created the task force, the group has toured and received presentations from all nine emergency rooms in the county, compiling a large amount of data. The task force needs additional time to compile its final report, which would be pushed back to November 14, if the resolution is adopted by the full Council.
“Work groups are complicated, but I would say this recommendation could be lasting, so we need to be careful how we put it together. It could really determine the future of healthcare,” Council Member Blegay said.
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