Council Connection

FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS VISIT SOUTH KOREA FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRADE MISSION

Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8), Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), and Council Members Calvin Hawkins (At-Large), Eric Olson (District 3), and Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) are wrapping up a week-long economic development trip to South Korea, an initiative spearheaded by the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation. The Council Members went to Cheonan City, which has had an international friendship agreement with Prince George’s County since 2017, visiting the Cheonan City Industry Promotion Agency and the Smart Green Industrial Complex Control Center to witness smart city concepts addressing security, transportation, and other functions. They also visited Invest Korea Plaza, XR Studio, and Seoul City Hall. They attended the Cheonan World Dance Festival and met with Cheonan City Acting Mayor Kim Seok-pil, as well as other Korean representatives and diplomats, including Michael Kim, from the US Embassy to Korea. Council Members are strengthening global ties and working to find new ways Prince George’s County can partner with South Korea in the future.

COUNCIL MEMBER DERNOGA JOINS TOUR OF BARC FACILITY, CAMPAIGN TO SAVE IT

Council Member Thomas Dernoga (District 1) joined County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, and Glenn Ivey for a tour of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center on Monday, September 22. The group of elected officials spoke about the importance of the facility and launched a campaign to keep it operating in Prince George's County, pushing back against its planned closure by the Trump administration. Council Member Dernoga says the removal of the BARC would undermine U.S. agricultural innovation and harm countless farmers who depend on the research it provides.

COUNCIL MEMBERS TAKE PART IN CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS WEEK

As part of Congressional Black Caucus Week, Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) hosted a timely and urgent conversation highlighting the crisis Black workers and businesses are facing as federal jobs and contracts disappear. Hundreds of people turned out to Capitol Square Bar and Grill in Washington, DC on Wednesday night, September 24, for the event, Losing Ground: Federal Workforce Cuts & the Future of Black Enterprise. It featured keynote speaker and Florida Congresswoman, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, alongside a distinguished panel that included Jamar Brown, the executive director of Color of Change, and Ottis Johnson, national vice president of AFGE District 14. The panel was moderated by Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer. The program addressed the disproportionate impact of federal job cuts and contract losses on Black communities; the connection between federal employment, housing, and long-term wealth-building; the role of advocacy, labor, and business in creating solutions; and action steps to protect and expand opportunities for Black workers and entrepreneurs.

On Tuesday night, September 23, Council Members attended County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Black Tie Banquet at MGM National Harbor. This was the first time Prince George’s County hosted a CBC Week event. The banquet celebrated the county’s commitment to partnership, transparency, and people-first governance.

Later in the week, Council Members attended CBC receptions hosted by County Executive Braveboy and Senator Angela Alsobrooks.

GOFP COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS FY27 HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT RATE

To protect county homeowners from drastic property tax increases, the Council is working to set to the homestead property tax credit rate for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026. On Thursday, September 25, the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee favorably recommended CB-74-2025, a bill that would set the homestead tax credit rate at 103% for the third year in a row. The rate accounts for a 3% increase to the Consumer Price Index. The Council is required to enact a new rate each year by March 15.

September 30 - County Council  - 9:30 AM - DETAILS

October 1 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 4:00 PM - DETAILS

October 2 - PHED Committee - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

October 2 - HHSPS Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

Council Members hosted a public celebration marking the official end of the proposed Superconducting Maglev train project. The celebration was organized by Council Members Jolene Ivey (At-Large), Calvin Hawkins (At-Large), Ingrid Watson (District 4), Eric Olson (District 3), and Tom Dernoga (District 1), and included multiple state delegates and senators. The proposed high-speed rail project, which aimed to connect Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, faced strong pushback over concerns related to environmental impact, community disruption, and lack of local benefits.

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS-STAFFORD ATTENDS INDUSTRY & POLICY LEADERS LUNCHEON

Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) had the incredible opportunity to attend the Industry & Policy Leaders Luncheon at K. Neal Truck and Bus Center. The exclusive gathering brought together manufacturers, franchises, customers, and policy leaders to showcase the power of partnership in driving innovation, strengthening communities, and accelerating progress in the transportation industry.

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER PRESENTS PROCLAMATION TO MURDER VICTIM’S FAMILY, ATTENDS PARK POLICE COMMUNITY DAY

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) attended Dacara Thompson’s funeral and presented a proclamation on behalf of the County Council expressing the Council’s deepest condolences and desire to ensure justice is served. Thompson, 19, was found dead earlier this month, and a 35-year-old man was later arrested for her murder. Council Member Fisher also attended Park Police Community Day, acknowledging the strength, courage, and discipline that it takes to protect our county.

COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY CELEBRATES SUITLAND SERVICE CENTER, ATTENDS DISABILITY LISTENING SESSION, WELCOMES MATHNASIUM

Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) and Council Member Ingrid S. Watson (District 4) celebrated the White Rose Foundation’s newest Service Center in Suitland with a special ribbon cutting. They are excited to see all the great work that will grow from this new space. Council Member Ivey also attended the Annual Disability Listening Session hosted by the Commission for Individuals with Disabilities. Listening to residents and advocates share their experiences around housing, employment, and accessibility is so important as we work to make Prince George’s more inclusive for everyone. Finally, she welcomed a new business, Mathnasium, to Hyattsville. Mathnasium provides opportunities for children to build more confidence and develop their math skills.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY MEETS WITH NIGERIAN DELEGATION, JOINS PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS RUN

Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) had the honor of meeting with the Ondo State delegation from Nigeria. It was a wonderful discussion on opportunities for collaboration in the healthcare sector. Additionally, she and Council Member Ingrid S. Watson joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. for their Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk & Run.

COUNCIL MEMBERS VISIT FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER

Council Members Calvin Hawkins and Wanika Fisher visited the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, taking a tour, meeting the Board of Directors, and answering questions about taxes in the county.