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COUNCIL JOINS COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN RESOURCES
 
Just hours after the federal government shut down due to Congress failing to pass a new spending bill, Prince George’s County Council Members joined County Executive Aisha Braveboy for a press conference on Wednesday, October 1 to highlight a variety of resources available to Prince Georgians impacted by the shutdown. These services, provided by county agencies, nonprofits, and faith groups, including food and rental assistance, are outlined here. The County Executive also announced that utility companies serving the county have pledged to not shut off service during the shutdown. Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) acknowledged the frustration many of the county’s 70,000 federal workers and contractors are feeling, while assuring them the county government has their back.
“While there is dysfunction in Washington, there is a sense of collaboration, a sense of duty, a mutual respect and collaboration for the people of Prince George’s County on the local level,” said Chair Burroughs. “This county government is doing everything we can to support them, in spite of what’s happening in Washington.”
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COUNCIL CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
    In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, the County Council hosted Marimba Valle Verde, a student marimba ensemble from the Colegio Valle Verde Z15 in Guatemala, for a special cultural musical performance on Tuesday, September 30. The marimba is Guatemala’s national instrument and holds deep cultural significance as a vibrant expression of the country’s rich musical tradition. The group of students, ages 11-17, performed beautifully for Council Members, legislative branch staff, and residents. The Council awarded the group an official citation for their talents!
COUNCIL INTRODUCES 14 PIECES OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION
  Additionally, on Tuesday, September 30, the Council introduced 10 new bills and four resolutions. Several of the proposals targeted an improved business environment, job creation, and teacher incentives. Two bills proposed by Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large), CB-86-2025 and CB-88-2025, would reimburse developers 50% of permitting and application fees when a project is completed, if at least half the work is completed by county-based minority or locally owned businesses, and reduce county fees by 50% for people opening locally owned businesses in the county. Council Member Hawkins also proposed an expansion of the county’s Summer Youth Employment Program. CB-89-2025 would create a year-round employment program for underserved youth, offering jobs at county agencies or through partnerships with private companies.
CB-85-2025, introduced by Council Member Tom Dernoga (District 1), would establish an online portal where residents can track the status of their 3-1-1 service requests. It would also automatically alert Council Members when a request is made in their district. CB-87-2025, proposed by Council Member Hawkins, would create an annual $7,000 incentive to attract and retain national board-certified teachers at underperforming Prince George’s County Public Schools. It would also serve as an incentive for non-national board-certified teachers currently at those schools to earn their certification.
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PHED COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS BILL LIMITING DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANTS
  Citing health concerns, an existing abundance of fast food and drive-thru restaurants in the county, and traffic congestion caused by these establishments, Council Members Tom Dernoga (District 1), Wanika Fisher (District 2), Eric Olson (District 3), and Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) have proposed legislation limiting the development of future quick service drive-thru restaurants. On Thursday, October 2, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee favorably recommended the bill, CB-69-2025, which would permit quick service drive-thru restaurants only by special exemption in certain commercial zones. Restaurants with a pickup window used solely for carry out orders placed ahead of time, off site, would be exempt from this legislation.
HHSPS COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON FOOD INSECURITY, FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS HOMELAND SECURITY APPOINTMENT
On Thursday, October 2, Joe Liu, the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy with the Capital Area Food Bank, briefed the Committee on food insecurity. According to Liu, in Prince George’s County, food insecurity has hovered between 45% and 50% since 2022. He told Council Members that 41% of households affected by federal job losses are now food insecure and 44% of adult Prince Georgians reported their finances are worsening compared to last year. In Prince George’s County, three in five food insecure people are “severely” food insecure, and according to Liu, new federal legislation will reduce SNAP benefits by an average of $187 per month for 50,000 families in the DMV, while 116,000 people in the region are expected to lose Medicaid coverage.
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 Additionally, the Committee favorably recommended the approval of Dr. Katina Gomez as the Director of the county’s Office of Homeland Security. She has over 19 years of law enforcement experience, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Homeland Security for the Prince George’s County Police Department.
COUNCIL MEMBERS SECURE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP MOU IN SOUTH KOREA
 Upon returning home from a week-long economic development trip to South Korea, Council Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) announced the Council Members on the trip signed a memorandum of understanding with leaders in South Korea, aiming to generate high-paying jobs for Prince Georgians as well as economic development projects for both South Korea and Prince George’s County. Chair Burroughs was joined on the trip by Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and Council Members Calvin Hawkins (At-Large), Eric Olson (District 3), and Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5). It was an initiative spearheaded by the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation.
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 October 6 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 6:00 PM - DETAILS
October 7 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
October 7 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:30 AM - DETAILS
October 8 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS
October 8 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
October 8 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 11:00 AM - DETAILS
October 8 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 3:00 PM - DETAILS
October 8 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS
October 9 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
October 9 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM
Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.
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COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEND COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S FIRST 100 DAYS ADDRESS
   Council Chair Edward Burroughs (District 8), Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), and other members of the County Council attended County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s address celebrating her first 100 days in office. The event, held at Prince George’s Community College’s Center for Performing Arts, highlighted achievements, key initiatives, and delivered promises. Chair Burroughs spoke at the event, and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was in attendance as County Executive Braveboy announced a partnership with his AI start-up that will be available at 14 schools to help students expand their artificial intelligence skills.
COUNCIL MEMBERS FISHER AND BLEGAY CELEBRATE AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH
  Council Members Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Wala Blegay (District 6) had the honor of joining Gov. Wes Moore as he officially proclaimed September 2025 as African Heritage Month in the state of Maryland. They also attended the Celebrate Africa Festival in Bowie, fellowshipping with members of the African community.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARRISON SUPPORTS ANNUAL UNWINE FESTIVAL
 Council Member Sydney Harrison (District 9) was proud to attend and support the 2025 Prince George's County Parks & Recreation UnWine Festival, an event that drew crowds from across the region for a day filled with music, laughter, and great energy. Hosted at the beautiful Patuxent River Park, it featured tastings from local wineries, breweries, and cider makers, along with a lively lineup of performances. From the scenic backdrop to the delicious food vendors and artisan booths, this year’s UnWine Festival truly embodied the spirit of togetherness and celebration that makes our county so special.
COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY HOSTS PUBLIC OFFICIAL SECURITY TRAINING, ATTENDS MURAL RIBBON CUTTING
  Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) and PGPD Chief George Nader hosted elected officials from across Prince George’s for a Public Officials Security & Cybersecurity Meeting. With rising threats of political violence nationwide, it’s critical that leaders learn how to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe. Special thanks to Retired U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger and Maryland State Police Captain Gary Mounts for sharing their experience and insight. Council Member Ivey also joined the Town of Colmar Manor for the ribbon cutting celebrating the Streets of Solidarity Mural. In a location referred to as the “Dueling Grounds,” a place where long ago people settled scores with guns, the mural was created in a space that holds historical significance but is now reimagined with new meaning to stop gun violence and reflect the town’s values of peace and unity. Bravo to Operation ARTS Foundation Inc. and We Are Limitless Studios for this beautiful mural.
COUNCIL MEMBER DERNOGA JOINS VACCINE CLINIC
  Council Member Tom Dernoga and his District 1 team joined County Executive Aisha Braveboy at the High Point High School Back to School Vaccine Clinic, helping PGCPS families meet the immunization requirements as students return to school.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY CELEBRATES NIGERIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY, HOSTS LIBERIAN PRESIDENT, ATTENDS READING ROOM OPENING AND HEALTH ROUNDTABLE
   As a proud Nigerian American, Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) enjoyed celebrating the country’s 65th Independence Day at the Nigerian Center, an evening full of culture, pride, and unity. Council Member Blegay was also honored to host the President of Liberia in Prince George’s County at Redeemer Chapel. Additionally, she attended the grand opening of the new Reading Room at North Forestville Elementary School as well as the Health Roundtable at Martin’s Crosswinds, an event that brought together incredible experts and stakeholders to discuss reshaping the future of healthcare in Prince George’s County.
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