COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTS NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR REMAINDER OF 2025
   At its meeting on Tuesday, the County Council voted to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair for the remainder of the 2025 Legislative Year. Council Members Edward Burroughs III (District 8) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7) were selected by their colleagues to serve as the new Council Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
“Difficult decisions lie ahead, but with innovative thinking, we can build a stronger, more resilient county,” Chair Burroughs said Tuesday. “I will govern with fairness, with integrity, and a spirit of collaboration. Leadership is not about power, it’s about service, and I’m committed to ensuring that every member of this Council has a voice.”
At age 32, Chair Burroughs is the youngest-ever Chair of the Prince George’s County Council, based on known records.
“There is hard work ahead of us, but I am confident that we can do it together,” Vice Chair Oriadha told her colleagues. “We have so many different points of view, expertise, ideas, and I know with myself and Chair Burroughs, there’s an openness to collaborate and learn and expand on all of the things that you all want to do.”
 On Tuesday, Chair Burroughs also announced new leadership assignments for several committees. The following will serve as Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for the remainder of the Legislative Year.
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
• Krystal Oriadha, Chair
• Edward Burroughs III, Vice Chair
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL POLICY
• Ingrid S. Watson, Chair
• Wala Blegay, Vice Chair
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY
• Wala Blegay, Chair
• Wanika Fisher, Vice Chair
PLANNING, HOUSING, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• Tom Dernoga, Chair
• Krystal Oriadha, Vice Chair
TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT
• Eric Olson, Chair
• Sydney Harrison, Vice Chair
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
• Wanika Fisher, Chair
• Sydney Harrison, Vice Chair
COUNCIL INTRODUCES FEDERAL WORKER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT
 Additionally, on Tuesday, Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) and Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) introduced a new bill aimed at helping former federal employees recently laid off by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). CB-24-2025, known as the Federal Worker Emergency Assistance Act, would provide a one-time stipend of up to $1,000 to eligible laid-off residents to be used specifically for rent or mortgage payments, utilities, or groceries. Under the bill, the county would also offer penalty-free property tax deferments of up to six months and free job training through Prince George’s Community College. Local businesses would also receive tax credits for hiring former federal employees. The bill was referred to the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee for further discussion.
TIEE COMMITTEE MOVES FAVORABLY ON PAIR OF PROPOSALS
  On Thursday, March 27, the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee moved favorably on CR-17-2025, a resolution proposed by Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) and Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), requesting the Public Service Commission (PSC) impose a moratorium on utility price increases for an indefinite amount of time. According to the proposed legislation, residents in Prince George’s County are facing unprecedented challenges in affording essential services and escalating utility costs are placing an undue burden on low- and moderate-income households. The resolution also requests the PSC conduct a comprehensive review of the factors contributing to the rate increases and explore ways to mitigate the financial strain on consumers.
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The Committee also moved favorably on CB-004-2025, a bill proposed by Council Member Eric Olson (District 3), to add non-commercial trailers to the list of vehicles barred from parking on county roads between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Illegally parked trailers would be subject to a $100 fine per day while in violation. |
COUNCIL EXPANDS ANACOSTIA HERITAGE TRAILS AREA COUNTYWIDE
 On Tuesday, the Council voted to adopt a resolution, CR-38-2025, proposed by Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large), which expands the Anacostia Heritage Trails Area to include the entire county. When the Anacostia Heritage Trails Area was established in 2001, it contained 83.7 square miles. It was expanded in 2017, but did not include any parts of Districts 7, 8, or 9. A 2022 feasibility study showed that expanding the heritage area countywide could provide benefits to newly included communities through increased tourism and tax revenues, more jobs, and greater recognition and publicity for the region.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS ‘RUBY BRIDGES WALK TO SCHOOL DAY’ STATE BILLS
 The General Assembly Committee, on Tuesday, voted to support bills in the state House and Senate, HB493 and SB1003, designating November 14 as “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day” each year. On November 14, 1960, at the age of six, Ruby Bridges became the first African American student in the south to attend an all-white elementary school. The bills would require the State Department of Education to design Ruby Bridges instructional materials, including age–appropriate lesson plans, discussion guides, historical documents, and multimedia resources.
The General Assembly Committee also received several briefings updating Council Members on the progress being made in Annapolis on bills supported by the Committee in recent weeks.
ENSURING ACCESS TO HEALTHY MEALS FOR STUDENTS REMAINS A PRIORITY FOR PGCPS
 On Monday, March 24, the Education and Workforce Development Committee was briefed by Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent Millard House and School Board Chair Brandonn Jackson (District 6), as well as School Board Members Robin Brown (District 5) and Dr. Phelton Moss (District 7), on the free school breakfast and lunch options being offered at 132 Prince George’s County Public Schools through the Community Eligibility Provision program. The Committee learned that dueling federal bills could either expand this program, or drastically reduce the number of eligible schools. PGCPS officials say it’s still too soon to know how their nutritional programs will be impacted by federal changes, but they are committed to doing everything in their power to ensure no student goes without.
The Committee also received a briefing on the 2024 Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) Performance Report which included an overview on FY 2024 accomplishments such as the hiring of PGCMLS’ new CEO Dr. Mark Winston, construction projects, and digital literacy programs to reduce the digital divide. Library officials highlighted signature programs, including Books to Birth and the Summer Reading program, and presented systemwide data to show increases in library visits, total cardholders, library events and programs.
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