Council Connection

COUNCIL CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH ‘AFRICAN AMERICANS AND LABOR’ EVENT

The County Council celebrated Black History Month on Tuesday, February 25, with a special program called “African Americans and Labor.” Walter L. Simmons, the President and CEO of Employ Prince George’s and Executive Director of the Prince George’s County Local Workforce Development Board, served as the event’s keynote speaker. He highlighted the impact of several notable Black Prince Georgians throughout history and their contributions to our county and our country, including Peter Mills, the last known surviving American man born into slavery in Prince George’s County in 1861, and Henry Plummer, who escaped slavery in Prince George’s County and went on to become the only Black officer in the US Army at the time of his appointment in 1884.

The program also included several dance performances from the Thomas G. Pullen Creative and Performing Arts School, a specialized K-8 performing arts academy in Landover.

Council Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large) and Council Member Ingrid S. Watson (District 4) provided remarks, both speaking about family members who made significant contributions to our country through their service in the US military and beyond. Chair Ivey’s father, Joseph Stephenson, was a US Army Captain and Buffalo Soldier who fought in World War II and Korea, and Council Member Watson’s grandfather, Clarence Finley, was an original Tuskegee Airman. Both men were subjects of a special Black History Month documentary produced by the County Council.

Tuesday’s wonderful event was incredibly enlightening and inspiring for the entire Prince George’s County Legislative Branch.

COUNCIL MEMBER ORIADHA INTRODUCES NEW TENANT PROTECTION BILL

Additionally, on Tuesday, Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) introduced a bill, CB-17-2025, that would require landlords to compensate tenants who are forced to move out of condemned properties. Residents who need to vacate their homes for more than 30 days would be owed three months’ rent, plus their returned security deposit, according to the proposed legislation. They would also be entitled to return to the property once it is deemed safe. Landlords would be forced to find a comparable rental unit for residents who are to be displaced fewer than 30 days while repairs are made to their home. The landlord would have to pay for moving expenses both to and from the new unit.

TIEE COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON PURPLE LINE CONSTRUCTION

On Thursday, February 27, the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee was briefed on the status of Purple Line construction. Maryland Purple Line Senior Project Director Ray Biggs II and other project leaders updated the committee members, telling them the project is about 75% complete and 20 of 21 stations are currently under construction. Eight out of 28 light rail vehicles have been delivered, and the remainder are expected this year. More than a third of the Purple Line’s track has been installed, and all of the track is expected to be completed by Summer 2026. Dynamic testing is scheduled for this Spring along a one mile stretch of track running parallel to Veteran’s Parkway (MD 410). The Purple Line expected to begin service in 2027.

GOFP COMMITTEE MOVES FAVORABLY ON REVISED SENIOR PROPERTY TAX CREDIT

On Thursday, the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee moved favorably on CB-009-2025, a bill introduced by Vice Chair Edward Burroughs (District 8), revising the Senior Property Tax Credit bill passed by the Council in November 2024. Under the bill, homeowners over the age of 65 would qualify for the 20% property tax credit if they have lived in their home for at least 25 years and it is valued at $500,000 or less at the time of their application. Recipients would remain eligible for any other homestead or homeowners tax credits for which they are qualified.

Also on Thursday, Council Member Wala Blegay met with county public safety officers who testified in support of the Revised Public Safety Officer Real Property Tax Credit Bill. CB-008-2025 would allow officers with Maryland-National Capital Park police, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission police, and Washington Suburban Transit Commission police, who live in the county, to take advantage of the same property tax credit as Prince George’s County Police officers and Sheriff’s deputies. The bill moved favorably in committee.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DISCUSSES FY 2026 BUDGET

On Monday and Tuesday, the Committee of the Whole received a pair of FY 2026 budget briefings. Monday’s briefing from David Juppe, the Revenue and Legislation Manager from the Office of Management and Budget, focused on the state’s contributions to Prince George’s County and specifically the state’s investment into education. In Governor Wes Moore’s proposed budget, Juppe told Council Members the county is poised to receive just over $2 billion in funding from the state. K-12 education is set to receive nearly $90 million from the state, but the county’s general fund will see a decrease of around $14 million. On Tuesday, Council Members were presented the Prince George’s County Legislative Branch’s FY 2026 budget proposal from Council Administrator Jennifer Jenkins. The proposed operating budget includes a slight increase of $193,000 over last year.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS STATE BILL FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION STUDY

On Tuesday, the General Assembly Committee voted to support HB-1194/SB-675 at the state level. The bill would require the Public Service Commission to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of three sources of electricity generation in the state: natural gas, nuclear, and offshore wind energy. The goal of the study is to recommend policy changes to support the development of energy sources with the lowest costs and greatest benefits to residents.

EWD COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND EMPLOYMENT DATA

The Education and Workforce Development Committee met on Monday for briefings from Prince George’s Community College and Employ Prince George’s leadership teams. Dr. Falecia Williams, the President of PGCC, and her team, highlighted the school’s diverse student body and its improved graduation and retention rates. Among the school’s recent academic success is the nursing program’s #1 ranking for 2-year and 4-year institutions from the National Council of States Board of Nursing. Employ Prince George’s President and CEO Walter Simmons detailed employment data in the county and how recent federal layoffs are impacting Prince Georgians. According to Simmons, the county’s unemployment rate was 3.1% at the end of last year. 2023 data shows 30,399 people, or 19.2%, of federal workers in Maryland live in Prince George’s County. Council Members stressed the importance of updates on the county’s unemployment filings and providing real time resources to workers. Employ Prince George’s plans to host a countywide job and resource fair in March.

March 5 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS

March 6 - PHED Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

March 6 - HHSPS Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

CHAIR IVEY CO-HOSTS PUBLIC SERVANT SUMMIT

Council Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large) and Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04) hosted a resource summit for public servants who are at-risk or have recently lost their jobs, providing employment opportunities, contact with union representatives, and other needed services. The Public Servant Summit happened on March 1 at Greenbelt Middle School and featured special guests Michelle Singletary from the Washington Post and Rob Shriver, Managing Director of Democracy Forward, a nonprofit legal organization that is challenging recent executive orders and firings in court. The event featured a breakout room called Lawsuit Updates, featuring Shriver and union representatives from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, American Federation of Government Employees, National Federation of Federal Employees, and others. The second breakout room provided Financial/Counseling Support which included Singletary, Dawn Medley with FSC First, Walter Simmons from Employ Prince George’s, and others. CLICK HERE for Chair Ivey’s resource page for public servants.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY HOSTS VIRTUAL FEDERAL WORKER FORUM

Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) hosted a Virtual Federal Worker Forum for federal employees, stakeholders, and advocates on February 27. She was joined by Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) who provided information on how Congress is responding to recent attacks on federal workers and the legislative efforts underway to safeguard their rights. Otis Johnson, the National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), spoke about advocacy efforts of federal employee unions and the ongoing fight to protect workers' rights, and Walter Simmons, President & CEO of Employ Prince George’s, Inc. and the Executive Director of the Prince George’s County Workforce Development Board, also took shared insight during the forum. CLICK HERE for Council Member Blegay’s resource page, and CLICK HERE to watch the forum.

CLICK HERE for the County Resource Hub for Federal Workers Facing Job Loss.

CHAIR IVEY RECIVES NONPROFIT AWARD, HOLDS ‘LOVE SHOULDN’T HURT’ EVENT

Chair Ivey was honored to be recognized as the “Presidential Awardee” by United Community Against Poverty at their 60th Anniversary Gala. UCAP continues to be an impactful organization serving Prince George’s County and Chair Ivey is proud to be a partner on their important work. 

Chair Ivey also hosted her annual Love Shouldn’t Hurt Event at Cameron Grove in Upper Marlboro with special speaker Michael Riker, who focused on the topic of romance scams.  Online scams are a type of abuse when strangers prey on people’s loneliness and good hearts to scam victims out of thousands of dollars on the pretense of a relationship. We have seen smart people fall victim as these online scams become more sophisticated, and it’s important to be vigilant. 

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER PARTNERS ON BLACK HISTORY EVENT, JOINS LEADERS FOR TAX FILING ANNOUNCEMENT

In celebration of Black History Month, Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) partnered with M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation to host The History and Rhythms Behind the Music of OKAN Band, an exciting and educational workshop. The event took place on February 22 at the North Brentwood Community Center and included amazing performances, craft activities, and lunch. 

Council Member Fisher also joined Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman for an important announcement on the expansion of IRS Direct File to Maryland, making it easier for families to access their refunds. CLICK HERE to learn more about eligibility for Direct File.

COUNCIL MEMBER ORIADHA HOSTS ‘BUILDING BLACK WEALTH’ SERIES

Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) is hosting a Building Black Wealth series on Instagram Live, featuring conversations with community leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners. The discussions focus on economic development, financial literacy, and wealth-building strategies. Check out her Instagram page @councilmemberko to view the first two episodes.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY WELCOMES URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK

Council Member Wala Blegay welcomed Urban Air Adventure Park to Largo! This business is a fantastic addition to the community that provides a fun and safe space for children and families to enjoy.