BOARD OF HEALTH MEETS TO ADDRESS PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE
    The Prince George’s County Council is working to address an alarming shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the county. On Monday, October 6, sitting as the Board of Health, Council Members heard from healthcare experts from the University of Maryland, Luminis Health, Howard University, and CCI Health Services about residents’ lack of access to primary care and analysis on what can be done to attract more primary care providers to the county. Currently, a single primary care provider in the county serves, on average, 2,020 Prince Georgians, 71% higher than the Maryland average of 1,180 residents per PCP. A recent study found the county has a shortage of around 1,050 physicians, including 574 primary care doctors. According to Dr. Leslie Jones, the chief medical officer at Howard University Faculty Practice Plan, 42% of Prince Georgians leave the county for medical care, and 37% of the county’s emergency room visits are “avoidable,” partly due to lack of primary care access, which unnecessarily drives up ER wait times.
COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS TO AID FEDERAL WORKERS, RESIDENTS FACING FORECLOSURE
In the wake of mass layoffs and an ongoing shutdown disrupting employment for federal workers and contractors in Prince George’s County, home to more than 70,000, the County Council is taking action to support those who have lost their jobs. On Tuesday, October 7, the Council adopted CR-124-2025, a resolution proposed by Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) to offer job training and employment assistance to laid off federal employees. The resolution calls on the county government and County Executive to provide priority hiring to county jobs for these residents. It also calls on Employ Prince George’s to establish a Federal Workers Job Recovery Initiative, offering free workforce training and career transition support to impacted Prince Georgians. Lastly, the resolution aims to establish a food assistance database, making it easier for laid off workers to connect with food banks and other food assistance opportunities in the county.
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 Additionally, on Tuesday, the Council adopted CR-120-2025, a resolution proposed by Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) aimed at alleviating the foreclosure crisis in the county. According to the resolution, at the end of the first quarter of 2025, Maryland ranked third in the nation for foreclosure rates, with approximately one in every 2,566 homes impacted by foreclosure. Prince George’s County had the highest volume of foreclosures in the state during that span, with 836 or 25.4% of filings statewide. With the passage of this resolution, the Council officially calls on Governor Wes Moore to impose a temporary moratorium on foreclosures, Maryland’s Attorney General to investigate the practices of mortgage lenders, and the General Assembly to enact legislation establishing a statute of limitations on mortgage foreclosures.
COUNCIL INTRODUCES BILLS TO ROLLBACK PIT BULL BAN, SUPPORT HIRING OF RETURNING CITIZENS
 After nearly 30 years of banning ownership of pit bulls in Prince Geroge’s County, the Council is taking steps to repeal that ban. On Tuesday, October 7, Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) introduced CB-97-2025, a bill that would institute a pilot program allowing residents to adopt or foster pit bulls from Prince George’s County Animal Control. The bill outlines a strict set of guidelines residents adopting or fostering pit bulls would be required to follow, including applying for a permit, completing a pet parenting class, and agreeing to reasonable compliance inspections of the dog’s living conditions by Animal Control officers.
Additionally, on Tuesday, Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large) introduced CB-96-2025, a bill promoting the hiring of formerly-incarcerated residents to help them re-enter the workforce, which can often times be very difficult. The proposed legislation would require 5% of hours worked on any new construction or public works, roadway maintenance, or property maintenance contract or procurement with a county agency be completed by one or more returning citizens.
EWD COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS PLAN TO IMPROVE LITERACY IN COUNTY
  To combat literacy challenges in the county, Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) has proposed the establishment of a Prince George’s County Literacy Commission through CR-88-2025. The Education and Workforce Development Committee favorably recommended the resolution on Monday, October 6. The 18-member commission would include representatives from PGCPS, Bowie State University, the University of Maryland, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, and several other education and literacy-based groups or nonprofits. The commission would work to identify literacy gaps among different age groups and communities in the county and design and implement programs tailored to the specific needs of both adults and students in need of assistance. The commission would be required to submit its initial recommendations to the Council by March 27, and final recommendations and plans to improve literacy by June 2.
TIEE COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS BILLS TO SHUT DOWN PUBLICLY PROMOTED HOUSE PARTIES, ESTABLISH ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE
  As large, unruly house parties continue to create neighborhood disturbances across the county, Council Members Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Sydney Harrison (District 9) are working on legislation to penalize those who publicly promote those illegal events. CB-80-2025 is a combination of bills proposed by both Council Members. It was favorably recommended by the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee on Thursday, October 9. The proposal aims to enact stiffer penalties for people who act as “promoters” for large house parties. Promoters who ignore orders from the Nuisance Abatement Board could face criminal charges and fines up to $5,000. The bill also calls for the creation of a system where Council Members can petition the Board with cases of repeated offenders in their districts.
Additionally, on Thursday, the TIEE Committee favorably recommended CB-81-2025, a bill proposed by Council Member Ingrid S. Watson (District 4), which would establish the Prince George’s County Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. The 10-person committee would be made up of animal experts from various non-profit organizations, veterinarian clinics, shelters, and more, and would advise the Council and County Executive and provide recommendations and best practices for managing animal shelters, fostering, rescues, disease prevention, and other key areas of animal and wildlife welfare.
“We need an Animal Welfare Advisory Committee that truly represents the voices of those who care deeply about our animals,” said Council Member Watson. “Animal welfare is not just a fleeting concern, but a lasting commitment. Together, we can create a brighter future for the animals that we cherish.”
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GOFP COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS PAIR OF BILLS SUPPORTING LOCAL SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESSES
  With the goal of promoting the growth and success of locally owned small and minority businesses in Prince George’s County, Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large) have introduced bills that received favorable recommendations from the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee on Thursday, October 9. Council Member Hawkins’ CB-88-2025 aims to reduce county fees by 50% for people opening locally owned businesses in the county as a means of encouraging and stimulating the growth of locally owned and operated companies. Vice Chair Oriadha’s CB-70-2025 seeks to amend existing code, that requires 50% of all business contracts, over $1 million, awarded by the county go to locally owned and operated businesses, county-based small businesses, or minority-owned businesses, to clarify that at least 15% of those contracts are awarded to minority-owned businesses.
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